To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, with regards that there is insufficient capacity to facilitate booking and conduct of Motor Vehicle Tests, why the decision was taken to end issuance of Temporary Exemption Certificates for four year old vehicles.

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) conducts periodic motor vehicle tests in compliance with the Roadworthiness Directive 2014/45/EU (“The Directive”). The Directive stipulates the minimum test frequency for motor vehicles, and provides for cars to be first tested from four years old and at least biennially thereafter.

Article 2(2) of the Directive provides for the frequency of testing to be altered under ‘exceptional conditions’ and the DVA has relied on this provision to defer the testing of motor vehicles affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the related withdrawal of testing services. However, with the phased reinstatement of vehicle testing services the DVA can no longer rely on this provision to defer the testing of four year old cars in particular, and as a result, the testing of those vehicles resumed on 1 September. Vehicles in this category with a 6 month Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC) will be called for test when their TEC expires.

My officials are continuing to carefully monitor staffing levels to ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet the demand for vehicle testing across the test centre network.