What must you have when you apply to renew your vehicle excise licence?

Related Information

What is an MOT certificate?

You will be given an MOT certificate once you have successfully passed the MOT test. It verifies that your vehicle complies with all legal requirements for environmental and road safety. MOT tests are typically required once a year (as long as your vehicle is older than 3 years).


Do you still get a paper copy of an MOT certificate?

After the test is finished, you will still get a paper copy of your MOT certificate. You can typically view MOT tests online by going to GOV.uk and typing your registration number into the search bar. Once you've input your V5C number (the 11-digit number that can be found in your vehicle logbook), this will then bring up information about your past MOT tests and the history of your vehicle. You may then retrieve old certificates. However, it's crucial to keep your paper MOT certificate since this will be required when you sell your car to potential purchasers or when you take out an insurance claim on your vehicle.


Is it possible to drive without an MOT certificate?

Typically, it is forbidden to operate a vehicle without a current MOT certificate. There are a few exceptions to this, though:

- If you're traveling to a scheduled MOT test

- If you are traveling to a scheduled appointment to get your car fixed

Outside of these situations, however, you are not allowed to drive without a current MOT certificate because doing so is not only very risky but may also get you fined.


What happens if your MOT has expired?

You cannot renew your vehicle tax when your tax is due to run out.