National Car Test

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Questions (267, 268)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

267. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the current average wait time for NCT tests in each test centre nationwide in tabular form. [1727/23]

View answer

268. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if car dealers have any arrangement with NCT test centres which would see their vehicles processed more swiftly than vehicles belonging to members of the public. [1728/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's queries to the Authority for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

I write further to your Dáil Question Number’s 267 and 268 in relation to the current average wait time for NCT tests in each test centre nationwide in tabular form and if car dealers have any arrangement with NCT test centres which would see their vehicles processed more swiftly than vehicles belonging to members of the public.

The average lead time for a full test appointment last week was 25.06 days. Before the pandemic the waiting time would have been less than 12 days. A full breakdown of the booking lead time for each test centre is available at the following link: nct_booking_lead_time_dec-2022.pdf (ncts.ie)

There are currently no restrictions or limits on the number of vehicles that can be booked via the standard NCT website www.ncts.ie and this facility is available to all NCT customers, traders, private customers or otherwise.

As an additional facility, an online Trade Management self-service portal is provided to members of the Motor Trade. This portal has been in existence for a number of years and has proved very successful during this time. Once a trader is registered with the trade management scheme (TMS) they are provided a unique Trader I.D and enjoy the following benefits.

- Ability to manage and substitute vehicles for a periodic inspection and an unlimited number of retests.

- Ability to substitute a vehicle at no cost in advance of the test.

- Option to pay for multiple bookings at one time.

- Ability to add vehicles to a live cancellation list alongside a smother check-in process at a centre.

The vast majority of large traders are already registered with the TMS. There are small traders (usually one man operations) who are reluctant to sign up because of the registration process.

I trust this information is of assistance to you.

Question No. 268 answered with Question No. 267.