Michael Healy-Rae
Question:90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/21]
View answerThursday, 14 October 2021
Questions (90)
Written answers
All Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017), all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle. 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.
As the Deputy has indicated, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided for a four-month extension to test due dates for vehicles with a test certificate in force on 28 March 2020, or to vehicles with a first test due falling during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 31 July 2020. This extension was granted to mitigate the anticipated backlog due to the temporary closure of test centres under Covid restrictions at the time.
Whether or not a vehicle will be given a two-year test certificate or a one-year test certificate has not been affected by the application of the extension. The date for testing continues to be the anniversary of the date of registration, with four months added for applicable vehicles.
The Deputy will note that operation of the National Car Test Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and as Minister I have no role in individual cases. I would advise vehicle owners contact the Authority directly for information regarding the status of their NCT.