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| MoTs: All tests in Northern Ireland suspended with immediate effect | MoTs: All tests in Northern Ireland suspended with immediate effect |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| All MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland have been suspended with immediate effect. | All MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland have been suspended with immediate effect. |
| The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) said inspections of lift faults in test centres did not provide "sufficient assurance" on the effectiveness of ongoing repairs. | The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) said inspections of lift faults in test centres did not provide "sufficient assurance" on the effectiveness of ongoing repairs. |
| An inspection of all vehicle lifts in NI's MoT centres previously detected "signs of cracking" in 48 of 55 lifts. | An inspection of all vehicle lifts in NI's MoT centres previously detected "signs of cracking" in 48 of 55 lifts. |
| MoT exemption certificates are being issued so motorists are able to drive. | MoT exemption certificates are being issued so motorists are able to drive. |
| The DVA said anyone scheduled for a car or light vehicle MoT on Tuesday "should not attend". | The DVA said anyone scheduled for a car or light vehicle MoT on Tuesday "should not attend". |
| Test on heavy goods vehicles and buses will continue. | Test on heavy goods vehicles and buses will continue. |
| Paul Duffy, chief executive of the DVA told BBC News NI: "This is hugely embarrassing for the DVA. | |
| "I think we have a fairly good reputation and this is something that has tarnished that reputation. | |
| Mr Duffy said he had sought assurances from the contractor responsible for supplying, maintaining and servicing the lifts that they were safe to use. | |
| He said: "We were given that assurance when the initial repairs were taking place, but that assurance then was not forthcoming from the contractor this evening on further inspections of lifts today. | |
| "On that basis we had no option but to suspend the tests." | |
| In a statement, Mr Duffy added: "The DVA recognises the considerable inconvenience and disruption this will cause for many people and sincerely apologises that it has been unable to rectify this situation more quickly. | |
| "Given the urgency of this situation, we are asking the public to follow media, social media channels and nidirect for updates. | "Given the urgency of this situation, we are asking the public to follow media, social media channels and nidirect for updates. |
| "Staff will also be kept fully informed by their centre managers." | "Staff will also be kept fully informed by their centre managers." |
| Temporary exemptions | |
| About 5,000 MoT tests had already been cancelled after the cracks in lifts were detected. | About 5,000 MoT tests had already been cancelled after the cracks in lifts were detected. |
| Drivers affected by disruption at vehicle test centres were told on Saturday they would be granted temporary MoT exemptions from Monday. | Drivers affected by disruption at vehicle test centres were told on Saturday they would be granted temporary MoT exemptions from Monday. |
| However these cannot be issued for four-year-old cars or taxis. | However these cannot be issued for four-year-old cars or taxis. |
| This is because four-year-old cars have never been through an MoT test before, meaning they do not have a certificate to extend, while taxis are covered by different legislation. | This is because four-year-old cars have never been through an MoT test before, meaning they do not have a certificate to extend, while taxis are covered by different legislation. |
| The DVA previously said these vehicles would be prioritised, but this is no longer possible. | The DVA previously said these vehicles would be prioritised, but this is no longer possible. |
| The DVA said: "We are working to urgently find a solution to get these vehicles through MoT and will contact customers directly." | The DVA said: "We are working to urgently find a solution to get these vehicles through MoT and will contact customers directly." |
| 'Utmost importance' | 'Utmost importance' |
| Unlike in the rest of the UK, MoT tests in Northern Ireland must be carried out 15 at government-run centres. | |
| In an internal letter sent to its staff last week the DVA revealed the lift inspection results. | In an internal letter sent to its staff last week the DVA revealed the lift inspection results. |
| It said signs of cracking were first discovered during an inspection of Larne MoT centre in November 2019. | It said signs of cracking were first discovered during an inspection of Larne MoT centre in November 2019. |
| The letter added the safety of staff and customers "is of the utmost importance" and lift repairs have already begun. | The letter added the safety of staff and customers "is of the utmost importance" and lift repairs have already begun. |