Vol. 538 No. 1
197 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the impact the recent strike by car testers has had on the schedule for car testing; the age of cars being tested; if owners of cars who expected to be notified already have been contacted; the length of delay there will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17476/01]
Cars registered between 1992 and 1996 are due to undergo the national car test – NCT – during the current year. The recent strike at the National Car Testing Service – NCTS – resulted in 49,192 appointments for car tests being cancelled. More than 70% of the cars involved have since been tested.
NCTS offers provisional appointments to customers who are due a NCT test. Provisional appointments are currently being offered for dates about four weeks following the due date of the test. As the backlog of testing is cleared, provisional test appointments will be issued for dates in advance of the test due date. In scheduling tests, NCTS accommodate as a priority those who contact them directly to arrange a test for the due date.
