Northern Ireland

Driver & Vehicle Agency look for new MOT examiners

A proposed relaxation of MOT rules has been dropped by the Government
The DfI is looking for a new MOT vehicle examiner (Alamy Stock Photo)

New MOT vehicle examiners are being recruited as attempts are made to tackle the north’s rising MOT wait times.

The advertisement shows the salary to be £26,569 – £27,127, although this may be subject to change.



There are vacancies across Northern Ireland except for the Newry, Newbuildings and Omagh test centres but candidate information says opportunities could arise ta these locations in future.

Among centres with vacancies is the new Hydebank testing facility in south Belfast, the opening of which has been pushed back to later this year after being initially planned for 2022, and the new Mallusk centre, which has been pushed to next year.

Applications are open until 12pm on March 1.

The Department for Infrastructure has been approached for comment.

Last week, a Belfast mechanic described ongoing delays with MOT testing in Northern Ireland as a “disaster” for his business.

The delays mean many drivers may find themselves without valid test certificates or able to tax their vehicle.

A backlog from the pandemic, cracks in testing centre lifts and the delayed completion of two new testing centres have all contributed to long waiting times.

Vehicles over four-years-old must be tested every year and cannot pay their annual road tax without a valid test certificate.