To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) when she plans to remove the written counterpart to the Northern Ireland driving licence; and (ii) when she will put in place any necessary consequential mechanisms to identify penalty points and other matters.

The DVA has made significant enhancements to the Driver Licensing System since its introduction and is currently reviewing and prioritising further developments. An assessment of the work needed to support the abolition of the paper counterpart will form part of this review. The timescale for the delivery of these enhancements will be dependent on the availability of resource to take this forward, including the engagement with key stakeholders to ensure any consequential issues are addressed.

The legislative framework to enable the replacement of the statutory function of the counterpart is in place, but the relevant law will require a Commencement Order.