Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
206. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the NCT exemption for vintage cars and tractors to cover vintage lorries registered prior to 1980 in view of the fact these lorries are generally used at charity events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48675/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial vehicle roadworthiness testing regulations provide that all commercial vehicles, including vintage lorries, must be tested when they are over one year old and annually thereafter. Such vehicles must have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. Although there is no exemption for older vehicles, such vehicles are tested to the standards that they were originally designed to meet. There is currently no requirement for tractors used in a public place to be roadworthiness tested. Regular testing ensures that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age, are maintained to a minimum standard of roadworthiness. Vintage vehicles, even if only covering low mileage, may still have roadworthiness concerns such as perishing of rubber components or seizure of brake actuators following periods of inactivity.
Excluding any category of vehicle from annual roadworthiness testing based solely on the declared usage of the vehicle could have road safety implications. It could also lead to the anomalous situation whereby vehicles being used commercially may unfairly seek to claim an exemption from testing.
In relation to vintage cars, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2009, SI 567 of 2009, exempt cars first registered prior to 1 January 1980 from the NCT. However, if such a car is used as a Small Public Service Vehicle it must be tested regardless of its age. As with vintage lorries, such cars are tested to the standards that they were originally designed to meet.
Action 59 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 provides that the RSA will conduct a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for the inclusion of such vehicles in roadworthiness testing.
