MOT exemptions to take effect from March 30

New Department for Transport (DfT) legislation will offer the grace period to allow critical workers to continue with essential travel.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID-19 are able to do so.

“Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine.”

Once the new rules are in place vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition and drivers can be prosecuted if their cars are deemed unsafe.

Mr Shapps said: “Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.”

If your vehicle is due for an MOT before March 30 you will still need to get it tested. Check whether garages are operating in your area with our garage search tool.

The DfT is working with insurers and the police to ensure self-isolating drivers who are unable to get to a test centre, are not unfairly penalised.

Government advice maintains that motorists must stay home unless leaving for food, health reasons or work that cannot be completed from home.

Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation or holidays.

Failure to take these steps could put additional pressure on services that are already at risk.

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Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have also been suspended by the DfT.

The Coronavirus crisis has already affected roads policy in London, where mayor Sadiq Khan has suspended the Congestion Charge and Low Emissions Zone.

The move is designed to help NHS staff and critical workers to get to work and keep the capital functioning.

The RAC is working hard to rescue customers wherever they break down.