Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 and shall come into operation on 1^st September 2020.

Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations

2.-(1) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(4) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) In regulation 36 (evidence of result of theory test) after paragraph (6) insert the following-

"(6A) Notwithstanding paragraph (6)(a), the validity of a standard theory test pass certificate which, in accordance with paragraph (6), would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 1st March 2020 and 31st October 2020 shall be deemed to be, or to have been, extended for a period of eight months from the date of expiry referred to in each such pass certificate.".

(3) In regulation 36B (large vehicle theory test pass certificate) after paragraph (4) insert the following-

"(4A) Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(a), the validity of a large vehicle theory test pass certificate which, in accordance with paragraph (4), would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 1st March 2020 and 31st October 2020 shall be deemed to be, or to have been, extended for a period of eight months from the date of expiry referred to in each such pass certificate.".

(4) In regulations 37A (evidence of the results of special manoeuvres test) after paragraph 2 insert the following-

"(2A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the validity of a pass certificate issued under paragraph 1(a) which, in accordance with paragraph (2), would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 1st March 2020 and 31st August 2020 shall be deemed to be, or to have been, extended for a period of six months from the date of expiry referred to in each such pass certificate.".

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Infrastructure on 27^th August 2020

Chris Hughes

A senior officer of the

Department for Infrastructure

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 ("the 1996 Regulations") in order to extend the validity of driving theory test and motorcycle special manoeuvres test pass certificates given the current suspension of practical testing due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency.

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends regulations 36 and 36B of the 1996 Regulations so that the validity of a theory test pass certificate that expires between 1st March 2020 and 31st October 2020, is extended for a period of eight months from the date of expiry shown on the certificate.

Regulation 2 also amends regulation 37A of the 1996 Regulations so that a motorcycle special manoeuvres test certificate that expires between 1st March 2020 and 31st August 2020, is extended for a period of six months from the date of expiry shown on the certificate.

An Explanatory Memorandum has been produced and is available from Safe and Accessible Travel Division, Department for Infrastructure, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Town Parks, Belfast BT2 8GB or online alongside this Statutory Rule at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.