With the UK emerging from the lockdown that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, you might be wondering what it means for motorists. Can you, for example, still drive your car? What about getting petrol, or if your car needs an MOT? Here you’ll find answers to these questions and more.
This advice is based on Government and NHS guidance about how to slow the spread of coronavirus in the UK.
Can I Still Drive My Car?
Technically speaking, driving was never banned during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. Guidelines stated that we were only to use our cars for essential travel, but as the lockdown is eased we have more freedom to get back out on the road. Indeed, government advice states that we should avoid using public transport for the time being and either drive, cycle or walk to wherever we’re going.
In England, people can now exercise outdoors as often as we like, whereas during the peak of the lockdown we were only allowed out to exercise once per day. The new rules also permit people to drive anywhere in England for outdoors exercise, as long as they return home on the same day. Wales and Scotland still have stricter rules on outdoor exercise.
Getting Petrol During the Coronavirus Crisis
If you’re using your car, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll have to full up with fuel at some point. When doing so it’s still important to follow guidance around washing your hands – or using hand sanitiser – before and after picking up the petrol pump, as well as using disposable gloves if you have access to them (these should be thrown in the bin after the refuelling is complete). Using self-service payment pumps where available will also help you to comply with guidance around social distancing.
The same approach applies when charging your electric car. The aim of these measures is to help minimise the chance of germs being spread.
The following measures, which impact motorists, were also temporarily introduced during the coronavirus crisis:
- Driving tests were suspended. Driving theory tests were suspended up to and including 31 May 2020. The practical element of the driving test was suspended for up to three months from 20 March 2020. Read more about driving tests during the coronavirus crisis.
- If your work was deemed critical to the COVID-19 response you could still get an emergency driving test if required. The same applied to those working in what the Government defined as a critical sector, namely health and social care, education and childcare, key public services, local and national government, food and other necessary goods, publish safety and national security, transport, utilities, communication and financial services.
- MOTs were extended by six months for those cars, vans or motorcycles that needed an MOT from March 30th 2020 onwards. Drivers were still required to keep their vehicle in roadworthy condition..
- Charges for the London Congestion Zone, Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) were temporarily suspended, but then reintroduced.
- You still needed to tax and insure your car during the coronavirus crisis.
For more information, follow these links to the Government’s stay at home guidance, and the NHS advice on coronavirus.