To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the rationale why some motorists are notified that they are not permitted to drive on an expired MoT certificate if they cannot secure a test before their expiry date, while extending the validity of the tests of others.

Since vehicle testing was suspended in late March 2020 due to Covid-19, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has applied Temporary Exemption Certificates (TEC) to all eligible vehicles to ensure that they may continue to be driven legally on the road. From 20 July 2020, MOT testing resumed for priority vehicle groups, including those vehicles not able to avail of TECs. The DVA has steadily increased its vehicle testing capacity by adopting a range of measures including the recruitment of additional vehicle examiners, the use of overtime to provide cover for leave and sick absence and a reduction of the vehicle test time.

The DVA is delivering vehicle testing at all 15 of its test centres. While there is sufficient capacity for customers to book a vehicle test appointment, it may not always be possible to book a test at their preferred test centre, and they may have to travel to an alternative centre to secure a test before their current test pass certificate expires.

Demand for vehicle testing is high due in part to customers, who do not require a test, booking an appointment. To manage capacity, the DVA is currently identifying and removing these customers from its booking system. It also makes additional vehicle test slots available daily at most centres and further slots may also become available due to cancellations. Customers are able to change existing appointments to a different test centre if a slot becomes available. The DVA is also offering vehicle test appointments on a Sunday at most test centres, and there will soon be additional testing capacity at the Newbuildings test centre to meet demand in the north-west.

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, I recently announced that existing TECs for qualifying vehicles will be extended by a further four months. This applies to private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles aged 4-9 years, with TECs which will expire between 26 March 2021 and 25 March 2022. Four year old cars and motorcycles and three year old light goods vehicles due a first time test between the above dates will also have a four month TEC applied.

New TECs or extensions to existing TECs will be applied automatically to allow vehicles to be taxed. Customers do not need to do anything until they receive a reminder notification from the DVA to present their vehicle for test.

The DVA is also identifying those customers who have booked a vehicle test but which now qualify for a TEC. The DVA will remove these test appointments in order to free up more capacity across the network, and offer these tests to those customers whose vehicle test certificate is due to expire.

Like all public facing services, the Covid-19 restrictions mean that the DVA will continue to adapt its services to ensure that they can be provided safely and they would ask customers for their patience at this difficult time.

It is my priority to ensure that our staff and customers remain safe and the DVA will continue to be guided by the latest public health and scientific advice as we work as quickly as we can to serve all our customers.