To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the number of HGV licences issued for each month of the previous five years; and (ii) what plans she has to increase the number of HGV tests that are available.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) does not report on a monthly basis the number of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Licences issued. However, I would refer you to the DFI Driver, Vehicle, Operator and Enforcement Published Statistics on the DFI website. The published statistics, issued quarterly, contain details on the total number of Group 2 licences issued. The Group 2 category includes both HGV and Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licences issued.

The statistics also detail the driving licence stock and that provides information on the total number of licence holders who hold entitlement to drive vehicles in the HGV category.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) has, and continues, to work hard to increase its capacity to help meet the high demand for driving tests for all customers, including those customers seeking a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving test.

Standing appointments for LGV driver training schools were reinstated on 23 April, when driver testing resumed after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions by the Executive. This arrangement allows the LGV training industry to better plan their driver test appointments.

The DVA continues to offer LGV tests on a Saturday and at certain centres on Sundays, where it is suitable to do so without compromising the integrity of the test. However, uptake from the industry, particularly on Sundays has been lower than expected given the demand for these types of tests. Overtime is also used to rota off-shift dual role driving examiners to provide further capacity. The DVA is also progressing plans to increase the number of LGV examiners to address the current demand for LGV testing.

Through increasing its capacity in the first four full months since driving tests resumed on 23 April, the DVA has conducted 1,290 LGV driving tests, which is 65% higher than the five-year average for that period.

I remain committed to minimising disruption and ensuring our plans for the restoration of services is in hand. However, all driving test services across these islands are experiencing high demand with longer than usual waiting times and we would ask customers for their continued patience.