More driving tests to begin again in September
And additional MOT services will be brought back
Plans have been announced to resume further driver and vehicle tests from September.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said the Driver & Vehicle Agency intends to resume further MOT testing services as well as practical car and lorry driving tests from September 1.
Some vehicle testing resumed earlier this month after being stopped amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The DVA now plans to resume testing for additional categories including four-year-old cars and motorbikes, three-year-old light goods vehicles and testing of heavy goods vehicles, trailers and buses.
These customers will be sent a reminder letter with details of how to book a test.
Meanwhile, practical car and lorry driving tests will also resume from September 1, initially prioritising those requests from key workers followed by those whose tests were cancelled due to lockdown.
The DVA will contact these customers directly to arrange appointments.
Ms Mallon said the DVA will continue to work with staff and trade unions in the coming weeks to ensure testing is conducted in line with public health advice and guidance.
She said "significant demand'' is anticipated for driving tests, adding that the Driving Licence Regulations have been amended to allow an eight-month extension to the validity of theory test pass certificates, which expire between March 1 and October 31 2020, and a six-month extension to the validity of off-road motorcycle test pass certificates, which expire between March 1 2020 and August 31 2020.
"Although some testing has resumed I am conscious that MOT testing is not available for all vehicle groups and I appreciate this is frustrating for customers,'' she said.
"As restrictions ease, and the DVA's capacity to test vehicles increases, more services will continue to be reinstated as we move eventually towards full service resumption.''
Ms Mallon added: "This remains a difficult and uncertain time for everyone and like all Covid-related measures, we continue to keep planning under review in order to ensure we can take steps when it is safe to do so.''