Statement from Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon in relation to MOT car and light vehicle tests

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “I want to assure the public that the safety of all staff and customers is my priority at all MOT centres.

"In ensuring safety, disruption has been caused to DVA customers. I have instructed officials to work to ensure all MOT centres are fully and safely operational as quickly as possible and that appointments are rescheduled as quickly as possible, with priority given to those customers whose MOT has expired or will expire in coming days.

“Recognising the disruption caused to people across the north, I have acted today to instruct the DVA to urgently work to issue temporary MOT exemptions from Monday for DVA customers affected. This will apply to customers with expired or soon expiring car and light vehicle MOT certificates, who have had appointments cancelled due to the ongoing lift fault inspections and repairs underway.  Further information will follow from DVA to customers affected.

“No one whose MOT appointment has been cancelled will have to pay a further fee. I want to assure the public that all customers affected will have a free test plus half of their fee repaid. 

“While DVA is working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible I will continue to monitor this situation very carefully.
 
“As essential repairs are completed, test centres will resume normal operations.  In addition, test centres will be opening additional hours this weekend and in the weeks ahead, to ensure customers impacted are rescheduled as soon as possible. 

“I recognise that people across Northern Ireland will be concerned at this situation and I want to provide absolute reassurance that I am endeavouring to reach a solution as quickly as possible. I will continue to work in the days ahead to ensure that effort is made to secure staff safety and customer satisfaction. I have asked DVA to improve communications and ensure that members of the public are updated as soon as possible on further developments.

“Any customers with appointments today and in the next few days, should attend their appointment as planned, unless their appointment is cancelled by the DVA.”

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