MoT delays: John O'Dowd outlines proposals to address issue

The infrastructure minister has outlined measures aimed at tackling MoT waiting lists in Northern Ireland.

John O'Dowd said more than 50 newly recruited examiners would start working in test centres from June.

He also said he would explore introducing temporary exemption certificates and proposals to test vehicles every two years.

Mr O'Dowd was speaking during an assembly debate on the issue on Monday.

"The DVA currently has 55 MoT examiner vacancies across its network of test centres," the minister told MLAs.

"It has received 133 applications in its recent vehicle examiner recruitment competition. It is anticipated that successful candidates will begin to be posted to test centres from early June and this will provide additional capacity for vehicle testing."

He said he had asked the DVA to release additional appointments for these new recruits as soon as possible.

"In addition, anyone who cannot secure an appointment before their tax expires, or their tax has already expired, have been advised to contact the DVA customer services team for an urgent MoT appointment," he said.

"The DVA currently asks customers to contact them within five days of their tax expiry date but I can confirm that, with immediate effect, the DVA is extending this window to 10 days to provide more flexibility for customers and reduce any anxiety.

"I have asked officials to urgently consider a range of other policy options including testing every two years and exemption certificates. I will provide an update on these after Easter."

The chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) said motorists face an average wait of 72 days for tests.

Mr O'Dowd has ruled out privatising MoT tests, similar to Great Britain, to address the issue.

He said it would take work and jobs from "valued public servants".

A Stormont motion from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) called for Mr O'Dowd to bring forward an "ambitious and costed plan" to address the backlog, cut waiting times, deal with "no shows" and ensure fairer access for those who are disadvantaged.

It also stressed the importance of "fair and timely access" to testing, and that it is unacceptable for motorists to face lengthy delays in securing an appointment.

Monday's motion noted the effect delays are having on those "living and working in our communities", including rural areas and businesses.

In addition, it highlighted the "costly and protracted delays in opening new testing centres at Mallusk and Hydebank" and expresses concern at increased fees for testing "in the absence of tangible progress toward ramping up capacity".

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, chair of Stormont's Committee for Infrastructure, said it was "well past the time that this issue should have been dealt with".

She told assembly members the issue was "of extreme importance to the people" and that it was "a simple ask for people to be able to book an MoT".

Ms Erskine said the issues should be dealt "significantly and in a tangible way", adding that "every option" should be considered.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) tabled an amendment to the motion, calling for biennial tests - or tests that take place every two years - for cars less than 10 years old.

The party's infrastructure spokesperson Mark H Durkan told the chamber long waiting times hade left motorists feeling "frustrated".

"I have received more messages ahead of this debate than any other issue this week - the current system is proving stressful for everyone that owns a car," he said

"MoT centres are busier than ever and the public servants working there are at full pelt trying to get as many appointments through the doors as possible."

He added: "I want to place on record my appreciation for the additional work they've undertaken these last few years. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the waiting list remains too long."

Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds said drivers should not be asked to travel long distances for an MoT test, as happens due to availability issues at closer centres.

"These are completely unnecessary car journeys - a friend messaged me to say he was booking his annual MoT and there was no appointments across Northern Ireland - and jokingly said he thought about getting the ferry to Stranraer," Mr McReynolds said.

UUP MLA John Stewart said the situation was no longer one of frustration for drivers, but "full fury".

"People want to know that there will be a solution for all of those people unable to get a test booked," he added.

"Even within the 72-day average, unless you can invent a nine day week it still won't improve the issue."

Independent Unionist MLA Alex Easton agreed that effectively "forcing" people to travel across Northern Ireland was unhelpful.

He said there was "no doubt the system is broken".

Delays for MoTs began in late-2019 when cracks were found in vehicle lifts across Northern Ireland's MoT centres. A report later found cracking in 48 out of 55 lifts.

A further backlog was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

But the DVA's chief Jeremy Logan said "changed customer behaviour" is responsible for the current pressure, with more customers holding onto their cars for longer and more cars on the road.

Mr O'Dowd said DVA staff were working to reduce waiting times by increasing its capacity.

However, delays to the opening of new test centres in south Belfast and Mallusk could push back the DVA's hope of testing an additional 200,000 vehicles per year.