DVA sets out next phase of Northern Ireland test-centre expansion at Hydebank, Mallusk, Campsie and Enniskillen

DVA has set out the next phase of investment in Northern Ireland's vehicle-testing network, with new infrastructure planned or progressing at Hydebank, Mallusk, Campsie and Enniskillen.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency's 2026/27 business plan says it will open new vehicle-testing centres at Hydebank and Mallusk during the year, complete associated equipment work and progress enabling work while seeking approval to proceed with proposed new centres at Campsie and Enniskillen.

Important: Enniskillen already has a DVA test centre

The wording around Enniskillen needs care. Northern Ireland already has an operating DVA vehicle-test centre at Coa Road, Chanterhill, Enniskillen.

The new business plan refers to work towards a new test-centre project in Enniskillen. It does not say that Enniskillen is currently without vehicle testing, and the plan does not in this section specify whether the future facility would replace, supplement or otherwise change the existing operation.

Until DVA publishes the project details, PureCar will not make assumptions about that.

What does the plan say about Hydebank and Mallusk?

DVA says the 2026/27 year will include opening new testing facilities at Hydebank and Mallusk and installing new vehicle-testing equipment at both locations.

The agency also says it intends to agree a rollout plan for new equipment across the existing test-centre network.

PureCar's current Northern Ireland MOT test-centre directory reflects the centres currently listed for customers and is checked separately against live DVA information. That directory should be used for today's bookings rather than assuming every project named in a business plan is already available for every test type.

Campsie and Enniskillen are at an earlier stage

For Campsie and Enniskillen, the wording is different. DVA says it will progress enabling work and seek approval to proceed with two new test centres.

That means motorists should not treat either project as a confirmed opening date. Approval, procurement, construction, equipment and commissioning can all affect when a new facility actually becomes operational.

Why the network is being expanded

DVA says demand for its services is growing and that it needs the capacity, capability and infrastructure to maintain delivery.

The agency's new quarterly statistics underline the scale of that demand: more than 305,000 vehicle-test applications were made between April and June 2026 alone.

Network investment is therefore not only about newer buildings. More lanes, equipment and geographic capacity can affect waiting times, resilience when a centre has problems and how far some motorists need to travel.

What changes for drivers today?

Nothing about a future project should override the booking confirmation in front of you. If you have an MOT appointment, use the centre, date and time shown by DVA.

If you are searching for availability, compare the currently bookable official centres rather than travelling to a site because it has appeared in an infrastructure announcement.

The wider DVA plan

The test-centre programme sits alongside a 35-day average waiting-time target for private-car MOT appointments, a separate 35-day target for Category B practical driving tests, a review of testing fees and further digital investment.

Those targets give a clearer picture of DVA's priorities for 2026/27: add capacity, modernise equipment, improve digital services and try to keep waiting times within the agency's target range.

Source

DVA Business Plan 2026-27, published by the Department for Infrastructure on 23 September 2026.