NCT during the 2020/21 Covid19 pandemic

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118584149#Comment_118584149

I've used it before when I had left it a bit too near the deadline and it worked for me. Try repeatedly going through a few of the nearest test centres just after the 'magic hour' for the best chance of an appointment becomng available.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118576691#Comment_118576691

Yes there is a vague confusing warming on the website. It's somewhat new. If you are within 90 days of real expiry date then go ahead and book.

Waiting until midnight for extra slots can work, and phoning them works better but over the phone they often say you will get a text within 3 days with a random date and time for test which is not ideal. There are extra slots reserved for those who complain. It's a silly system and they are struggling to keep up with demand.

zg3409

Vaccinated30

If I have my nct booked but its out of date can I still drive

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118629823#Comment_118629823

It's an offence to drive a car with an out of date NCT. Ring the helpline and get a sooner date. If you do drive bring a print out of NCT booking which might help you if stopped. Ensure all other things like tax are up to date and have your driving licence with you and full insurance documents. Ideally dont drive, but unlikely you will face any penalty if only stopped for this one offence. You can re-tax your car with no NCT

Explosive_Cornflake

I got an appointment last night. I booked it around 1710, and there was about 6/7 slots available for that evening. It's worth looking after 5pm if you are ready to go.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118632237#Comment_118632237

I'd do my best to get your NCT done on time. The penalties for driving a vehicle without a valid NCT are fairly high.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driving_offences/driving_offences.html#lbc213

It is an offence to drive a vehicle in a public place without a current NCT certificate. This applies to vehicles from the fourth anniversary of their first registration. The penalty for driving without an NCT certificate is a fine of up to €2000, and/or up to 5 penalty points and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months.

I wouldn't be happy to have to rely on someone tuning a blind eye to it at the roadside, particularly with the controversy around quashing penalty points in the not too distant past.

pcardin

went online to book a nct for my wifes car. Test is due 29th March. NCT bookings offer nearest dates end of June early July. Anywhere in Dublin. Lol. This country is so backarsed and so behind any other European country on so many simple things and yet chancing every opportunity to brag about how modern they are. Idiots.

andrew1977

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118665134#Comment_118665134

I’m in the same boat with mine , NCT due end of March and can only get an appointment slot in July in my nearest test centre !

I couldn’t book a slot a few weeks back as I was getting a message something like “ not due for nct at this time “

How do we get a test in March ?

Muahahaha

Getting my first NCT test in over 10 years and only learning now from this thread that it is possible to book it four months before expiry. Was on a motorbike for the last 10 years so this stuff feels new to me. My cars NCT expires on March the 8th and the system is offering me an a booking June 10th which is a disaster as I need to get around. I'll be ringing them up and trying the midnight trick as suggested here but wondering if anyone knows if a car without a valid NCT then has its insurance invalidated?

Also have an engine light on, Im told its something to do with the catalytic converter. Will be going to the mechanics soon about it but wondering does that come under the NCT? Just in case I get offered something like a day or two away on the phone I dont want to go ahead with a test until that is sorted if they check catalytic converters on the test.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674802#Comment_118674802

NCT test details https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/services/s4.7-nct/nct-tester-manual-june-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=4cddfe90_5 See section 8.2.1 if the check engine light / engine management light is on the emissions test will not be performed / vehicle will therefore fail the emissions test.

waterfaerie

2008 car, NCT originally due in Jan 2021.

Extension applied so new due date was May 2021.

Haven't been leaving the house at all so never got it done.

It's now within 90 days of the next date, which would be May 2022, but the current cert is 9 and a half months expired.

When I try to book I get the early test warning message.

If I do it now will I get a cert until May 2023 or a 12 month cert from the pass date?

zg3409

Ignore that early warning message, it's often wrong and misleading. It's an offence to drive with expired NCT. I suggest all of you ring the helpline and ask for an earlier date.

In terms of just nearly 10 year old car I believe you much do test more than 90 days before 10th birthday of car in order to get 2 years NCT versus a one year cert for a test taken within 90 days.

Muahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118676278#Comment_118676278

Thanks for the info, glad you pointed it out. Have it booked into the mechanics now to sort it before hopefully getting a NCT date via phonecall

waterfaerie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677632#Comment_118677632

Thanks, I've read about the warning message sometimes being wrong but I'm just worried that in my case it might actually be right because there's no valid NCT on the car currently.

Does the 90 days to do it and still keep the same anniversary definitely apply to a car that's already 9 and a half months out of NCT? I don't want to get a 12 month cert with an earlier anniversary. I want to make sure I keep the May date for next year.

ofcork

Im getting that early warning message even though im inside the 90 days now even with the 4 month extension,earliest date available is actually my expiry date.

ofcork

Went online last night after 12 and got a date in blarney for tuesday at 8.30!

wonski

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118676278#Comment_118676278

muffler

Slightly off topic but I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable people might give an opinion. I had a bit of rust in one of the sills which was detected during the test and is now sorted. The retest is tomorrow but do I have to clear out the boot and glove compartment etc given that the cill is the only thing to be inspected?

