Coronavirus (Covid 19) and motoring
This page provides information on the Driver & Vehicle Agency's (DVA) services that are affected during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This page is reviewed regularly so continue to check for new updates.
MOT/ Vehicle testing
All categories of vehicle tests have now resumed.
Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) have now been applied to all eligible vehicles and no further TECs will be applied.
TECs were applied automatically to allow vehicles to be taxed and kept on the road. You do not need to do anything until you receive a reminder notification from the DVA to book a vehicle test.
To check a vehicle’s MOT status and date of expiry, visit Check the MOT status of a vehicle
Owners of trailers will be unable to check online and should contact the DVA at dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk with any queries.
You should not delay making an MOT appointment when you receive a reminder from the DVA to book a vehicle test, even if the next available appointment falls after the MOT expiry date.
Given the very high demand for vehicle tests, it may not be possible to get an appointment for a private car, light goods vehicle or motorcycle before the existing MOT expires. If this is the case, you must book the earliest available test appointment for your vehicle.
It may not always be possible to get a test appointment at your preferred test centre and you may have to travel to another centre to secure the earliest appointment available.
The DVA have consulted with the PSNI and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to make them aware of the current situation. The PSNI has agreed not to penalise the driver of a vehicle whose MOT has expired so long as:
- the vehicle is in a roadworthy and safe condition
- the vehicle is properly insured
- the driver can provide proof (by showing an MOT appointment notification/ reminder, either in electronic or paper form) that a test appointment has been booked for the vehicle
All other offences relating to vehicle roadworthiness and insurance will be dealt with in the usual way.
The ABI has confirmed that the lack of a valid MOT certificate would not necessarily invalidate a motor insurance policy. However they say that if customers can’t get a test appointment until after the current certificate expires, they should check their policy documents or speak to their insurer.
The ABI also reminds owners that at all times they are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in a roadworthy condition.
You should look out for brake wear, make sure that all lights are working and regularly check tyre pressure and tread depth.
If you need to tax your vehicle and cannot secure a date before your MOT expires, you should:
- book the earliest available appointment
- keep checking the booking system for an appointment before your MOT expires
If you get to within five days of your MOT expiry date, contact dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk and DVA will do their best to get an urgent appointment for your vehicle.
Buses and taxis
Buses (being used for hire or reward) or taxis are able to book a vehicle licence test by applying online:
- Apply for a taxi vehicle licence
- Apply for a bus vehicle licence
- Renewal applicants can check their licence expiry date by logging online to the taxi and bus licensing system or they will get the expiry date on their vehicle licence reminder which will issue six/ eight weeks before the licence expiry date.
The categories below can also book a test but will not receive an automatic reminder as these vehicles are not currently in the DVA system.
- vehicles not registered or not tested in Northern Ireland and due a test
- vehicles with MOT expired by more than 12 months
- vehicles currently declared SORN (only if the previous MOT has expired by more than 12 months or if the vehicle is now due its first test)
- buses due a first time test (not for ‘hire and reward’ use)
- first time taxis
Practical driving tests
The DVA is releasing Category B (private car) driving test appointments five months in advance. All test centres will release driving test appointments on the first working day of each month.
The DVA will continue to offer driving tests on a Saturday and at certain centres on Sundays.
Depending on demand, it may take a while before you can book and take a driving test. If at first slots are not available at your preferred test centre, you may wish to consider booking a test at another centre. Keep checking the booking system as the DVA release more slots as more resources become available and some customers cancel or change their appointments.
When booking a driving test, make sure that you read Public health information for practical driving tests
When attending for a driving test you must bring and wear a face covering for the full driving test.
If you arrive for your test without a face covering, the test will not take place.
Taxis and buses
Taxis and buses (for ‘hire and reward’ use) can also be booked in for a vehicle test. These vehicles require a separate approval and follow a different process outlined in the links below.
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) tests have now resumed after being suspended due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Further details can be found on the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) page.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG/ ADR)
Testing carried out on vehicles which carry dangerous goods, has now resumed.
Further information is available at Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG/ADR).
Checking a vehicle’s MOT status
Customers may check the status of their MOT and details of the new expiry date online at:
Due to legislative requirements TECs are applied by DVA on a phased basis, for different durations based on vehicle type.
So when you check online, it will show the date your MOT expires based on the initial TEC period that has been applied.
However, where applicable, the DVA will automatically apply further exemptions to make sure the full 12 months are covered.
Should the online check show your MOT has expired then contact DVA Customer Services at dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk for help.
Owners of trailers will be unable to check online and should also contact the DVA Customer Services with any queries.
Vehicle Roadworthiness
It's important for owners to understand that it remains their responsibility to make sure their car is in a roadworthy condition to be used on a public road.
The PSNI and Insurers expect motorists to meet their legal obligation to keep their vehicle in a roadworthy condition if they are using it on the road.
Driver licensing
You should not go to the offices in Coleraine as you will not be allowed into the building. Refer to the relevant licensing page for other ways to contact DVA for licensing issues
All driving licences with an expiry date from 1 January 2021 must be renewed.
In line with EU Regulations, all driving licences with an expiry date between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 will be treated as valid for a further 11 months.
This extension will be automatically applied, the driver record will not be updated and renewal licences may not be issued during this period.
Drivers whose licence expiry falls within these dates are not required to take any action on the expiry of their licence.
For some drivers this will remove the requirement to have a medical assessment conducted at this difficult time.
