Image caption Currently, all cars must be tested annually

Classic and historic vehicles are to be exempted from yearly MoT tests, the government has announced.

Vehicles manufactured before 1960 will no longer have to have to pass an MoT from 18 November, Roads Minister Mike Penning said.

The vehicles make up about 0.6% of the total number of licensed vehicles in Britain but are involved in just 0.03% of road casualties and accidents.

It follows a campaign by the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group.

Mr Penning said the government was committed to cutting out red tape which cost motorists money "without providing significant overall benefits".

"Owners of classic cars and motorbikes tend to be enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well - they don't need to be told to look after them, they're out there in all weathers checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork," he said.

"Owners of classic vehicles will still be legally required to ensure that they are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road but scrapping the MoT test for these vehicles will save motorists money."

'Costly and absurd'

The campaign was led by East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight, who said he was "delighted" by the announcement.

"Accidents involving historic vehicles are extremely rare and the majority of owners are meticulous in keeping their vehicles in good condition. Having to have an annual MoT test for a vehicle which may only travel a few hundred miles in a year was costly and absurd."

AA president Edmund King said: "Cutting the red tape of an MoT requirement for classic pre-1960 cars is a victory for common sense."

At present vehicles must undergo their first MoT once they have been on the road for three years and then be retested annually.

Earlier this year, the government dropped plans to reduce the frequency of MoT tests, which would have involved delaying a car's first MoT from three years to four, and then having tests every two years instead of each year.

Road safety campaigners argued reducing the frequency of MoT tests for cars could lead to an increase in road deaths.