To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on (i) current MOT waiting times; and (ii) efforts being made to (a) reduce waiting times; and (b) enable drivers to get a booking at their closest test centre.

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) does not currently hold information to enable it to accurately report the average waiting times for a vehicle test given that this position changes on a regular basis. However, as of 21 March 2022, the DVA has confirmed that just under 48,000 vehicle test appointments were available across its network of centres up to 30 June 2022.

From Monday 26 July 2021, the DVA reinstated normal vehicle test times, and this has increased capacity across the network of test centres. From 1 September 2021 to 28 February 2022, the DVA has conducted 414,700 full vehicle tests, which is 10% 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.

DVA officials have consulted with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Association of British Insurers to make them aware of the current position regarding MOT appointments and appropriate mitigations have been put in place. The DVA’s advice to customers who require an MOT to tax their vehicle and cannot secure a date before the MOT expires or have been advised by their insurer that they will not be covered if their vehicle does not have a valid MOT certificate is:

book the earliest available appointment;

keep checking the booking system for an appointment before their MOT expires.

If they get to within five days of the expiry date of their tax and they have been unable to secure an MOT appointment or their tax has expired, contact dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk and the DVA will do their best to secure an urgent appointment for their vehicle. To date, all customers who have contacted the DVA in these circumstances have been offered an earlier appointment slot.

This information is available on NI Direct Book, view, change or cancel an MOT/ vehicle test | nidirect and is also included as an advice note with every MOT Reminder Letter issued to our customers. The DVA have confirmed that any customer requiring an MOT to tax their vehicle will be given priority.