AQW 25557/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) to detail the number of new approved driving instructor licences that have been issued in each of the past five years, broken down by constituency; and (ii) for her assessment of current challenges affecting the training and licencing of new approved driving instructors.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 10 November 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 10 November 2021
- Answer due by
- 25 November 2021
- Answered
- 25 November 202115 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The number of new approved driving instructor licences that have been issued in each of the past five years, broken down by constituency, is set out in the table below:
| Constituency | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
| East Antrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Antrim | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| North Antrim | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| West Tyrone | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fermanagh & South Tyrone | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Foyle | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| North Down | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| South Down | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Strangford | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lagan Valley | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Belfast South | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Belfast North | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Belfast West | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Belfast East | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| East Derry | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Upper Bann | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Newry & Armagh | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 30 | 29 | 25 | 18 | 8 |
The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is aware of an issue experienced by candidates wishing to book the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) theory tests, which has prevented their bookings being made. The DVA has raised the issue with the theory test provider, who developed a fix to resolve the problem, which was implemented on 4 November.
Unfortunately, while that release resolved the initial problem, testing conducted by officials in the DVA identified a further, unrelated issue affecting these bookings. This has been raised with the theory test provider, and the required fix is scheduled to be implemented on 3 December. In the interim, a workaround has been identified which will enable affected customers to book their ADI or AMI theory test.
DVA officials have contacted affected customers to advise and assist them with completing their theory test booking, for which additional test slots have been made available.
On successful completion of their ADI or AMI theory test, candidates will be able to apply for a practical driving test.