The production of an NCT certificate when taxing a motor car has not been a requirement since 12 December 2001 when, arising from an industrial dispute at National Car Testing Service Limited earlier that year which affected testing, some motorists were experiencing difficulties in arranging tests in sufficient time to obtain the NCT certificate needed for their motor tax application. On the resumption of normal testing service, the demand for the NCT indicated that restoration of the NCT/motor tax link was not necessary as NCT compliance rates were on a par with those for motor tax. It is a matter for individual insurance companies whether to require the production of an NCT certificate when insuring a motor car. It is an offence to use in a public place a motor car that is liable to vehicle testing without it having a valid NCT test certificate.