The cost of driving and vehicle tests in Northern Ireland is set to increase.
The changes will take affect for anyone booking after October 1.
Vehicle test fees for cars and light goods vehicles will increase from £30.50 to £38, motorcycles will rise from £22 to £34 and taxis from £138.50 to £147.
Meanwhile, practical driving test fees for cars will jump by almost £20 – from £45.50 to £65 – and even more for motorcycles, which will shoot up from £58 to £80.
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In addition, lorry and bus (driving ability) will go up from £66 to £87.
Tests booked before October 1 will not be affected by the fee increases, regardless of the actual date of the test.
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “This will be the first increase for most vehicle test fees since 2005 and for most practical driving test fees since 2009.
“Driving and vehicle tests are carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), which must cover the cost of delivering services through the income it generates from fees. The rising cost of delivering services means the DVA is facing a shortfall in its income.
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“In the absence of a functioning Legislative Assembly, the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure agreed, in accordance with the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 (as amended), that the proposed fee increases can be progressed.
“The relevant legislation has been amended and the new fees will be published on nidirect.gov.uk on 7 September 2023.”
A consultation on changes to the fees was carried out and a summary of the consultation responses is available on the Department for Infrastructure’s website.
