Update to driving and theory tests

Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh has received an update from DFI Minister Nichola Mallon on driving and theory tests following a number of concerns he raised on behalf of constituents.

The West Tyrone MLA said, “I welcome the Minister’s response to the concerns I have been raising with her in relation to driving and theory tests.  Details of the response include that:

“The DVA has opened up the booking system exclusively for those customers whose tests were cancelled between October 17 and November 20.

“Testing slots have been released for February and additional booking slots have also been made available in December and January as the DVA increases capacity by recruiting additional examiners.

“The DVA is working on proposals to reopen the booking service for the customers impacted by the circuit breaker restrictions and will contact these customers directly to confirm arrangements.

“When the DVA is in a position to reopen the booking service for all other customers they will issue further communications through indirect and social media channels, and write to all Approved Driving Instructors to confirm this position.

“When testing resumes the DVA will continue to offer driving tests on a Saturday and following consultation with key stakeholders is planning to offer driving tests for Heavy Goods Vehicles on Sundays, where it is suitable to do so without compromising the integrity of the test.

“The DVA will also use overtime to rota off-shift dual role driving examiners to provide additional capacity and to provide cover for scheduled driving tests.

“The Minister will be bringing forward further legislation to extend the validity of theory test pass certificates.

“Theory test pass certificates which have already been extended by eight months and will expire from 1 November 2020 onwards, will have their validity period extended by a further four months.

“In addition, theory test pass certificates which expire between 1 November 2020 and 30 June 2021, and which have not already benefited from an extension, will have their validity period extended by eight months. “