When you receive your driving licence, you take on the responsibility of ensuring that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy. You pay car insurance to protect you should anything go wrong, as well as paying road tax, which goes towards the maintenance of the roads we drive on. Due to how often you use your car each year, a valid MOT certificate is required to prove that your car is roadworthy and meets the standard road safety requirements in Northern Ireland.
Find out more about MOT testing in this blog. At H McPartland & Son Solicitors we offer expert advice on motoring and traffic offences in Northern Ireland. If you have a motoring offence query, contact our experienced team today to discuss in confidence.
Is It Illegal To Drive Without A Valid MOT?
NI Direct states that: “It is an offence to use a vehicle of MOT test age that doesn’t have a current test certificate on a public road.”
Your insurance may also be invalid without an up to date MOT certificate meaning that you won’t be covered for anything caused by a road traffic accident whilst driving a vehicle with an invalid MOT.
If you are driving your car home from the test centre where your car failed, driving your car to the garage to get it fixed or driving to your new MOT test, you must have the related documentation to prove this should the police stop you when you are driving without a valid MOT.
The MOT Test and How To Prepare
At your MOT test, the overall safety and environmental status of your vehicle will be checked.
The following is a list of what your car can be tested on during its MOT:
- The condition and functionality of the car’s window wipers
- Lights including, interior bulbs, sidelights, full beam lights, fog lights and indicators
- The tread depth on each tyre, tyre pressure and wheel condition
- Side and rear view mirrors
- Oil and fluid levels
- Brakes
- Bodywork
- Doors, including the bonnet and boot
- Exhaust and emissions
- Horn
- Seatbelts
- Steering
- Tow bar (if applicable)
- Window mobility
Your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate will also be cross-checked with relative paperwork during your MOT test.
To prepare for your MOT test, you will need to make sure that the above is in clear working order or you will risk failing and having to re-book an MOT appointment. If you’re unsure if your vehicle is MOT ready, be sure to visit your local garage or mechanic who can help you to get your vehicle ready for its MOT.
How To Check MOT Certification
You can check the status of your MOT certificate online here. All you need to have is a note of your vehicle registration number to get started. Once you have checked the status of your MOT certificate, be sure that you have your car checked if it’s nearing expiry and organise to get an MOT booked before the expiry date.
Your car will need to be retested every year on the anniversary of your last MOT test to ensure its roadworthiness.
H McPartland & Sons are professional and reliable motoring offence solicitors who can offer expert advice on a number of motoring or driving offences. We are fully qualified and have recent experience in handling all driving offences and road traffic incidents, including:
- Speeding
- Driving accidents and collisions
- Drink driving cases
- Parking tickets
- Traffic offences and appeals
- Driving endorsements
- Incidents of driving without insurance
- Cases of driving whilst using a mobile phone
- Dangerous or careless driving offences
If you would like to discuss in confidence an issue relating to a motoring or driving offence, please contact us today.
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