Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has extended Temporary Exemption Certificates for certain five- and seven-year-old private cars into 2026-27. The move targets ongoing MOT waiting times at the Driver and Vehicle Agency.

Motorists with eligible vehicles can drive them legally if roadworthy, taxed and insured. Around 88,000 cars qualify based on vehicle licensing data. The DVA will issue TECs automatically.

Average MOT wait times dropped from over 100 days in May 2024 to 32 days now. This follows two years of TEC use alongside record testing levels at the DVA's 15 centres.

Kimmins stated the extension supports DVA demand management until new facilities at Hydebank and Mallusk open next year. Each site will test over 100,000 vehicles annually.

The DVA has increased capacity at existing centres via recruitment and overtime since TECs began. Kimmins emphasised drivers' duty to keep vehicles roadworthy for safety.