National Car Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Questions (294)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

294. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17033/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I would firstly seek to clarify to the Deputy that all Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out a periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. This is an essential safety check and an important road safety measure that provides for a reduction in road accidents by detecting defects such as faulty brakes, worn tyres or defective headlights.

The applicable dates for periodic testing is provided for by national legislation. Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415/2017), the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date. Accordingly, all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle and any NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle is only valid up to the test due date that falls after that certificate was issued.

While it is not possible for me to comment on individual circumstances, I would remind the Deputy that vehicles under the scope of S.I. No. 415 of 2017 are required to have a valid NCT Certificate in force against that vehicle on the fourth anniversay of the first registration of that vehicle and "until the tenth anniversary of first registration of the vehicle, each subsequent biennial of that date". It is therefore only required to be tested on the subsequent biennial anniversary of the test due date, until such a time as it reaches its 10th anniversary of registration - when it will be required to be tested on each subsequent anniversary.

I would also remind the Deputy that is the responsibility of road users to ensure that their vehicle is in compliance with the law and in possession of a valid roadworthiness certificate if it is intended that the vehicle will be used on a public road or in a public place, regardless of the level of use anticipated. Enforcement of Road Traffic Regulations, including the validity of a roadworthiness certificate, is the responsibility of An Garda Siochana.