An MP has described Northern Ireland's MOT system as "broken", pointing to lengthy waits for tests while a newly built centre stands empty. According to Armagh I, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said the Department for Infrastructure is failing motorists, with the £13.5 million Mallusk facility in County Antrim completed at the end of April 2026 but still not open.

Key points

  • Mallusk centre — finished in April 2026 at a cost of £13.5 million, but has not yet opened.
  • Capacity — the ten-lane site could test around 100,000 vehicles a year, including motorcycles and heavy vehicles.
  • Driving test waits — average waits in Newry, Armagh and Craigavon have risen above two months, well over the 35-day target.

The DUP representative said her constituency office has been flooded with complaints from people unable to book appointments locally. She said drivers are repeatedly checking the NI Direct website and often have to accept slots miles from home, with dates offered more than two months after their current certificate runs out.

Ms Lockhart said the situation causes "significant stress and inconvenience" for private motorists and businesses, and questioned why extra testing capacity is not yet in use. She also raised concerns about roadworthiness, especially for older vehicles, and said traders such as farmers, delivery drivers and hauliers depend on their vehicles to earn a living.

Her comments follow reporting by Armagh I that learner drivers in Armagh, Newry and Craigavon wait more than two months on average for a practical test — almost double the Driver and Vehicle Agency's 35-day target. DVA figures for August 2026 put the average wait at 66.79 days in Newry, 64.69 days in Armagh and 69.22 days in Craigavon, with the overall network average rising from 37.91 days in March to 61.30 days by August. Newry & Armagh DUP MLA Gareth Wilson has previously said the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing added pressure to the system.

Ms Lockhart has written to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins asking why Mallusk has not opened, and what is holding it up. The MP also highlighted continuing slippage on a proposed MOT centre at Hydebank in south Belfast, and said Temporary Exemption Certificates, while useful for eligible vehicles, should not become the norm.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

If you drive in Northern Ireland, the immediate effect is that booking an MOT or a driving test may mean a longer wait and a trip further from home. Temporary Exemption Certificates remain available for eligible vehicles, but they are not a substitute for a valid test certificate in every situation.

  • Check your expiry date early — start looking for an appointment well before your current certificate runs out.
  • Be ready to travel — slots may only be available at centres outside your local area.
  • Keep documents in order — if you rely on a temporary exemption, make sure you meet the eligibility rules for your vehicle.