To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether he is considering re-introducing MOT exemption certificates.

For the latest information on MOTs I would ask you to encourage your constituents to visit NI Direct at Book, view, change or cancel an MOT/ vehicle test | nidirect. This information is also included as an advice note with every MOT Reminder Letter issued to DVA customers. The advice confirms if a customer gets to within five days of the expiry date of their vehicle tax and they have been unable to secure an MOT appointment, or their vehicle tax has expired, they should contact the DVA Customer Services team at dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk, and they will do their best to get an urgent appointment for the vehicle. To date, all customers who have contacted the DVA in these circumstances have been offered an earlier appointment slot.

The circumstances that provided for the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to issue Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) have significantly changed, along with the return of normal testing services. As the DVA is now providing testing capacity at pre-Covid levels it is important, from a road safety perspective, that all vehicles are tested at the earliest opportunity. As such, there are no plans to issue further TECs at this time.