Dickson Welcomes Driving Licence Extension

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has welcomed a statement by the Infrastructure Minister that Driving Licences with an expiry date from the 1 February to 31 August 2020 will automatically be treated as valid for a further seven months, as a result of an EU regulation.

Stewart Dickson commented: “I welcome this announcement by the Department for Infrastructure, that helps relieve the concerns of those that may need to renew a licence, when they have no additional or worsening health conditions to declare. This action also helps Driver and Vehicle Agency to focus on other key service areas such as issuing new Provisional Licences.

“Unfortunately, the extension does not apply to taxi driver licences. However, I welcome the Department’s move to renew the licences of taxi drivers that do not have medical conditions, without a medical report, as well as prioritise those that are required to submit a report.