Minister announces extension of TECs

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Liz Kimmins has announced the extension of Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) in 2026-27 to help manage MOT waiting times.

Minister Kimmins has extended the use of TECs for certain five- and seven-year-old private cars for a further year.

This will allow motorists with eligible cars to continue to drive them legally, provided they are roadworthy, taxed and insured.

Over the past two years, TECs have played an important role in easing pressure on the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

This measure, together with record levels of testing by DVA, have reduced the average waiting time from over 100 days in May 2024 to around 32 days currently.

Vehicle licensing data shows that around 88,000 cars may be eligible for a TEC under the extension. The DVA will process all TECs automatically.

Minister Kimmins said: “TECs have helped to significantly reduce waiting times for MOTs. This extension will 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, which is expected within the next year.

"Each centre will be capable of testing more than 100,000 vehicles annually, significantly strengthening the Agency’s long term testing capacity.

“Since the introduction of TECs, the DVA has continued to maximise its vehicle testing capacity at its existing 15 test centres through a variety of measures, including recruitment and overtime.

"TECs have helped improve service delivery while minimising any risk to road safety.

“As road users we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe and, regardless of TECs, it remains our responsibility to ensure our cars are maintained in a roadworthy condition.”