Motorists are being encouraged to carefully note their MOT date after a number of drivers were caught with expired certificates.

Suffolk Police has sent out a warning to drivers as many are forgetting to renew their certificates.

The police are now encouraging motorists to either note down the date of their test or sign up to a new text service from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's (VOSA).

Inspector Bruce Gent, of Suffolk's Roads Policing Unit said: 'It is every individual motorist's responsibility to keep their vehicle insured, taxed and MOT'd.

'To 'forget' is no defence at law, and you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice. However, it is appreciated that MOT reminders are not routinely issued like vehicle tax and insurance.

'We would recommend drivers either sign up for this service or make their own note of when their vehicle MOT is due to expire to ensure this is done - otherwise you are likely to be stopped by police and will face having to pay the penalty.'

The cost of a fixed penalty notice for not having a valid MOT is �60, with unroadworthy vehicles hazardous to their owners and other road users.

For more details on the text service, that does charge, go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/index.htm