Penalty Points for No MOT? 2026 Update for Fleets

By the Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026

Are there penalty points for no MOT? Not yet. Driving without a valid MOT can currently mean a fine of up to £1,000 but no points. A government consultation launched on 7 January 2026 asked whether that should change. Here's where things stand for fleet managers, and how to stop a lapsed MOT happening on your fleet.

What is the penalty for driving without an MOT today?

GOV.UK says you cannot drive or park a vehicle on the road once its MOT has run out, and you can be prosecuted if caught. The fine is up to £1,000. The only exceptions are driving to or from somewhere to be repaired, and driving to a pre-arranged MOT test. Northern Ireland has different MOT rules.

The government's consultation document lists "a vehicle's roadworthiness (no MOT)" among the offences that "do not carry extra penalties, such as penalty points or vehicle seizure".

A failed test is a separate matter. If a vehicle fails because of a "dangerous" problem, GOV.UK says driving it can bring a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

What did the 2026 consultation propose?

The Department for Transport published Proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences on 7 January 2026, the same day as its Road Safety Strategy. The strategy says people who drive without an MOT "are a safety risk not only to themselves but to other road users".

The consultation asks:

• Question 29: should there be penalty points for driving or using a vehicle with no current MOT?
• Question 30: should there be vehicle seizure for the same offence?
• Questions 31 and 32: should points and seizure also apply to vehicles with no current vehicle tax?

On seizure, the government says it would mirror the existing powers for uninsured driving, with police discretion. The document "does not present a preferred option" and suggests no number of points for no MOT.

Is the no MOT penalty points change law yet?

No. The consultation ran from 7 January to 11:59pm on 11 May 2026, after the closing date was extended on 16 February. When we checked the consultation page on 14 October 2026, it read "We are analysing your feedback" and no outcome had been published, even though the document promised a summary of responses "within 3 months of the consultation closing". Until any change becomes law, the current fine-only penalty applies.

Why does a lapsed MOT on a company van matter?

The offence isn't limited to the driver. Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 covers anyone who "uses on a road" a vehicle without a valid test certificate, or who "causes or permits" it to be used. An employer that sends out a van with an expired MOT can also be liable.

There's a knock-on effect too: GOV.UK says you cannot renew vehicle tax while the MOT has expired.

The Road Safety Strategy also says the government "expects the employers or engagers of anyone driving or riding for work" to make sure they are as safe as possible. It estimates that about 1 in 3 UK road deaths involve someone driving or riding for work.

How can fleets avoid driving without a valid MOT?

• Know every due date. Most cars and vans need a first MOT by the third anniversary of registration, then every year. You can check MOT history to see when a vehicle's MOT expires.
• Book early. GOV.UK says you can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.
• Use more than one reminder. GOV.UK offers free MOT reminders one month before a car or van MOT is due. Fleet Track PRO's MOT and tax reminders show DVLA MOT and tax status on every vehicle record. See also our guide to MOT expiry tracking for fleets.
• Act on a fail. If a test lists a "dangerous" problem, GOV.UK says the vehicle must be repaired before it is driven.

What should drivers check between MOTs?

An MOT lasts a year, and GOV.UK notes the test does not cover the engine, clutch or gearbox. DVSA's van walkaround guidance says "you're responsible for making sure your van is safe to drive" and tells drivers to do a walkaround check before the journey. Drivers for businesses with an operator licence should record and report defects, including "nil" defects, and DVSA can ask for the record at a roadside check.

A van check app records named, timestamped checks with photos, and lets drivers report defects for the manager to review. Read our guide to pre-use checks for company vehicles, or try the interactive demo.

This article is general guidance based on official sources current at the time of writing, not legal advice. Always check the latest official guidance.