To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for her assessment of when the MOT booking system and backlog will return to pre-pandemic levels; and (ii) to detail any modelling that has been done on this.

From 26 July 2021, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) reinstated normal vehicle test times, and this has increased capacity across the network of test centres. From 1 September to 31 December 2021, the DVA conducted 264,540 full vehicle tests, which is 8% more than the five-year average for those months.

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 appointment time. The DVA is also offering vehicle test appointments on a Sunday and bank holidays, at most test centres. Following conversion of an adjoining building at the Newbuildings test centre, additional testing capacity is now available to meet demand in the north-west. The DVA are monitoring the applications received and tests carried out and expect waiting times to reduce over time through the actions they have taken to increase vehicle testing capacity across the network.

The DVA implemented a new online booking system in September 2021 to replace the previous booking system, which was 20 years old. The new system provides an improved experience for customers by simplifying the MOT and driving test application process through the introduction of easy to use screens, with clear guidance on how to complete the booking process.