To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) when the backlog in MOT testing will be fully addressed; (ii) what further measures his Department can take to enable people to access test appointments at their local testing centre before the expiry of their MOT certificate.

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has steadily increased its vehicle testing capacity to pre-Covid levels by adopting a range of measures including the recruitment of additional vehicle examiners, the use of overtime to provide cover for leave and by offering vehicle test appointments on a Sunday and bank holidays, when testing is not normally available. The DVA is monitoring the number of applications received and tests carried out and expects waiting times to reduce over time through the actions they have taken to increase vehicle testing capacity across the network.

The DVA continues to experience significant demand for vehicle testing services and in some cases customers may not be able to have their vehicles tested before their current MOT certificate expires. In such cases, customers must book the earliest available test appointment for their vehicle, which may mean travelling to another test centre instead of their preferred location. The DVA releases short notice vehicle test appointments on a daily basis to ensure testing can be delivered when staffing availability is confirmed. Customers are encouraged to regularly check the booking system as they may be able to change their existing appointment to a different test centre and time if a slot becomes available.

The latest information on MOTs is available on NI Direct at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/book-view-change-or-cancel-mot-vehicle-test and is also included as an advice note with every MOT Reminder Letter issued to their customers.

The DVA will continue to work hard to reduce vehicle testing waiting times as quickly as possible.