Lengthy delays in NCT centres persist

National Car Test centres have been experiencing long waiting lists across the country.

Motorists are concerned if their car is insured, roadworthy or if they will be penalised by An Garda Síochána for not holding a valid NCT certificate.

On Monday of last week the next available waiting time for an NCT test in Cavan was November 24. In Monaghan, the earliest available date was September 13.

It is a legal requirement to have a valid National Car Test (NCT) certificate on a vehicle over four years of age.

A spokesperson from the Garda Press Office said An Garda Síochána are “cognisant” of delays experienced by NCT centres.

She explained where a vehicle is detected without a valid NCT certificate, but the driver can produce evidence of a test date or that the vehicle has been placed on a priority list, the garda will “take this into consideration” when deciding the appropriate course of action.

Motorists who cannot provide proof of examination or placement on a priority examination list may be prosecuted for not having a valid NCT certificate and are also liable to have their vehicle seized.

Road Safety Authority (RSA) executive officer John Paul Guiheen said “the law requiring cars to have a valid NCT certificate has not changed” with current backlogs in testing.

To avoid the situation, he said that NCT tests can be booked up to 90 days in advance of the test due date, which will not affect the expiry date of any new certificate issued.

“This system is in place to ensure all owners have sufficient time to have their vehicles successfully tested before the current certificate expires,” he explained.

Car insurance

Regarding car insurance, Mr Guiheen explained that Insurance Ireland confirmed that its members will be “pragmatic and understanding” in their approach to NCT delays.

“Cover will continue to be provided where customers, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain their NCT due to backlogs at test centres,” he assured.

“Under the current circumstances, provided motorists make every effort to book appointments in the normal way, insurance companies will recognise that the current issue is not the fault of the customer.”

The NCT service has advertised for suitable sites in the areas of Cootehill, Bailieborough, Clones and Carrickmacross in an attempt to cope with increased demand for testing services in this region.

Previous attempts to identify a site in the Cootehill area have, so far, proved unsuccessful. The service first advertised for a property in the Cootehill area in March 2021, readvertising again in June 2022.

According to the RSA, there are approximately 1.5 million cars to be tested in 2023.

Mr Guiheen explained that the first half of the year is always the “busiest period” for the NCTS as the test is due on the anniversary of the vehicle’s registration date, which mostly occur at the start of the year.