DRIVERS in Fermanagh have been urged to ensure that their vehicles are taxed and roadworthy after several vehicles were reportedly clamped in the Townhall Street and East Bridge Street area of Enniskillen.
The untaxed vehicles were understood to have been clamped earlier this month as enforcement officers visited the town.
Councillor Anthony Feely said that he had been in Enniskillen on the day when a number of vehicles were reportedly clamped. Cllr Feely explained that he had been contacted by a number of locals in regard to this. One a man who he knew had his car clamped.
“This fellow who had his car clamped came up to me and told me he had no tax as he was waiting for a MOT for weeks.
“He said there was a backlog for weeks and as a result of this he said he couldn’t get it taxed.
“I am aware that the MOT centre have extended their hours providing more appointments, including weekends. I welcome the extension of the MOT centre hours.
“Hopefully this should go some way to address the current backlog and enable drivers to have MOT checks completed in a timely manner.”
Cllr Feely went on to encourage drivers to apply for their MOT tests as soon as possible when they are aware of their vehicle’s test expiry date. A spokesman for the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency explained, “It is a legal requirement that a MOT is in place, if required, at the time the vehicle tax commences.
“A vehicle cannot be used on a public road if it is untaxed. If a vehicle is to be kept off road, a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) must be declared.
“Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) are responsible for carrying out the MOT in Northern Ireland.”
A spokesman for the Department for Infrastructure explained the main factor giving rise to increase in MOT booking times has been an unprecedented, sharp increase in applications for tests. According to the Department additional staff have been recruited and the Enniskillen Test Centre opened Sundays and the August bank holiday in a bid to address demand for vehicle tests.
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