A RAFT of fee increases will come into force in April affecting driving tests, driving licence renewals and registration of vehicles.
The cost of a 10-yearly driving licence update goes up from £30 to £35, a provisional licence increases from £20 to £21 to cover the cost of supplying a theory and hazard perception test DVD, and the supplementary fee for an emergency driving licence rises from £30 to £32 in addition to the standard fee.
Infrastructure Minister David Cretney, presenting the measures in Tynwald, told members the increases would generate £9,000 extra revenue bringing the total to £187,500.
Driving theory tests carried out for the government by the Isle of Man College will also rise by £2 from £33 to £35.
Practical car tests go up too from £45 to £55 and for motorcyclists from £50 to £55. The new weekend charge is £65 for either.
Mr Cretney said fee increases helped income keep pace with inflation and had been phased in over a number of years to bring them in line with the actual cost of conducting the tests. It would also redress the shortfall built up over many years with no increases.
He said the money would help to fund road safety measures and offset a reduction in revenue caused by falling numbers of vehicles on the roads.
‘While the increases are high, it is important to cover costs and no-longer subsidise the tests,’ he said.
In 2011-12 driving test fees amounted to £218,000. The increases are expected to generate an extra £13,000.
