Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
A non-emergency road traffic incident can be reported to PSNI through its online reporting service or by calling 101 where appropriate.
Call 999 when dangerous driving is creating an immediate risk to life or serious harm, or a serious collision/emergency is happening now.
Report dangerous driving to PSNI using 999 for an immediate threat or emergency, or the non-emergency reporting channels for incidents that are no longer urgent.
Yes. If you have dash-cam footage of dangerous or careless driving, you can report the incident to PSNI and tell them that video evidence is available.
PSNI’s Fatal Five are speeding, drink or drug driving, careless driving, not wearing a seat belt, and using a mobile phone while driving.
You cannot repeatedly use a speed-awareness course for every offence; eligibility includes a previous-course restriction.
PSNI/NIRSP offers a speed-awareness course only where the driver and offence meet its eligibility criteria.
If you already have more than nine points, PSNI says a safety-camera speeding case will normally go directly to court unless you qualify for an alternative course.
A company must respond to a PSNI Notice of Intended Prosecution and identify the driver where required.
Do not guess or name someone without a proper basis. Complete the NIP honestly, explain the problem and provide the information you genuinely have.
Yes. The person or company receiving the PSNI/NIRSP driver-information requirement must identify the driver or provide the information legally required.
The registered keeper is normally sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution asking for the driver details after a safety-camera speeding detection.
Yes. PSNI lists stopping on a motorway among offences for which an endorsable fixed penalty can be issued.
Yes. PSNI can issue an endorsable fixed penalty for defective tyres where the offence and circumstances meet the fixed-penalty criteria.
Yes. A person who receives a non-endorsable PSNI fixed penalty can choose the court-hearing option instead of simply paying it.
A non-endorsable PSNI fixed penalty can be paid online or through the payment methods listed by PSNI and Laganside Court.
PSNI’s non-endorsable FPN guidance says you must comply with the payment or court-hearing option within the period stated on the notice; its current FAQ gives 21 days for the initial options.
Follow the deadline printed on the notice. Endorsable fixed penalties can involve separate requirements for producing documents and accepting the offer.
An endorsable fixed penalty can add penalty points to the driving record, while a non-endorsable notice carries a fine without licence points.
A non-endorsable PSNI fixed penalty is a monetary penalty for certain motoring offences that does not add penalty points to your driving licence.
Yes. DVA can reject or return an application if the driving-licence photograph does not meet the published photo rules.
Proof of identity is required for applications where DVA needs to establish or re-establish your identity, such as many first applications or where previous identity checks are insufficient.
Contact DVA Driver Licensing if the licence has not arrived six weeks after you applied.
DVA says it aims to process a fully completed renewal application within 10 working days, although medical or identity checks can make it take longer.
You may be able to drive while DVA processes a renewal in some circumstances, but it depends on the status of your previous licence and the legal conditions that apply.
Generally no: the NI online renewal service is for people resident in Northern Ireland, and DVA licensing depends on residency.
Yes. You can change your address as part of an online Northern Ireland driving licence renewal.
DL2 is used for Northern Ireland lorry and bus driving licence applications and vocational entitlements.
DL1 is the main Northern Ireland application form for car, motorcycle and certain other Group 1 driving licence applications and changes.
Sometimes, but not automatically. Whether you may keep driving while DVA investigates depends on the condition, your existing licence and the medical/licensing rules.
