The system in Northern Ireland for testing cars road worthiness and emissions has been suspended affecting thousands of drivers.
The move has raised concerns for people due to have their tests carried out this week and the impact it will have on their tax or insurance if they do not have an up to date MOT cert.
The MOT in Northern Ireland is the equivalent of the Irish NCT, which is a compulsory vehicle inspection programme.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency cancelled all tests for cars and light vehicles due to problems with lifts in MOT centres.
In a statement, Chief Executive Paul Duffy said inspections of lift faults in test centres did not provide "sufficient assurance" on the effectiveness of ongoing repairs.
An inspection of all vehicle lifts in Northern Ireland's MOT centres previously detected "signs of cracking" in 48 of 55 lifts, he added.
All customers, except customers with four-year-old vehicles and taxis, will be automatically issued an MOT exemption certificate and therefore can continue to drive.
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This means anyone looking for an MOT for the first time or any taxi drivers will not be offered an exemption certificate and legally cannot drive.
This is because four-year-old cars have never been through an MOT before, meaning they do not have a certificate to extend, while taxis are covered by different legislation.
For those who do qualify, the exemption will be recorded in the DVA system and a hard copy will be sent out by post.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency said it is working urgently to find a solution to assist customers with four-year-old vehicles and taxis.
Tests on heavy goods vehicles and buses will continue.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon has ordered two independent reviews into how this situation with lift equipment at MOT test centres arose.
This afternoon, Ms Mallon visited the Driver and Vehicle Agency Boucher Road test centre in Belfast to meet staff and centre managers regarding the ongoing disruption.
"I have reassured staff and customers I have met that the absolute priority is the health and safety of all. While I share the huge frustration and concern this has caused, I want to be clear, there will be absolutely no risks taken on my watch," she said.
"I have a duty to protect staff and customers and therefore, until I am satisfied, a suspended service remains in place for MOT testing for cars and light vehicles. Anyone scheduled for a car or light vehicle MOT should not attend."
Ms Mallon said she has received assurance that the temporary cert for customers - except taxis and those with four-year-old cars - will allow people to tax and insure their cars.
"The exemption will be recorded in the DVA system and a hard copy will arrive by post in the coming days. I am also pleased to have received reassurance from the Association of British Insurers that no policy holders will be penalised for something that is entirely out of their control. Drivers are still advised to contact their individual insurers."
However, this afternoon Ms Mallon said their priority is for people whose car is four years old and needs an MOT and taxi drivers who are covered under different legislation.
"The DVA is continuing to work to urgently contact all owners of taxis and four-year-old cars to book them for MOT tests. Priority is being given to those with MOTs that have expired or expire today, so motorists can tax and drive their vehicles.
"Testing on heavy goods vehicles and buses will continue, and the heavy duty lanes will also be used to prioritise taxis and four-year-old car customers. I have instructed officials to ensure extended opening hours are in place in order to minimise disruption to customers."
The Minister continued: "While this has been a stressful situation for many, I have acted as soon as I was aware, to instruct officials to take action to protect and communicate with the public. I want to reassure the public that, while I have inherited this mess, as I am only two weeks in the job, I will not be leaving customers in this situation again. That is why I have instructed my Permanent Secretary to commission two separate reviews, which I will oversee.
"The first is an investigation of the timeline and events that led up to the situation that arose last night. I need greater assurance than I have at present about the maintenance and testing regime in operation within DVA and about the way in which initial concerns about the lifting equipment were followed up and addressed. I want to know the precise timeline and to understand who knew what and when and all actions were taken. This review will be carried out independently by professional auditors managed from outside the Department.
"The second review will be carried out by an external expert which we are currently in the process of appointing and will provide me with independent advice on the steps that need to be taken to return our MOT centres urgently to a position where a full testing service can be provided. It is not acceptable to me that we are in a position where the DVA cannot guarantee a safe operating environment. It is equally unacceptable to me to have a lengthy period where vehicles are not undergoing the tests needed to ensure they are roadworthy and to keep all of us safe on the roads.
"I am closely monitoring this situation and I will be upfront and honest with the public. That's why I have asked that communications issue regularly to the public, staff and Executive colleagues. Today, efforts have been put in place to deal with the imminent challenges facing customers, but that's not enough. I have instructed officials today to present urgently to me further options to put in place a full business recovery plan to get this service back into full operation. I am determined to get a safe, sustainable and trusted service up and running as soon as and as safely as possible - and I commit to keeping the public updated."
