AQW 15456/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/02/2021
Answered On Date: 05/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the various price brackets for the renewal of driving licences; (ii) the prices of any additional mandatory tests that are required for certain drivers, for instance, eye and other medical tests; and (iii) the equivalent costs for drivers in (a) England; (b) Wales; and (c) Scotland.

Answer:

Renewal of a Northern Ireland Group 1 driving licence (a licence to drive cars and motorcycles) is charged at £30 where the applicant is aged less than 70 years at the time of application. Where the applicant is aged 70 years or more, or where the licence is restricted in duration due to a medical condition, a renewal licence is issued free of charge.

Renewal of Group 2 licences (licences to drive goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles) costs £20.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) does not require Group 1 applicants to undertake medical or eyesight tests when making renewal applications. All applicants are required to confirm, by way of self-declaration, that they meet the relevant standards of fitness to drive.

Group 2 licence holders must undergo medical assessment at each renewal from age 45 years. The licence applicant’s GP will normally be the doctor completing the medical assessment report. The fees charged by the doctors are outside the remit of DVA.

In GB, Group 1 renewal licences are charged at £14 when renewed online or £17 when renewed by post. Renewal licences are issued free of charge for applicants aged 70 years or more, or where the licence has been restricted for medical reasons. Group 2 licences are issued free of charge. The same medical assessment regime exists in GB as it does in NI.