Yahoo News MOT Northern Ireland: Key date for introduction of one-year temporary exemption certificates
Next month will see a major change for some car owners in Northern Ireland. It's one of the latest steps by Stormont's Infrastructure Minister to address significant MOT test waiting times across NI.
Last month, John O’Dowd announced the introduction of one-year temporary exemption certificates (TECs) for some private cars to help reduce MOT waiting times.
From June 1, 2024, one-year temporary exemption certificates (TECSs) will be implemented for some private cars. They will apply to vehicles first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, with an existing valid MOT certificate issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
READ MORE: Details of one-year temporary exemption certificates to reduce MOT waiting times
READ MORE: How to book an urgent MOT test in Northern Ireland when your tax expires
This means that these vehicle will not need an MOT for 12 months from the date their current certificate expires. This allows motorists to continue to legally drive their vehicles as long as they are roadworthy and are taxed and insured.
Vehicle licensing information shows that around 115,000 cars may be eligible for a TEC. You can check your vehicle’s date of first registration in the vehicle logbook (V5C).
If the vehicle was first registered within the dates above and currently has a valid MOT certificate in Northern Ireland (not expired), you do not need to do anything.
If you have a vehicle test appointment already booked, and the current MOT certificate has not yet expired, you do not need to do anything.
The DVA will cancel your appointment, refund the vehicle test fee, and send an additional supplementary email with the new expiry date, along with the cancellation and refund receipt emails.
Minister O’Dowd has also confirmed he will consider launching a public consultation on Biennial MOT testing (testing every two years for private cars, light goods vehicles under 3,500kg and motorcycles), subject to resources being available across the Department.
Mr O’Dowd said: “DVA staff have been working around the clock to tackle an increasingly high demand for MOT tests due to a growing population, a higher proportion of households with access to a vehicle and more older cars on the road. In each of the last two years, the DVA conducted more than 1.1 million vehicle tests- the highest numbers ever recorded. Indeed, there were just seven days in 2023 when the DVA did not offer MOT appointments.
“A recruitment process is under way to help fill vacancies across DVA’s network of test centres and efforts have been made to reduce the number of no shows - approximately 50,000 customers failed to attend a booked appointment in each of the last two years, which places additional demand on this service.
“Unfortunately, despite these best efforts, waiting times remain high. TECs will give the DVA time to relieve exceptional pressure on the system by completing the recruitment process and progressing new MOT centres at Hydebank and Mallusk, which will provide the capacity to test more than 200,000 additional vehicles annually.
“DVA is also developing proposals for two new test centres at Campsie and Enniskillen.
“By introducing TECs, I have sought to strike the best balance between improving service delivery and minimising any risk to road safety. As road users we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe and, regardless of TECs, it remains our responsibility to ensure our cars are in a roadworthy condition.”
What happens on June 1st?
TECs will be given automatically. You will not receive a paper or digital copy.
A vehicle will not get a TEC if:
the vehicle was not registered within the dates above
the vehicle was registered within the dates above, but the MOT has expired
the vehicle has a valid MOT, but was last tested outside Northern Ireland
These vehicles will still require an MOT and you should book an appointment.
If you are not sure if your vehicle will get a TEC or not, you can fill in this enquiry form.
You can find out more here.
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