AQW 25557/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 10/11/2021
Answered On Date: 25/11/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) to detail the number of new approved driving instructor licences that have been issued in each of the past five years, broken down by constituency; and (ii) for her assessment of current challenges affecting the training and licencing of new approved driving instructors.


Answer:
The number of new approved driving instructor licences that have been issued in each of the past five years, broken down by constituency, is set out in the table below:
Constituency
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
East Antrim
1
0
0
0
0
South Antrim
3
2
2
2
1
North Antrim
3
1
1
0
0
West Tyrone
1
2
2
0
0
Fermanagh & South Tyrone
1
2
1
0
1
Foyle
3
2
3
1
1
North Down
3
2
2
3
0
South Down
0
2
2
0
0
Strangford
5
4
1
1
0
Lagan Valley
2
0
1
2
2
Belfast South
2
3
2
0
0
Belfast North
1
2
1
0
0
Belfast West
2
2
1
2
0
Belfast East
0
1
1
1
0
East Derry
2
3
2
2
2
Upper Bann
1
0
1
2
0
Newry & Armagh
0
1
2
2
1
Total
30
29
25
18
8
The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is aware of an issue experienced by candidates wishing to book the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) theory tests, which has prevented their bookings being made. The DVA has raised the issue with the theory test provider, who developed a fix to resolve the problem, which was implemented on 4 November.
Unfortunately, while that release resolved the initial problem, testing conducted by officials in the DVA identified a further, unrelated issue affecting these bookings. This has been raised with the theory test provider, and the required fix is scheduled to be implemented on 3 December. In the interim, a workaround has been identified which will enable affected customers to book their ADI or AMI theory test.
DVA officials have contacted affected customers to advise and assist them with completing their theory test booking, for which additional test slots have been made available.
On successful completion of their ADI or AMI theory test, candidates will be able to apply for a practical driving test.