To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) what plans she has to extend the two-year validity period of theory test pass certificates for those learner drivers whose theory tests expire after 31 October 2020; and (ii) whether any extension will be backdated to include anyone whose theory test expired from 1 November 2020 onwards.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 have been amended to allow an eight month extension to the validity of theory test pass certificates, which expired between 1 March and 31 October 2020 and a 6 month extension to the validity of off-road motorcycle test pass certificates, which expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020.

Further legislation will be brought forward and put in place to help further mitigate the impact on customers due to the cessation of practical driving tests as a result of the latest Covid restrictions.

Theory test pass certificates which have already been extended by eight months, will have their validity period extended by a further 4 months. In addition, theory test pass certificates which expire between 1 November 2020 and 30 June 2021, and which have not already benefited from an extension, will have their validity period extended by eight months. There is no requirement to further extend the validity period of off-road motorcycle test pass certificates as these tests have continued to be delivered from 6 July 2020.

Customers whose certificates expire between the relevant dates do not need to do anything: their certificates will be automatically extended, and customers will be able to book a practical driving test when the service reopens on 21st November 2020.