Update on Driving Test Availability
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) continues to work hard to increase its capacity to help meet the high demand for driving tests for all customers, including those who are required to take a further driving test.
“Over the last 12 months the DVA has recruited additional examiners and offered tests on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, when testing is not normally available. In 2022-23, the DVA conducted 68,540 (56,132 private car) driving tests, the highest in a single year for 14 years. The latest published statistics confirm that 5,738 driving tests were conducted in June 2023, which is 27% (1,202) higher than the five-year June average (4,536).
“While there may be limited availability at the more popular test centres, additional appointments are added almost every day as resources are confirmed. Due to higher levels of demand at some of these more popular centres, waiting times may be slightly longer.
“The DVA’s advice to customers, when they are trained and ready to take their driving test, is to book and pay for the earliest date available and check the booking system regularly for an earlier date as additional appointment slots are added when resources become available and when cancellations are made. If slots are not initially available at a customer’s preferred test centre, they may wish to consider booking a test at another centre.
“There is currently availability for theory tests across all six test centres over the next three months.”
Keep up to date with all the Northern Ireland driving news, tips and tricks on the New Driver NI website.
