Motorists could soon face higher fees for a driving test and vehicle tests under plans being considered by a Stormont department.
This would mark the first increase in most vehicle test fees since 2005 and in most practical driving test fees since 2009.
According to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), these tests are carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), which must cover the costs of services through the income it generates from fees.
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But the rising cost of providing services means the DVA is facing a shortfall in its income.
A public consultation has now been opened proposing changes to these fees. The proposals include vehicle test fee for cars and light goods vehicles increasing from £30.50 to £38; motorcycles rising from £22 to £34 and taxis from £138.50 to £147.
In addition, it's proposed that practical driving test fees for cars could rise from £45.50 to £65 with motorcycles increasing from £58 to £80 and lorry and bus (driving ability) rising from £66 to £87.
DfI says the proposed new fees would help the DVA to cover the costs of providing services and contribute towards future investment to improve services, including a new test centre at Hydebank in Belfast, which is due to open later in 2023.
This eight-week consultation on the proposals are part of a range of cuts to services put forward by department officials after they warned of a £112million budget shortfall.
A DfI spokesperson added: "Following the consultation, all responses will be analysed before recommendations are made to the Minister for Infrastructure.
"Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers, the next steps will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time."
The public consultation is available here.
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