Yes, you can drive your car to a garage for a pre-booked MOT test or repairs without a valid MOT certificate, but only if you meet specific legal conditions. This is a common exemption under UK law. The journey must be to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage for repairs required to pass the MOT. Driving for any other reason, even if you believe the car is roadworthy, remains illegal and can result in a fine, points on your license, or your car being impounded.
The key is proving your intent to the police if you are stopped. You must be able to show evidence of a pre-booked appointment, such as an email confirmation or a receipt. The most direct route is the only permissible one; you cannot make detours for groceries or other errands. Furthermore, your car must be insured and you must hold a valid driving license. The vehicle itself should be in a roadworthy condition for that specific journey. Driving a car that is clearly dangerous, even to a garage, could lead to prosecution for driving without due care and attention or for having a dangerous vehicle.
It's also worth noting that if your car has a dangerous fault, the safest option is often to have it towed. While the law provides this exemption, the responsibility to ensure the journey is safe remains with you, the driver.
| Exception Condition | Legal Requirement | Evidence You Should Have | Potential Risk if Not Met |
|---|
| Pre-booked MOT Test | Driving to the test center for the appointment. | Email, text, or paper confirmation of the booking. | Fine, penalty points, vehicle seizure. |
| Repairs for an MOT | Driving to a garage for work required to pass the MOT. | Invoice or communication from the garage stating the required repairs. | Fine, penalty points, vehicle seizure. |
| Direct Route | Taking the most reasonable and direct path to the destination. | Your route should be justifiable as the shortest/safest path. | Could be interpreted as using the car for an unauthorized journey. |
| Valid Insurance | The vehicle must be insured for your use. | Insurance certificate or cover note. | Fine, points, and possible vehicle seizure. |
| Roadworthy Condition | The car must be safe to drive for that specific journey. | A subjective assessment by a police officer if stopped. | Prosecution for driving a dangerous vehicle. |
