AQW 10078/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 11/11/2020
Answered On Date: 25/11/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the current operating capacity of MOT centres across Northern Ireland; (ii) the number of MOT staff that are currently trained as driving examiners; and (iii) what discussions she has had with the Driver and Vehicle Agency regarding the potential for using those MOT staff who are qualified as driving instructors to be used in that capacity to relieve the backlog of driving test applications.


Answer:
From 20 July, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) resumed MOT testing, at all test centres, for priority vehicle groups, including those vehicles that are not able to avail of a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC). This includes taxis and buses due a first time test, vehicles not previously registered in Northern Ireland, vehicles whose MOTs have expired by more than 12 months that includes vehicles previously declared SORN and those sold by car dealerships. By this time, all MOT test centre staff were back at work.
From 1 September, MOT testing for four year old cars and motorbikes and three year old light goods vehicles also resumed and for those vehicles in this category that currently have a 6 month TEC, they will be called for test when their TEC expires. In addition, the DVA recommenced testing of heavy goods vehicles, trailers and buses.
Due to the adaptions made to vehicle testing processes, to ensure the necessary and proportionate control measures are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, whilst all MOT staff are working in test centres, the current capacity for vehicle testing is approximately 30% in comparison with levels prior to the pandemic and the lift issues. The DVA is currently working on proposals to increase its vehicle testing capacity in the coming months.
Driving instructors were included in the Executive’s regulations on businesses that closed from 16 October until 20 November to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Following this Executive decision, driving tests also ceased over this period of increased restrictions based on public health and scientific advice. Driving tests resumed on 21 November but will cease again for 2 weeks from 27 November to 10 December 2020 due to the circuit breaker restrictions announced by the Executive. Motorcycle lessons and tests are not affected by these restrictions.
The DVA has opened up the booking system exclusively for those customers whose tests were cancelled between 17 October and 20 November. Testing slots have been released for February and additional booking slots have also been made available in December and January as the DVA increases capacity by recruiting additional examiners. The DVA is working on proposals to reopen the booking service for the customers impacted by the 2 week circuit breaker restrictions and in due course will issue further communications to customers through nidirect and social media channels.
The DVA currently has 37 driving examiners and 40 dual role examiners who conduct both vehicle and driving tests. The DVA plans to use the dual role examiners to help meet the demand for driving tests over the coming months.
When testing resumes the DVA will continue to offer driving tests on a Saturday and following consultation with key stakeholders is planning to offer driving tests for Heavy Goods Vehicles on Sundays, where it is suitable to do so without compromising the integrity of the test. The DVA will also use overtime to rota off-shift dual role driving examiners to provide additional capacity and to provide cover for scheduled driving tests, where due to a variety of unforeseen reasons such as sick absence or the requirement to self-isolate, driving examiners are unable to attend work.
To help further mitigate the impact on customers due to the cessation of practical driving as a result of the latest Covid restrictions, I will be bringing forward further legislation to extend the validity of theory test pass certificates.  Theory test pass certificates which have already been extended by eight months and will expire from 1 November 2020 onwards, will have their validity period extended by a further four months.  In addition, theory test pass certificates which expire between 1 November 2020 and 30 June 2021, and which have not already benefited from an extension, will have their validity period extended by eight months.
The DVA acknowledges that learner drivers are keen to take their driving tests at the earliest opportunity and will continue to work hard to maximise the availability of test slots. However, all driving test services across these islands are experiencing high demand with longer than usual waiting times. Like all public facing services, the Covid-19 restrictions mean that the DVA has had to adapt its services to ensure that they can be provided safely and they would ask customers for their patience at this difficult time.
It is my priority to ensure that our staff and customers remain safe and the DVA will continue to be guided by the latest public health and scientific advice as we work as quickly as we can to serve all our customers.