Three month delay for North’s MoT test bookings

MoT centres in Derry and across the North of Ireland are continuing to tackle a backlog in appointments after testing was suspended several times in the last two years.

Drivers are facing significant delays of up to three months when trying to book a slot, with some unable to secure an MoT test until after their certificate has expired.

MoT tests in the North of Ireland were first suspended by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in January 2020 due to safety concerns about faulty equipment being used during the tests.

Cracks were found in 52 of 55 lifts being used at testing sites.

In the months that followed, tests were only being carried out for heavy goods vehicles, motorcycles, buses and priority vehicles, while others were issued with exemption certificates.

Then Covid-19 hit, bringing another halt to MoT tests in March 2020.

Testing resumed in stages from June 2020, at a reduced capacity due to social distancing measures, before returning fully in July 2021.

Temporary Exemption Certificates are no longer being applied.

A new online booking system was set up in September 2021 to deal with the backlog that built up from January 2020, but it initially faced technical problems and created further delays.

Two years later, many people are still reporting long waits for appointments.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said it does not currently hold information to enable it to accurately report the average waiting times for vehicle tests “given that this position changes on a regular basis”.

According to the current availability on DVA’s online booking system, the majority of motorists are facing a three-month delay for an MoT, unless a cancellation appears.

If your MoT has expired you are advised to book a vehicle test immediately, if you haven’t already done so.

Due to high demand for testing services, the department is advising people to book the earliest available test appointment for their vehicle, even if it is after your MoT has expired.

If this is the case, the DVA consult with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to make them aware of the situation.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “If they get to within five days of their MoT expiry date, contact [email protected] and DVA will do their best to secure an urgent appointment for their vehicle.

“To date, all customers who have used this process and contacted the DVA in these circumstances have been offered an earlier appointment.”

Drivers will not be fined as long their car is roadworthy, insured and does not have a statutory off road notification (SORN) and they can show proof of an MoT booked for a future date.

Proof can be an MoT notification, either in electronic or paper form.

However, drivers should adhere to guidance issued by the PSNI and ABI.

In the event police encounter an untaxed vehicle, so long as they can ascertain that a vehicle is roadworthy, properly insured, has a forthcoming MoT test date and does not have a SORN, then police will not take any further action.

The PSNI says every driver has a responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy.

If officers detect any vehicles being used in a dangerous condition, they can consider issuing rectification notices, fixed penalties, prosecution or, in the most serious cases, prohibit further movement and seize any offending vehicle.

Police, insurers and the department all advise drivers to continue to service their vehicle and carry out basic checks, such as looking out for brake wear, ensuring lights are working and regularly checking tyre pressure and tread depth.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has confirmed that the lack of a valid MoT certificate will not invalidate a motor insurance policy.

An ABI spokesperson said: “Insurers recognise that this is a worrying time for everyone and will take a pragmatic view until the delays to the DVA testing system are resolved.

“Where motorists in Northern Ireland have a confirmed MoT appointment, they should not be prejudiced by their lack of a valid MoT certificate.

“This applies regardless of whether they wish to renew with their existing insurance provider or are looking to take out a policy with a different insurer.”

The association said motorists should keep trying to book a test with the DVA, even if the date falls after when their certificate expires.

When MoT tests resumed fully in July 2021, slots returned to their former 20-minute allocation per vehicle.

A department spokesperson said the DVA increased its vehicle testing capacity by introducing a range of measures including recruiting additional vehicle examiners, making additional slots available daily at some test centres and offering tests on Sundays and on bank holidays at some sites.

Latest statistics from 1 September to 31 December 2021 show the DVA conducted 264,540 full vehicle tests, which is 8% more than the five-year average for those months.

In October, the DVA received 95,555 applications for a full test, just over 1,902 more than in September.

In the same month, the DVA conducted 73,554 full vehicle tests, just over 28% more than the previous month and 6% above the five-year October average (69,531).

Private cars accounted for 82% (60,180) of all full tests conducted during October.

The Department for Infrastructure says it is unable to anticipate how long it would take to resolve the issue, but said a number of measures were in place to try to reduce waiting times.

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