Telematics insurance provider welcomes a resumption for MOT tests in England
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced a resumption for MOT testing in England, Scotland and Wales from 1st August 2020; music to the ears of telematics insurance pioneer, insurethebox, whose stance on its necessity remains firm.
Previous guidance had outlined the 6-month extension for MOT certificates on cars, if the due date fell on or after 30th March 2020, and up to and including 31st July 2020, in an effort to halt the spread of Coronavirus.
The planned phasing-in of existing lockdown restrictions and re-opening of garages nationwide has likely forged the path towards the re-introduction of MOT testing; which means that if your MOT expires on or after 1st August 2020, you will not be privy to the aforementioned extension.
Kelly Wilkins, Head of Service at drive like a girl says: “We welcome the introduction of [MOT] testing; the onus of regularly checking a vehicle falls within the drivers remit, and as such, safety can be maintained by performing simple checks. However, the vast majority of drivers lack the expertise to identify significant issues and underlying problems a driver may encounter with their vehicle”.
The stipulation put forth by the DVSA for receiving the extension demands road users to keep their car roadworthy; failure to adhere to this could see drivers fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and receiving 3 penalty points for ‘driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition’.[1]
“It remains vital for our customers, and the wider UK population to be vigilant for problems with their vehicles; aside from penalties incurred for failing to maintain a vehicle, drivers who fail to conduct basic checks risk far worse consequences to theirs, and other road users lives”, says Kelly Wilkins.
Whilst many drivers will be exempt from MOT testing for a 6-month period, they may choose to voluntarily take an earlier date to ensure their vehicle remains roadworthy. Furthermore, if drivers notice a problem with their vehicle, or believe it to have a more-serious fault, they are urged to get it assessed as they usually would, prior to the pandemic.
Drivers abiding by self-isolating protocols are urged to seek alternative arrangements whereby their vehicle is collected and dropped-off by a local garage, or declare their vehicle SORN if they are unable to do so. The clear viewpoint of the Government is to keep road users and pedestrians’ alike safe through this resumption in testing, which insurethebox strongly believes can be managed by re-introducing this initiative.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Pihla Hellgren // Nathan Manley
Email: press@insurethebox.com
Notes to Editors
drive like a girl
Insure The Box Limited launched in June 2010 with its first product, insurethebox, and now holds over 5 billion miles of driving data and associated claims. As well as insurethebox and drive like a girl (another Insure The Box brand) it also administers other telematics offerings. drive like a girl is owned by Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe Limited, part of the major Japanese insurance group MS&AD Holdings, Inc. The group is taking a leading role in the development of technologies that will change the face of motor insurance and the way we view the car.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020#contents