{{Short description|Government agency in Northern Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Use British English|date=June 2022}} {{about-distinguish-text|the agency in Northern Ireland|the [[Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency]] and [[Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency]] in Great Britain}} {{Infobox government agency | name = Driver and Vehicle Agency | type = | logo = Driver and Vehicle Agency logo.svg | image = | image_caption = | formed = {{start date and age|2007|df=yes}} | preceding1 = DVLNI | preceding2 = DVTA | jurisdiction = [[Northern Ireland]] | headquarters = [[Coleraine|Coleraine, Northern Ireland]] | employees = 756<ref>{{cite web |title=DVA Business Plan 2023-24 |url=https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/dva-business-plan-2023-24.PDF |website=Driver and Vehicle Agency |access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref> | chief1_position = [[Liz Kimmins]], Minister for Infrastructure | parent_department = [[Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)|Department for Infrastructure]] | website = https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/driver-vehicle-agency-dva-northern-ireland }}
The '''Driver and Vehicle Agency''' ('''DVA'''; {{langx|ga|An Ghníomhaireacht Tiománaithe agus Feithiclí}}<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=DVA Leaflet in Gaelige (Irish) |url=https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/customer-compensation-leaflet-issue-10-irish-language-version.pdf}}</ref>) is a government agency of the [[Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)|Department for Infrastructure]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. The agency is responsible for conducting vehicle testing, driver testing and the issuance of driving licences.<ref>[http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/motoring/driver-licensing.htm Driver licensing], nidirect. Retrieved 25 October 2015.</ref>
It was created in early 2007 through the merger of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) and the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA).<ref>{{cite news |title=Coleraine job fears over Driver and Vehicle Agency merger review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17069255 |newspaper=[[BBC News Online]] |date=16 February 2012 |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>
== Driver and vehicle testing == In Northern Ireland, the DVA is responsible for carrying out the practical [[United Kingdom driving test|driving test]], and theory test to allow residents to obtain their full licence. The theory test is the same as the rest of the UK, and is set by the [[Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency|DVSA]]. Practical driving tests follow a similar format to the rest of the UK, however, some aspects of the test are different and the DVA can change it at any time.
The DVA also carry out vehicle MOT testing, unlike in Great Britain, vehicles requiring MOT/PSV testing must attend a DVA MOT centre. The DVA currently operate 15 centres across Northern Ireland <ref>{{Cite web |title=Border People |date=29 September 2014 |url=https://borderpeople.info/a-z/mot-northern-ireland.html}}</ref>
==Driver and Vehicle Licensing== The DVA is responsible for driver licensing in Northern Ireland, as this is a [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|devolved]] matter, and issues both provisional and full driving licences.
Any licence issued by the DVA is a [[Driving licence in the United Kingdom|UK driving licence]], and is treated exactly the same as a GB licence.
Unlike the DVLA, the DVA still issues paper counterparts with all versions of the NI driving licence.
== Previous Responsibilities == Prior to 2014, the DVA was also responsible for vehicle registration and [[Vehicle Excise Duty|vehicle tax]].<ref>[http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-and-registration Vehicle tax and registration], nidirect. Retrieved 25 October 2015.</ref> This responsibility was transferred to the [[Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency|DVLA]]. Personalised ([[Vanity plate|private]]) registrations must now be purchased through the DVLA directly, and customers are recommended to tax their vehicles online.
Customers can still tax their vehicles in person at a [[Post Office Ltd|Post Office]] branch in Northern Ireland.
==See also== *[[United Kingdom driving test]] *[[Driving licence in the United Kingdom]] *[[Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency]] *[[Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency]] *[[Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official|https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/driver-vehicle-agency-dva-northern-ireland}} {{Driving in the United Kingdom}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Driver and Vehicle Agency}} [[Category:Road transport in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Northern Ireland Executive]] [[Category:Motor vehicle registration agencies]] [[Category:Driving in the United Kingdom]]