The Department for Infrastructure has made a Statutory Order entitled "The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Trainee Licence) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021" (S.R. 2021 No. 136), which comes into operation on 31st May 2021.

The Regulations amend Northern Ireland legislation in order to extend the period of time that a person wishing to obtain a trainee licence to give instruction in the driving of a motor car has to apply for a trainee licence after passing the driving theory test.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Trainee Licence) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (“the 2010 Regulations”) require that a person wishing to obtain a trainee licence must apply for the licence within two years after passing the driving theory test and having passed the driving ability and fitness test. They must also not have failed the final instructional ability and fitness test more than twice since passing the theory test.

As a result of the suspension of practical testing due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency these Regulations amend the 2010 Regulations so that an applicant for a trainee licence may make the application within 3 years after passing the theory test where the 2 year period would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 31st May 2020 and 31st August 2021.

Copies of the Rule may be purchased from the Stationery Office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0333 202 5070 or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.