Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has urged the Department for Infrastructure to act swiftly and extend the reminder letter notification period for those awaiting their MOTs.

Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon recently said the Driver Vehicle Agency will be considering the move at the end of February, ‘on the assumption the COVID pandemic will have reached a more manageable position by that stage’.

However Mr Muir has stated this course of action should have been taken much earlier and must be implemented immediately.

“I am incredibly disappointed to hear the DVA will only be considering extending the reminder letter notification period for those awaiting their MOTs at the end of this month,” said the North Down MLA.

“There have been a number of difficulties with the MOT process over the past two years, beginning with the issues with vehicle lifts in January 2020 and the subsequent problems presented with the pandemic. This has had an adverse impact on people, with many contacting me concerned over being unable to drive due to having an expired MOT and being unable to get an appointment for a number of months after receiving their letter.

“Given the issues people are having with booking MOT tests, sending people their letters much further in advance to encourage them to book their appointments would make a significant impact in alleviating this problem. It is an issue that has been with us for years and action should have been taken much earlier. I urge the Minister to act swiftly and extend the reminder letter notification period for those awaiting their MOTs.”