MOT Certificates for Commercial Vehicles

Commercial vehicles on the public highway are required to pass an annual MOT test.

Using, or causing or permitting to be used, commercial vehicles on the public highway without a valid MOT is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can attract the attention of the police, DVSA, and/or the Traffic Commissioner. However, different classes of vehicles adhere to different MOT regulations.

If you are concerned about the validity of your fleet’s MOT status, speak to the road transport solicitors today to find out more about how we can help you and your business. Simply call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will give you a call back at a convenient time.

How JMW Can Help

Given the penalties imposed for failing to MOT your commercial vehicles, it is important that you get expert legal advice and representation as soon as possible from an expert road transport solicitor. Our team will be able to advise you on how to stay compliant with the relevant legislation surrounding MOT certificates for commercial vehicles, and can represent you at court if you are accused of committing an offence related to MOTs.

Our services include:

• Reviewing the allegations and the evidence
• Working closely with you to understand how the offences occurred
• Assisting you to put in place best practice policies and procedures
• Liaising with investigators on your behalf
• Representing you during any informal or formal proceedings

We will always seek to obtain the best possible outcome for you and your business.

Offences Related to MOT Certificates for Commercial Vehicles

Failing to keep track of a vehicle’s MOT status could result in prosecution if that vehicle finds itself out on the public highway. This potential prosecution may be brought against the driver for using the vehicle itself, but also potentially the operator if it can be shown that the operator caused or permitted that vehicle to be used on the public highway. 

A conviction or instance of a vehicle being out on the road without a valid MOT is something that would attract the attention of the Traffic Commissioner, who may ask for further details on how it came to happen and/or how the situation has been resolved. They may call an operator into a public inquiry to discuss the management of their operator’s licence, and our solicitors can represent you at that hearing.

When a vehicle has a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), it is important that this is clearly communicated to drivers and other members of staff to prevent the vehicle from being used on a public highway.

Arranging for a vehicle to be submitted for MOT once its certificate has expired can be costly and logistically difficult if repairs are required before it is submitted. It is therefore important that operators ensure they are aware of vehicle MOT expiry dates.

Additionally, putting a vehicle on the road without a valid MOT certificate could potentially invalidate the insurance on that vehicle, which could result in prosecution for putting a vehicle on the road without valid insurance.