To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of the significant lack of taxi drivers available to service demand as COVID-19 restrictions ease. whether she plans to review the entry procedures for taxi drivers, including the taxi driver theory test.

As you are aware, the Taxis (Northern Ireland) Act 2008 (the Act) provides the legislative framework for current taxi policy in Northern Ireland. The Act, having been approved by the Assembly, became law in April 2008 replacing previous taxi legislation including elements of the Transport Act 1967 and a number of Belfast City Council Bye Laws.

It is the cornerstone of current taxi regulation in Northern Ireland and was introduced with the purpose of giving passengers reassurance. Therefore, any relaxation or simplification to the current entry requirements would require further policy and legislative consideration.

Over the past year, there has been limited opportunity for first time applicants to apply for their taxi driver test due to Covid restrictions on driver testing. In addition, some existing taxi drivers, whose taxi licence expired during this period, may have decided not to incur the cost of renewing their taxi driver’s licence until the Covid restrictions were lifted.

Vehicle testing resumed for priority vehicle groups, including first time taxis, on 20 July 2020. From 10 March 2021, the DVA also resumed testing for taxis that qualified for the regulatory easements I introduced, which allowed for the automatic renewal of taxi vehicle licences, free of charge and without a prior test for a period of 12 months. The DVA has also resumed practical driving tests and theory tests for all categories, including taxi drivers, on 23 April 2021.

My officials have already met with industry representatives to discuss these matters and will continue to do so.