To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on when practical driving tests will resume.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) reinstated some driver testing services in July for those licence categories, where testing can be done safely in line with Public Health Agency advice and guidance on social distancing requirements. This includes motorbike driver testing from 6 July and tests for drivers of buses, tractors and module 4 CPC tests for lorry, bus and coach drivers from 20 July.

On 28 July, I announced that the DVA plans to resume practical driving tests for cars and lorries from 1 September, initially prioritising those requests from key workers followed by those customers whose tests were cancelled due to lockdown. The DVA will continue to work with staff and Trade Union side in the coming weeks to ensure the risk assessments for these driving tests take full account of all relevant public health advice and guidance to ensure the safety of all during the testing process. These changes will be communicated to driving instructors and learner drivers as soon as possible.

There is likely to be a significant demand for driving tests when all services are reinstated and while the DVA will endeavour to facilitate appointments at the earliest opportunity, initial waiting times for driving tests will be longer than usual. In order to help mitigate the impact on customers, I recently announced plans to amend the Driving Licence Regulations that will allow an eight month extension to the validity of theory test pass certificates, which expire between 1 March and 31 October 2020 and a 6 month extension to the validity of off-road motorcycle test pass certificates, which expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020.