AQW 6321/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 04/09/2020
Answered On Date: 18/09/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) why driving instructors and students are unable to use facilities at test centres; (ii) whether she plans to reduce testing fees due to limiting this service; (iii) whether she will provide other shelter given that many test centres are out of town; and (iii) whether she would consider social distancing and other COVID-19-related measures to enable safe reopening of these services.

Answer:

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) has carried out an extensive review of its risk assessments to ensure that all relevant control measures relating to Covid-19 have been incorporated into its driver and vehicle testing processes. These have enabled MOT centres to safely reopen from 20 July, and practical car driver testing to recommence from 1 September. The DVA is providing the full practical driving test service and there are no plans to reduce testing fees at this time.

To mitigate against the risk of spreading Covid-19 and to meet PHA guidelines in relation to social distancing, it has been necessary for the DVA to take steps to reduce the number of people in its test halls and reception areas. Unfortunately, at this time it is not possible for the DVA to accommodate customers in its buildings during driving tests. This information was provided in the stakeholder information pack provided to Approved Driving Instructors. However, all customers will have access to toilet facilities at each site and the DVA is urgently exploring options to provide shelter that is safe and in line with risk assessments and public health advice.

I fully appreciate and accept this is far from an ideal situation. I would, however, stress that these temporary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff, which remains my priority at this time. I do, however, recognise that for driving instructors in particular, many of whom will regularly visit the DVA test centres, that a review of this position is required and DVA officials are urgently exploring options to identify practical solutions to this issue.

I am very conscious of the disruption and inconvenience being experienced by many of our customers at this time, I can assure you that the DVA is working to safely restore normal services as soon as possible. This includes considering any practical alternatives to keeping customers safe whilst tests are ongoing and updating their risk assessments and advising customers should current procedures be able to be changed.