See all Motoring NewsFollowing an announcement by Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross and the Road Safety Authority, it has been confirmed that the NCTS (National Car Testing Service) is currently suspended until further notice to help tackle the spread of COVID-19. This means the NCT online booking service remains closed until testing is resumed.
Those who have an upcoming NCT should have received an SMS from NCTS confirming that their appointment has been cancelled, while cancellation fees have been waived. Those who have not received a message from NCTS should not turn up to a test centre as the centres are now closed. NCTS is advising customers to rebook their NCT when normal service resumes, and that it will update its website when this is the case.
NCTS is advising those who have an expired NCT or a soon-to-expire NCT to contact their insurance company to understand their insurer's stance on use of the vehicle at this time. Some insurance companies are adopting a pragmatic position in these exceptional circumstances, but it is important to check this before you use the vehicle. As the Government has advised the public to stay at home and to only drive vehicles for essential business, it expects these measures to not effect everyone.
The Department of Transport is currently considering extending the date on NCT certificates and will advise the public on these measures shortly. It is also considering how it will approach retests and whether this will remain valid outside of the 30 day period. NCTS is advising customers to continue to check the www.ncts.ie website for further updates.