Note the extension does not apply to provisional driving licences that expire in this period. A provisional driving licence can be renewed online
The DVA apologises for any inconvenience but protecting the health of staff and customers is the priority at this very difficult time.
You should not come to the offices in Coleraine as you will not get access to the building. To contact the DVA for licensing issues go to:
Taxis
New regulations implemented have provided for the automatic renewal of taxi vehicle licences up to a maximum of one year.
These licences will be issued automatically, without a test before and free of charge.
Vehicles which had already received an automatic six month licence, will have received a further six month licence.
In addition, vehicles with a taxi licence that expires between 10 October 2020 and 31 May 2021, which have not already received a six month licence, will receive a twelve month licence.
Vehicle owners will have received their automatic licence in the post before their current licence expires.
Only taxis that have been previously tested and issued with a taxi licence will be eligible under the temporary arrangements.
The licence authorises taxi drivers to continue to use their taxi vehicle, for the period of the licence, without the need for a vehicle test to be conducted.
The licence is issued subject to licence conditions, which includes ensuring that the licensed taxi has not undergone any change or alteration which has reduced its roadworthiness.
It is a legal requirement for the owner of any licensed taxi to tell the Taxi Licensing Team of any change or alteration.
Vehicles that have already received a free licence extension will receive a reminder before the licence expiry date to allow time for applicants to apply online and book their PSV test date.
Taxi drivers and medicals
If you are applying to renew your taxi driver’s licence and you do not have a medical to declare, your taxi driver’s licence will be renewed without a medical report.
You may be asked to send a medical report at some future date.
If you do have a medical condition, you will need to send a medical report. It is important to let your GP know that you are a key worker and require a medical report to renew your taxi driver’s licence.
Buses
The Department for Infrastructure has made a determination to renew bus PSV licences, effectively exempting them from the roadworthiness test.
A 12-month licence will be issued automatically and free of charge for vehicles with a licence expiry between 10 March 2020 and 31 May 2021.
Vehicle owners will receive their automatic licence in the post before their current licence expires. Only buses that have been previously tested and issued with a licence will be eligible under the temporary arrangements. Only one automatic licence will be issued for each vehicle.
The licence authorises the continued use of the vehicle, for the period of the licence, without the need for a vehicle test to be conducted.
The licence is issued subject to licence conditions.
Vehicles that have already received a free licence extension will receive a reminder before the licence expiry date to allow time for applicants to apply online and book their PSV test date.
Driver theory tests
Following the NI Executive’s review of COVID-19 restrictions, driving theory tests have resumed.
Driving theory tests from 26 December 2020 until 22 April 2021, inclusive, were suspended. Instead of cancelling your test, DVA have rescheduled it for 60 days later, into a temporary placeholder appointment.
If your theory test was rescheduled into a temporary placeholder appointment, you would have been contacted to let you know how to reschedule this appointment.
DVA have increased the number of daily appointments available for booking, through longer opening hours.
More appointments have also been made available at an extra temporary test centre in Ballymena.
The validity of theory test pass certificates for learner drivers which expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 October 2020 has been extended by twelve months.
Theory test pass certificates which expire between 1 November 2020 and 30 June 2021 and which have not already benefited from an extension, have had their validity period extended by eight months.
These measures should allow learner drivers extra time to book and take their practical driving tests.
Candidates whose theory test certificate expires outside of these dates will need to book and sit another theory test.
The extension has been applied automatically to affected certificates, so you do not need to contact DVA to request an extension.
You must wear a face covering at your theory test. The rules on face coverings have been updated. For further info visit Coronavirus (COVID-19): face coverings
Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) and Approved Motorcycle Instructors (AMI)
DVA understands the significant challenges that Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Approved Motorcycle Instructors (AMIs) have faced in these difficult times.
This information pack for stakeholders, provides information on the resumption of testing services and links to other useful information.
Following the NI Executive’s review of COVID-19 restrictions, the ADI and AMI qualifying tests resumed from 23 April 2021. This includes the ADI and AMI theory test, the practical test of driving ability and practical test of instructional ability.
Check tests for fully qualified ADIs and AMIs are still suspended.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Business Support Unit (BSU) has limited capacity to answer customer queries by phone. If you need to contact BSU, email DVA.AMI@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or ADIOnlineCorrespondence@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
These email addresses will be monitored but due to ongoing pressure on DVA services and staff, it may take longer than usual for you to get a reply.
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
Amended procedures are now in place for the provision of CBT certificates and logbooks to authorised CBT Trainers while counter services at DVA test centres are still closed.
Requests from authorised CBT trainers should be emailed to DVA.AMI@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence
The validity of the Driver CPC cards that expire from 1 February 2020 to 31 August 2020 has been extended for seven months.
If the expiry date on your card is outside this period, you must not drive until it is renewed. You could face a £1000 fine if you drive without a valid CPC.
More information is available at CPC for existing lorry, bus and coach drivers.
Counter services
All counter services across the DVA are suspended.
These are necessary precautionary measures to protect staff and customers, and adhere to government guidelines on social distancing.
Until further notice, counter services are no longer available at County Hall, Coleraine or at any MOT test centre.
Contacting the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA)
The DVA has reinstated its telephone service, which was suspended due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Customers who wish to contact the DVA with queries may use the contact details below.
- For Driver Licensing queries phone: 0300 200 7861
- For Driver and Vehicle Testing queries phone 0300 200 7862
E-mail address for all queries: dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
The email address will be monitored but due to ongoing pressures on services and staff, it may take longer than usual for a response to be provided.