Warnings that the Andy Burnham government is considering tougher penalties for driving without a valid MOT, including penalty points and immediate vehicle seizure, have triggered a surge in bookings. New data from BookMyGarage, a UK comparison site for MOTs, servicing, and repairs, reveals a 60% year-on-year rise in overdue MOT bookings, with nearly 1 in 5 (17.74%) bookings involving a vehicle that was already overdue when booked or became overdue by the appointment date.
The surge follows reports that the government is planning to release the results of its Road Safety Strategy consultation this month. The Department for Transport is contemplating harsher penalties for a range of offences, including not having a valid MOT, driving without insurance, cases where a vehicle owner cannot be identified, and the use of 'ghost' or cloned number plates.
Drivers failing to plan ahead
Analysis of over 350,000 bookings from BookMyGarage shows a clear drop in advance planning. A year ago, nearly six in ten drivers booked their MOT at least four weeks before expiry. Over the latest three-month period, that figure fell to fewer than four in ten. Specifically, those booking their MOT four weeks early fell from 59.3% to just 38.1% over the past year.
Additionally, 1 in 4 (26%) motorists now book their MOT after 10pm for a next-day appointment. This trend reflects modern drivers' expectations that vehicle maintenance should fit around their busy schedules, according to Jessica Potts, Chief Marketing Officer at BookMyGarage.
Expert warns of stricter penalties
Jessica Potts commented, “Modern drivers expect vehicle maintenance to fit around their busy schedules. Around 26% of motorists now book after 10pm for the following morning, with 54% of our partner garages providing rapid same-day or next-day MOT slots to keep drivers safe and legal on the road.
“Our data suggests that timely reminders can have a significant impact, with customers who receive a prompt currently 55% less likely to miss their MOT deadline. This shows drivers are not intentionally ignoring their responsibilities but simply forgetting.
“While we never encourage leaving safety checks until the last minute, our data shows how vital round-the-clock access has become. Drivers should be aware that the government is considering stricter penalties for driving without a valid MOT, including the introduction of penalty points and the possibility of vehicle seizure.
“Once your MOT has expired, you can only legally drive your car to a pre-booked test or a garage for repairs, and it must remain insured. Driving without a valid MOT risks a £1,000 fine and can invalidate your insurance if you are involved in an accident.”
Consultation and government plans
The Department for Transport's consultation ended on May 16, with a promise to publish responses 'within three months' and to amend legislation 'later this year', meaning the next stage should be reached by August 16. The policy examines various areas including drink and drug driving, medical fitness to drive (encompassing mandatory vision tests for those aged over 70), and non-compliance with seatbelt regulations.
One aspect under scrutiny pertains to incidents that may necessitate harsher penalties. The consultation highlighted: “Police and road safety groups have told the government they are concerned that some offences do not carry extra penalties, such as penalty points or vehicle seizure.”
These offences include: a vehicle's roadworthiness (no MOT), where no current keeper is identifiable, and incorrect, altered, or false number plates that prevent justice from being done.
Combating criminal exploitation
The policy suggests that changes are needed as criminals are exploiting legal loopholes. It stated: “It's harder for police to identify who is using a vehicle because some offenders go to great lengths to hide who owns it or who was driving - this makes it harder for the police to keep the public safe and pursue offenders.
“There is a significant amount of evidence of disguising a vehicle's true ownership to avoid compliance with vehicle excise duty requirements and other payment requirements for the use of certain roads. This places an additional burden on those law-abiding drivers when revenue shortfall to the treasury due to fraud has to be made up.
“The police currently have the powers to seize a vehicle from those driving while uninsured, or not in accordance with their driving licence. The use of this power has to be proportionate and allows police to use their discretion not to seize where they feel that is an appropriate decision based on the merits of each situation.”
Insurance penalty disparity
Concerning motor insurance, the Government has pointed to the disparity in penalties between making fraudulent declarations to obtain motor insurance and driving without cover altogether. At present, while the false declaration offence could result in jail time and fines if pursued through the courts, most instances do not - and there exists no system to impose penalty points or ban the motorist.
By comparison, the punishments for driving while uninsured include a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points, or should the matter reach court, an unlimited fine and/or a driving ban. For failing to possess a valid MOT, the Government is consulting on stricter penalties including issuing points and confiscating the vehicle.
Next steps
A summary of responses will be published this month, the DfT said, ahead of the government moving to 'amend the legislation later this year'. The full consultation document is available for review.
