Arising from industrial action earlier this year at the National Car Testing Service – NCTS Limited – the requirement to present a valid NCT certificate in order to tax a car liable to testing was suspended. Having received firm assurances by the company that it had restored service to a position where every car owner who required a test was being offered an appointment for the test well in advance of the date on which the test certificate was required, my Department reinstated the requirement to present an NCT certificate when taxing a car liable for the test, with effect from 1 November. As an additional customer service safeguard, the company undertook to provide urgent test appointments for any car owner requiring an NCT certificate in order to tax his/her vehicle.
I am aware that there have been difficulties such as those referred to by the Deputy. I am investigating these at present in conjunction with the company with a view to any appropriate action.