AQW 13467/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 26/01/2021
Answered On Date: 04/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what contingency plans she is making to bring forward legislation to extend Temporary Exemption Certificates beyond 12 months if COVID-19 restrictions limit the DVAs capacity to undertake all scheduled MOTs.

Answer:

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) resumed vehicle testing on a phased basis from 20 July 2020 and from January 2021 has reinstated testing for those vehicles whose 12 month Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) are due to expire.

In light of the ongoing Covid restrictions, the DVA is considering a range of options to enable it to manage the demand for testing across its network particularly given the increase in demand from late March onwards. One option under consideration is extending TECs beyond the twelve month period to ensure all vehicles can legally be kept on the road.