# Driver and Vehicle Agency > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Agency > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Agency.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_and_Vehicle_Agency > Source revision: 1335413609 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Government agency in Northern Ireland This article is about the agency in Northern Ireland; not to be confused with the [Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Licensing_Agency) and [Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Standards_Agency) in Great Britain. Driver and Vehicle Agency Agency overview Formed 2007; 19 years ago (2007) Preceding agencies DVLNI DVTA Jurisdiction Northern Ireland Headquarters Coleraine, Northern Ireland Employees 756[1] Agency executive Liz Kimmins, Minister for Infrastructure Parent department Department for Infrastructure Website https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/driver-vehicle-agency-dva-northern-ireland The **Driver and Vehicle Agency** (**DVA**; [Irish](/source/Irish_language): *An Ghníomhaireacht Tiománaithe agus Feithiclí*[2]) is a government agency of the [Department for Infrastructure](/source/Department_for_Infrastructure_(Northern_Ireland)) in [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland). The agency is responsible for conducting vehicle testing, driver testing and the issuance of driving licences.[3] 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).[4] ## Driver and vehicle testing In Northern Ireland, the DVA is responsible for carrying out the practical [driving test](/source/United_Kingdom_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 [DVSA](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Standards_Agency). 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 [5] ## Driver and Vehicle Licensing The DVA is responsible for driver licensing in Northern Ireland, as this is a [devolved](/source/Devolution_in_the_United_Kingdom) matter, and issues both provisional and full driving licences. Any licence issued by the DVA is a [UK driving licence](/source/Driving_licence_in_the_United_Kingdom), 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 tax](/source/Vehicle_Excise_Duty).[6] This responsibility was transferred to the [DVLA](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Licensing_Agency). Personalised ([private](/source/Vanity_plate)) 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](/source/Post_Office_Ltd) branch in Northern Ireland. ## See also - [United Kingdom driving test](/source/United_Kingdom_driving_test) - [Driving licence in the United Kingdom](/source/Driving_licence_in_the_United_Kingdom) - [Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Licensing_Agency) - [Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency](/source/Driver_and_Vehicle_Standards_Agency) - [Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)](/source/Department_for_Infrastructure_(Northern_Ireland)) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["DVA Business Plan 2023-24"](https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/dva-business-plan-2023-24.PDF) (PDF). *Driver and Vehicle Agency*. Retrieved 27 December 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["DVA Leaflet in Gaelige (Irish)"](https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/customer-compensation-leaflet-issue-10-irish-language-version.pdf) (PDF). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Driver licensing](http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/motoring/driver-licensing.htm), nidirect. Retrieved 25 October 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Coleraine job fears over Driver and Vehicle Agency merger review"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17069255). *[BBC News Online](/source/BBC_News_Online)*. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Border People"](https://borderpeople.info/a-z/mot-northern-ireland.html). 29 September 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Vehicle tax and registration](http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-and-registration), nidirect. Retrieved 25 October 2015. ## External links - [Official website](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/driver-vehicle-agency-dva-northern-ireland) v t e Driving in the United Kingdom Main topics Approved Driving Instructor British land speed record Driving examiner (United Kingdom) The Highway Code Driving licence in the United Kingdom List of UK driving licence endorsements Road signs in the United Kingdom Road speed limit enforcement in the United Kingdom Road speed limits in the United Kingdom United Kingdom traffic laws Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions Acts Locomotives on Highways Act 1896 Motor Car Act 1903 Road Traffic Act 1934 Organisations British School of Motoring Disabled Motoring UK Driver & Vehicle Agency Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency Driving Standards Agency IAM RoadSmart Motor Insurers' Bureau RAC Safety Camera Partnership The AA Driving test Hazard perception test United Kingdom driving test Schemes National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme Pass Plus Young Driver Schemes TV & entertainment Britain's Worst Driver Clarkson's Car Years Driven Driving School Fifth Gear For the Love of Cars Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld Sniff Petrol Top Gear (1977 TV series) Top Gear (2002 TV series) The Grand Tour Offences Causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving Causing death by dangerous driving Dangerous driving DR10 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Driver and Vehicle Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_and_Vehicle_Agency) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_and_Vehicle_Agency?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.