Menu
24/08/2022
DUP Calls On O'Dowd To 'Get A Grip' On MoT Backlog
The DUP has called on Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to "get a grip of the MoT backlog".
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe was speaking after she received a reply from the DVA which failed to outline a realistic plan to address the fiasco of trying to get an MoT.
Ms Forsythe said: "People who need a test now are being given vehicle test dates well into 2023 yet records show the number of tests in 2022 is no greater than it was in 2014 or 2015.
"My Party colleague Keith Buchanan sat on the Infrastructure Committee and forecast the covid backlogs two years ago. At that time, we asked for capacity to be temporarily increased to deal with the predicted demand.
"If we moved from 70k tests per month to less than half that per month, basic mathematics would forecast a spike in demand is coming. Capacity should have been built up to deal with the covid backlog.
"The Minister needs to answer why the corrective measures were not put in place and why temporary measures failed to deal with the covid backlogs?
"The whole situation looks like an uncoordinated shambles that both the current and former Minister should be ashamed of and embarrassed by. This is impacting on real people and has a real impact on motorists' ability to tax their car so they can travel to and from their employment."
Official records show that: In July 2014 there were 71k vehicle tests; In July 2015 there were 72K tests; In July 2016 there were 70k tests; In July 2017 there were 71k tests; In July 2018 there were 71k tests; In July 2019 there were 79k tests; In July 2020 there were 2k tests; In July 2021 there were 42k tests; In July 2022 there were 72k tests.
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe was speaking after she received a reply from the DVA which failed to outline a realistic plan to address the fiasco of trying to get an MoT.
Ms Forsythe said: "People who need a test now are being given vehicle test dates well into 2023 yet records show the number of tests in 2022 is no greater than it was in 2014 or 2015.
"My Party colleague Keith Buchanan sat on the Infrastructure Committee and forecast the covid backlogs two years ago. At that time, we asked for capacity to be temporarily increased to deal with the predicted demand.
"If we moved from 70k tests per month to less than half that per month, basic mathematics would forecast a spike in demand is coming. Capacity should have been built up to deal with the covid backlog.
"The Minister needs to answer why the corrective measures were not put in place and why temporary measures failed to deal with the covid backlogs?
"The whole situation looks like an uncoordinated shambles that both the current and former Minister should be ashamed of and embarrassed by. This is impacting on real people and has a real impact on motorists' ability to tax their car so they can travel to and from their employment."
Official records show that: In July 2014 there were 71k vehicle tests; In July 2015 there were 72K tests; In July 2016 there were 70k tests; In July 2017 there were 71k tests; In July 2018 there were 71k tests; In July 2019 there were 79k tests; In July 2020 there were 2k tests; In July 2021 there were 42k tests; In July 2022 there were 72k tests.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 September 2002
Larne test centre receives top quality award
Management and staff of the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency’s Larne Test Centre have received a top award in recognition of their achievements from Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt today.
Larne test centre receives top quality award
Management and staff of the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency’s Larne Test Centre have received a top award in recognition of their achievements from Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt today.
24 January 2020
P7 Pupils To Receive Entrance Test Results
The Education Minister has sent his best wishes to primary school pupils awaiting entrance test results this weekend. Official marks for CEA's AQE and the GL PPTC Assessment will be published on Saturday morning, 25 January, arriving at children's homes that morning.
P7 Pupils To Receive Entrance Test Results
The Education Minister has sent his best wishes to primary school pupils awaiting entrance test results this weekend. Official marks for CEA's AQE and the GL PPTC Assessment will be published on Saturday morning, 25 January, arriving at children's homes that morning.
27 January 2005
Headlamp beam test to be introduced for MOT test
Environment Minister Angela Smith today confirmed that a new headlamp beam test is to be introduced into the MOT from the end of March. Commenting on the test, the Minister said the new examination would be expected to improve road safety.
Headlamp beam test to be introduced for MOT test
Environment Minister Angela Smith today confirmed that a new headlamp beam test is to be introduced into the MOT from the end of March. Commenting on the test, the Minister said the new examination would be expected to improve road safety.
15 June 2021
Driving Test Backlog Has 'Veered Out Of Control'
The Infrastructure Minister and the DVA Chief Executive have been challenged on their plan to deal with the current driving test backlog by incoming chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Infrastructure Committee and DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley. Mr Buckley said: "The backlog has veered out of control.
Driving Test Backlog Has 'Veered Out Of Control'
The Infrastructure Minister and the DVA Chief Executive have been challenged on their plan to deal with the current driving test backlog by incoming chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Infrastructure Committee and DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley. Mr Buckley said: "The backlog has veered out of control.
29 September 2023
SEAG Re-Open Transfer Test System For Late Registration
The Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) has announced that the transfer test system has been re-opened for parents who missed the Pupil Registration deadline. The Registration Portal has been reopened today, 29 September, and will remain open until 5pm on Monday, 02 October.
SEAG Re-Open Transfer Test System For Late Registration
The Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) has announced that the transfer test system has been re-opened for parents who missed the Pupil Registration deadline. The Registration Portal has been reopened today, 29 September, and will remain open until 5pm on Monday, 02 October.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
