To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of the reason why there is a difference in cost between driving licence renewals in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is responsible for the administration of driver licensing for those drivers who are resident in the north and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Britain is responsible for the administration of driver licensing for drivers who are resident in England, Scotland and Wales.

The fee for an ordinary driving licence renewal in the north is higher than in Britain. This difference in fees is largely attributable to the economies of scale associated with the volumes of licences issued. Medical renewals and renewals for those aged 70 and over remain free of charge in both jurisdictions.