Northern Ireland

MOT testing: One-year temporary exemption certificates to be introduced to reduce waiting times

Around 115,000 cars will be eligible for the one-year temporary exemption certificates

Some motorists are waiting months for a test date
One-year temporary exemption certificates are to be introduced in Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)
By Suzanne McGonagle

One-year temporary exemption certificates (TEC) are to be introduced in Northern Ireland in a bid to reduce MOT waiting times.

Around 115,000 cars will be eligible for the TECs under plans announced by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd.

The temporary exemptions will apply to private cars first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, which have a valid MOT certificate issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

The TECs will come into effect from June 1 2024 and will be automatically processed by the DVA, allowing motorists to continue to legally drive their vehicles as long as they are roadworthy, taxed and insured.

Mr O’Dowd also said he will consider launching a public consultation on MOT testing every two years for private cars, light goods vehicles under 3,500kg and motorcycles.

The changes announced on Tuesday come amid a continuing MOT backlog, which has seen motorists currently waiting up to 72 days to secure a test, while there has also been delays in opening new test centres at Hydebank and Mallusk.

Mr O’Dowd said: “DVA staff have been working around the clock to tackle an increasingly high demand for MOT tests due to a growing population, a higher proportion of households with access to a vehicle and more older cars on the road.

“In each of the last two years, the DVA conducted more than 1.1 million vehicle tests - the highest numbers ever recorded.

“Indeed, there were just seven days in 2023 when the DVA did not offer MOT appointments.

“A recruitment process is under way to help fill vacancies across DVA’s network of test centres and efforts have been made to reduce the number of no shows - approximately 50,000 customers failed to attend a booked appointment in each of the last two years, which places additional demand on this service.

“Unfortunately, despite these best efforts, waiting times remain high.

MOT closures
The changes come amid a continuing MOT backlog, which has seen motorists currently waiting up to 72 days to secure a test

“TECs will give the DVA time to relieve exceptional pressure on the system by completing the recruitment process and progressing new MOT centres at Hydebank and Mallusk, which will provide the capacity to test more than 200,000 additional vehicles annually.”

Mr O’Dowd also said the DVA is developing proposals for new test centres at Campsie and Enniskillen.