In England MOT test centres will remain open during the third national lockdown, announced by Boris Johnson on January 4th 2021. The new, stricter restrictions mirror those seen during the first lockdown, but the Government says that MOT services will remain operational, unlike last year when MOT test centres were forced to close their doors, and drivers were granted a six-month MOT extension from March 30, 2020.

That extension ended in August 2020. All cars, motorcycles or vans that were due an MOT test from August 1 now required to get a test certificate at an MOT test centre.

MOT test sites remained opened during the second lockdown last year, as garages “learned from their experiences from the first time around and have strict procedures in place that have enabled them to stay open for business.

Despite being allowed to remain open, MOT and service centres were inundated with bookings before the second coronavirus lockdown restrictions came into force.

Vehicle hire and service maintenance and repair (SMR) services will also remain open during the third lockdown, alongside petrol stations, motorway service areas, car parks, automatic (but not manual) car washes, bicycle shops and taxi services.

However, the Government has confirmed that driving tests and driving lessons have been suspended from January 5, until the restrictions are lifted.

The Governments “gov.uk” website says it will email candidates who are affected to “let them know we will reschedule their test”.

All theory tests have also been suspended until the restrictions are lifted and anyone affected will be contacted by gov.uk.