To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether he is aware that some drivers from Northern Ireland are being told by their insurance companies that they cannot drive in the Republic of Ireland due to their MOT being out of date, despite having a Temporary Exemption Certificate; and (ii) how he has engaged with (a) insurance companies; and (b) the Irish government in relation to his plans.

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.

This automatic process will be implemented from late-May onwards and once TECs have been applied this will extend the MOT certificate by 12 months from the expiry of the current MOT. This will allow motorists to continue to drive the vehicle legally, if it is kept in a roadworthy condition, is taxed and insured. This will also include driving in other jurisdictions such as Britain and the South.

The DVA has consulted with the PSNI and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) who both understand the need to introduce measures to reduce waiting times. Both organisations have also confirmed they will continue to apply the current mitigations that are in place for customers who cannot secure an MOT appointment before their current certificate expires.

The view of the ABI is that a lack of a valid MOT certificate due to delays in the MOT testing regime here would not necessarily invalidate insurance but customers who find themselves in that situation are advised to check their policy documents or speak to their insurer.