GOOD news for motorists put on a long waiting list for their NCT is that if they fail to secure a booking within a four-week timeframe, the day of reckoning comes free.
And if stopped at a Garda checkpoint without a valid NCT disc, a letter confirming their application for the test will suffice.
A representative at the National Car Testing headquarters in Dublin told the Limerick Post that the current waiting time for the test was approximately three weeks nationwide and added that there is a free system in place for those waiting over four weeks. “The guards are happy to accept a letter from us confirming that a driver has applied for a test if their current disc is out of date,” said the spokesperson. Continued on page 4.
Free NCT- after four week booking wait
A senior garda member at Henry Street told the Limerick Post that “common sense would prevail” when it came to the display of a valid disc.
“The vast majority of motorists are law abiding and if they have not been able to get an NCT test, through no fault of their own, gardaí will use common sense in dealing with the matter”.
One local motorist told the Limerick Post that she was informed by NCT that a date was not available until November.
The representative explained that motorists are placed on the priority list if they contact the NCT to request an earlier test.
“Most people are happy to wait up to seven weeks for a test if they have to, because it gives them time to get everything in order to give them the best chance of passing the test.
“If someone requires an early appointment they are placed on the priority list, but this doesn’t happen too often as usually people are waiting just two to three weeks”.
However, a motorist who attempted to be placed on the priority list was told that she must lose her original appointment and may have to wait even longer for an appointment if a priority date cannot be secured.
A host of new requirements have been introduced to the NCT test as of April this year, including the obligation to have tyres stamped with the ‘E-mark’, confirming that the tyre meets the minimum EU or International standard in relation to its dimensions, load and speed rating.
The Limerick NCT centre is based in Ballysimon.
