MOT due date calculator
An MOT lasts a year, and you can get the next one up to a month (minus a day) before the current one runs out without losing any time: the new certificate runs a year from the old expiry date, not from the day of the test. Enter the date your MOT runs out to see the earliest day to book it.
What happens if I get my MOT early?
If you get an MOT more than a month (minus a day) before the current one runs out, the new one runs a year (minus a day) from the date of the pass, so you lose the time left on the old certificate. A test inside the window keeps the existing renewal date.
When does a new car need its first MOT?
A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, and every year after that. Some vehicles, such as ambulances and taxis, need one at a year old.
What if the MOT has run out?
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a car without a valid MOT, and the insurance may not be valid either. The only exceptions are driving to a test booked in advance or to a garage for repairs needed to pass.
Find a car's MOT expiry date
Do not know when the MOT runs out? Enter the registration for the expiry date and the car's full MOT history, free.
MOT date questions
How early can I get an MOT?
You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before the current one runs out and keep the same renewal date. For example, if it runs out on 15 May, the earliest date is 16 April.
Can I get an MOT more than a month early?
Yes, but the new MOT then runs from the date of the test rather than the old expiry date, so you lose the time that was left.
Does a car need an MOT in its first three years?
No. A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. It still needs tax and insurance from new.
Last updated 11 November 2026. MOT rules: GOV.UK, Getting an MOT. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.