§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of vehicles being used on roads in Northern Ireland do not have a valid test certificate; and if he will make a statement. [156524]
§ Angela SmithThe Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency carried out a survey in May 2003 using data from the 2002 analysis of vehicle excise duty evasion. The survey indicated that 28.4 per cent. of eligible vehicles did not have valid MOT certificates at the date of sighting. It was estimated that this equated to 150,000 vehicles.
The Agency is developing a range of measures to increase MOT compliance. These include the implementation in January 2004 of a new telephone booking service, to make it easier for customers to book and pay for tests; the introduction from March 2004 of MOT reminders; the introduction of internet booking by December 2004; and the use of MOT discs, which are now being issued to motorists for display on car windscreens and which will become mandatory in 2005.