1. In Northern Ireland, vehicle tests (MOTs) are conducted within the public sector by the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA), an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. DVTA's principal aim is to improve road safety in Northern Ireland, and in this respect, it also conducts driving tests in the region.
2. In undertaking its vehicle testing activities, DVTA carries out annual mandatory checks on the roadworthiness of:
• private cars and motorcycles aged four years and over;
• light goods vehicles aged three years and over;
• trailers, large passenger-carrying vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) aged one year and over; and
• buses and taxis from first use.