Practical driving tests to be issued based on expiry of theory tests

Practical driving tests in the north have been disrupted due to the NI Executive regulations introduced to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “I recognise these are challenging times for us all and I appreciate the frustrations felt by learner drivers unable to take their practical driving tests at this time. My priority during this crisis continues to be to keep customers and staff safe while minimising disruption.

“In July 2020 I asked my officials to amend the Driving Licence Regulations to extend the validity of theory test pass certificates, which expire between March 1 2020 and October 31 2020 by eight months and the validity of off-road motorcycle test pass certificates. I have brought forward further legislation to extend the validity of theory test pass certificates.”

Learner drivers whose certification was previously extended by eight months have been issued with another four month extension, while anyone whose theory test certificates expire between November 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, and who had not already benefited from an extension, had their validity period extended by eight months.

The Minister said however that some customers’ theory test pass certificates will be coming to an end with some due to expire in the coming months. “I have instructed my officials to prioritise bookings for driving tests based on the expiry dates of theory test pass certificates when driving tests are able to resume at the end of this current period of restrictions.”

When driving tests are able to resume it is planned that the booking service will open in three phases. Phases 1 and 2 will prioritise learner drivers based on the expiry dates of their theory test certificates before the booking service is opened for all customers in Phase 3.

Around 21,000 customers hold a private car theory test pass certificate and have not yet booked a practical driving test. There are around 9,500 customers in Phases 1 and 2, whose theory tests will expire by 31 October 2021 and 31 March 2022 respectively and the DVA will contact these customers directly to advise them when they can access the booking system. The DVA plans to release additional slots in May, June and July to provide the capacity required.

A further update will be provided when customers will be able to book a test and the timing of the release of each phase will be kept under review as the Covid situation progresses.

Those customers whose tests were cancelled due to Covid restrictions have already been contacted by the DVA with an offer to reschedule their appointments. The DVA has already created additional test slots for February, March and April for those customers. The DVA is increasing its capacity by recruiting additional examiners and will be offering evening appointments from the spring.