TWO new lifts are to be installed at MoT test centres in Belfast and Derry in a bid to minimise disruption caused by faulty equipment.
Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon said yesterday that the lifts had been pre-ordered at the end of last year as "part of a programme to increase capacity within the testing network" however their "deployment" had now been "accelerated due to the current disruption".
She said she hoped the new lifts would be operational "within the next few days."
The news comes as serious disruption has been caused to MoT testing around Northern Ireland after defective lifts were found at test centres.
An inspection detected "signs of cracking" in 48 of 55 lifts.
This then led to MoT apppointments being cancelled.
Taxis and four-year-old cars with expired MoT certificates are being prioritised for tests while Mrs Mallon has ordered two independent reviews into the Driver and Vehicle Agency crisis.
It is understood each lift could cost £30,000 to £40,000 to replace.
Tests have been continuing as usual on heavy goods vehicles and buses, which do not need lifts.
Other car owners with cancelled appointments are be issued with an MoT exemption certificate extending their current certificate for four months, allowing them to tax vehicles.
However, exemption certificates cannot be created for four-year-old cars or taxis.
Announcing two new lifts yesterday for Belfast and Newbuildings in Derry, Mrs Mallon said: "These lifts will be independently inspected and checked before becoming operational.
"More information will follow on when and how these two new lifts will be operational but I expect that to be possible within the next few days," she said.
“I have instructed the DVA that they are to be focussed on testing taxis and four year old cars for private customers and also car dealerships in the first instance. I have also instructed the DVA to speak with the Federation for Small Businesses to ensure clear communication is being delivered. I have already ensured that all other customers can be covered by the issue of temporary exemption certificates.
“My Department is not responsible for the clamping of vehicles, that is the DVLA. However, the DVA has communicated to the DVLA that customers unable to tax their vehicles due to this disruption should not be penalised.
Meanwhile, the PSNI said yesterday that it was encouraging its officers to "exercise discretion" while the issue remains unresolved.
"Driving without vehicle tax is not prosecuted by PSNI and is the remit of DVLA," said a spokesman.
"Where a police officer detects a vehicle without tax and it is outside of the 14 day grace period provide in the legislation, a referral is made to the DVLA.
"Given these exceptional circumstances where PSNI detects a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate, providing the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition, officers would be encouraged to exercise discretion".
