If your vehicle is three years or older, you must follow the law and undergo an annual safety check known as the Ministry of Transport test - commonly referred to as an MOT. The purpose of this is to make sure a vehicle meets the basic safety level required to run on British roads, ensuring that you, other road users and pedestrians are all protected.

This MOT guide will give you the basic understanding you'll need when you have your first test as a driver, which could be very soon

If you've just bought a car - it is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle of choice is examined every 12 months, after all. If you do not have an up-to-date MOT test certificate, you could face a fine. If the vehicle is part of an accident, you could be asked to produce an MOT certificate and an insurance claim is usually affected by the lack of an MOT, especially if there is injury caused.

Without passing all criteria to get a MOT certificate for the year, you will not be allowed to drive your car or renew a road fund license. What's more, it's not something you can evade in the same way as many could in days gone by; the computerisation of the MOT testing system means both police and camera units can remotely check to see if your vehicle is road legal under the rules of the Ministry of Transport.

During the MOT test, a nominated tester authorised by the government's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(VOSA) will conduct an inspection alongside a number of checks around the vehicle, addressing the inside, outside, engine block and chassis. All results are thoroughly recorded and, should the vehicle pass, a VT20 pass certificate is given to the driver. However, if the vehicle does not meet the standards set out by the government, it will be given a VT30 - the "failure" document. Any developing or questionable issues will not result in failure - instead, they will be recorded as "advisory items".

An MOT can be booked up to 28 days in advance of its due date and the expiry date on your new MOT is 12 months following the expiry of the previous one, so bear in mind that you could have an MOT that last for 13 months. When you have booked a vehicle in for the MOT, take your Vehicle Registration Document(the 'V5' document) and bring your method of payment with you. If your vehicle fails, you will have to make the necessary repairs before you are on the road once again.