To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the rationale for choosing the specific ages of private vehicles to be eligible for Temporary Exemption Certificates.

From 1 June 2024, private cars first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, which have a valid MOT issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) will have a one-year Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC) automatically applied from the date their current MOT certificate expires.

Historically, the youngest vehicles presenting for test have had the highest pass rates. As legislation requires that private cars must have an initial roadworthiness test when they are 4 years old these cars are ineligible to receive a TEC. I have therefore limited the eligibility criteria to younger cars which have a valid MOT certificate in place. Vehicle licensing information shows that around 115,000 cars may be eligible for a TEC, which should make a notable improvement to waiting times.

I appreciate that external factors can negatively impact the DVA’s plans for service delivery. A 12-month gap between the registration dates of the two eligible groups of cars will provide flexibility for the review of the use of TECs in the future.

I am satisfied that the selected dates ranges for TECs strikes the right balance between managing waiting times and the impact on road safety.

As road users we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe. Vehicle owners also have a legal responsibility for maintaining their vehicles in a roadworthy condition, regardless of MOT status.