Ongoing MOT Backlogs with Uncertain Test Centre Openings
MOT backlogs are expected to continue in the near term, as exact opening dates for new test centres remain unconfirmed.
Two new centres are planned to increase testing capacity by more than 200,000 vehicles annually.
The Hydebank centre, located in south Belfast, was initially scheduled to open in 2022 but has been postponed to 2024. Similarly, the Mallusk centre in County Antrim, originally planned for 2024, has also experienced delays.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has not provided specific opening dates but indicated both centres are anticipated to commence vehicle testing "within the next year."
Temporary Exemption Notices Extended to Manage Waiting Times
In March, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced an extension of temporary exemption notices (TECs) aimed at alleviating MOT waiting times.
Kimmins stated the extension was intended to "allow the DVA to continue to manage the increased demand for MOTs until new testing facilities at Hydebank and Mallusk are open for vehicle testing."
Impact on Motorists and Calls for Sustainable Solutions
DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Deborah Erskine, highlighted the negative effects of the delays on motorists.
"Despite the minister putting in place TECs, new centres were needed. It's long past the time now from when they should have been opened and we need see that pretty soon," she said.
Erskine also emphasized the inconvenience caused by the current system.
"People were having to travel for MOT tests to get their vehicles checked, taxed and insured. We can't continue to have a situation of temporary exemption certificates happening in Northern Ireland. We need to have a sustainable system going forward."
Motorists Share Experiences of Delays
Laura Doherty from north Belfast told NI that obtaining an MOT this year has been more difficult.
"My car thankfully just passed second time around but it did actually take me about a month and a half before I actually got my book in date, and then a retest then. The waiting time, it's not great, people want to be on the road as quickly as possible - and your tax and everything is running out if you don't get an MOT, so it just doesn't really weigh up."
Patricia Bennett from Newry described this year as the worst for MOT availability.
"I tried to book an MOT test recently for my husband's work vans, and to be honest it's months away, and then we are afraid driving around with no MOT, and then I have to go on every morning to see if there is a cancellation in Newry, but sometimes my husband ends up having to go to Lisburn or Downpatrick, just to get an MOT. My husband runs a business so he has a few vans so it's really an awful impact - and then he has to take maybe half a day off work to travel to Lisburn or Downpatrick - or sometimes Belfast to get the MOT, so it's really inconvenient."
Craig Houston expressed concerns about the growing backlog.
"I think the backlog was never cleared, so as more cars come in to MOT the backlog is only going to get bigger, and it is going to continue to do that. It doesn't seem like it is going to change any time soon."
Department for Infrastructure Provides Update on New Centres
In April, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly requested an update from the minister for infrastructure regarding the new test centres.
The department confirmed that the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) awarded the new Vehicle Testing Solution contract to MAHA Ireland Ltd in March 2026.
A DfI spokesperson told NI:
"The Driver and Vehicle Agency is progressing a programme of work with its new contractor to install and commission vehicle testing equipment at Hydebank, followed by Mallusk, where construction was completed in December 2025. This follows the termination of the previous vehicle testing equipment contract by mutual agreement in April 2025. Both centres are expected to open for vehicle testing within the next year. Once fully operational, each centre will be capable of testing more than 100,000 vehicles annually, significantly strengthening long-term testing capacity."
Frustrations from the Driving Community
Peter Carmichael, managing director of NI Driving School, expressed frustration about the current situation.
"It's frustrating to have an MOT centre just a couple of miles away yet sometimes people have to travel a lot further to get a test. Whether you've just passed your driving test or you're an experienced driver having to travel 60, 70, 80, 100 miles to an MOT is frustrating for anybody."
Carmichael also noted the system has been neglected for years.
"To have multi-million pound centres that are built and aren't delivering on taxpayers money you know it's very frustrating. I welcomed the idea of opening more test centres as the more cars checked is better for road safety across NI. We all want the same goal here. We all want to be able to MOT a car as soon as possible in a convenient location."
Guidance on Driving Without a Current MOT
PSNI Superintendent Jonathan Wilson emphasized that drivers must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, including functioning lights and electrics, tyres with sufficient tread, and overall vehicle condition.
"In the event police encounter a vehicle with no current MOT, so long as we can ascertain that a vehicle is roadworthy, has a forthcoming MOT test date and is not SORNED, then police will not take any further action."