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118842374#Comment_118842374

The sill should be the only thing they look at in the retest if that was the only fail. You shouldn't need to empty the boot or glove compartment.

RandomViewer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118842374#Comment_118842374

They'll only look at the fail, is just visual or retest?

muffler

The rust on the cill was the only fail point but it is a full retest though.

ofcork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118842037#Comment_118842037

They emailed yesterday and cancelled the test due to operational reasons didn't refund my money yet.

zg3409

Ring the help line to get priority. You can ignore any online warnings, they are stupid messages that don't make sense, just skip past them. Reminder an early test is 90 days, not 3 months, you can use online websites to find out date for 90 days early.

scudzilla

Not due until Oct but with all delays i made a booking yesterday for August (next available one), since when have they taken the 55 out when booking, every other time they just use card as security and charge you when you take test

DaveyDave

Got an appointment for 3 weeks from now after calling them and being put on the priority list. Next appointments were August no matter where I looked. Madness.

smurfjed

Returning and hoping to put my car back on the road after 2 years, first NCT test is august. What is the penalty form driving with the NCT out of date

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118862123#Comment_118862123

Stating the obvious, the penalty only kicks in if you are caught ... or do you mean if there is a penalty for not having a NCT cert for the last 2 years?

My last NCT expired in March 2021 and I just got the new cert on Monday last to cover the year up to March 2023. No questions asked about the year that was missed.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118862123#Comment_118862123

Telephone helpline for earlier date or if you try to go book there is an option to contact them.online and say if you cannot do weekdays etc, and they come back to you in a few days with a random date that fits within your limits. There seems to be 5 month standard delay at some centres. They keep slots for garages and complainers.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118862123#Comment_118862123

Penalties can be severe https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driving_offences/driving_offences.html#lbc213 see National Car Test (NCT) section under Roadworthiness of Vehicle.

"It is an offence to drive a vehicle in a public place without a current NCT certificate. This applies to vehicles from the fourth anniversary of their first registration. The penalty for driving without an NCT certificate is a fine of up to €2000, and/or up to 5 penalty points and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months."

You could also be left at the roadside and the vehicle towed and impounded.

If your insurance requires that the vehicle has a valid NCT certificate it may also invalidate your insurance. Driving without insurance is an even more serious offence https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/motor_tax_and_insurance/motor_insurance.html

"If you drive while uninsured, you could be fined up to €5000 and get 5 penalty points. You could also go to prison for up to 6 months. The judge may decide to disqualify you from driving instead of giving you penalty points."

In short, don't drive a vehicle without a valid NCT.

smurfjed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118872142#Comment_118872142

Ugh, sounds like I shall have to hire a car.

Flinty997

This year it told me I was too early to book and then told be there were no slots. I have similar problems every year for as long as I remember.

They need more centers and a better booking system.

Hyperbollix

If you book a test online and enter your card details, is the card charged immediately these days? I know it used to only get charged on the day you showed up for the test, but it looks like you pay straight away now?

barneygumble99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119006828#Comment_119006828

Yes

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007002#Comment_119007002

When did that change?

barneygumble99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007125#Comment_119007125

Maybe October /November last year

TrailerBob

Just went in to book NCTs for both cars... nearest date in our nearest centre in Carlow is the 27th of September!! Gards will need to make do with the text message confirming the booking! So much for clearing the backlog. They seem to be completely overwhelmed and the extension they gave during covid has done nothing to help, as that is now discontinued, leaving the extension cars clashing with the normal due date cars.

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119011457#Comment_119011457

It's funny I'm not really hearing how they'll turn a blind eye like they did during peak Covid, yet every appointment is months away so a ton of people will be driving around without a valid NCT.

In fairness I've seen one checkpoint in West Dublin/city centre this year, I've never seen so little Gardai on the roads as I have this year so they aren't checking anything anyway.

It's not your fault the NCT can't cope. No issues getting tyres fitted or services done on two cars in the last 6 months. Just NCT.

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119011457#Comment_119011457

You need to keep checking the website several times a day and especially after midnight, slots become available every day in the next week or two.

TrailerBob

I contacted them by phone today and they added the 2 cars to a cancellation list, and immediately refunded the fee, no quibbles. Hope to get a date in the next 4-5 weeks instead of months.

Very fair response for me.

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119006828#Comment_119006828

I booked my test in January for March 1, my card was debited on the day of the test.

TrailerBob

And to close my posts on this... I have just been given appointments for both cars for the end of May.... on the same day... at the same time....

trellheim

Booking today for a June expiry, next available date Fonthill 27 October ( over 5 months out ) sure what can you do but take it

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119060094#Comment_119060094

If you check the NCT website several times a day and especially just after midnight you’ll get a date within a few days or a couple of weeks. You can ring them either and get a test a lot sooner than that imo.

wonski

I just checked for fun and indeed next available appointment in Naas is at the end of October.

This is ridiculous.

My car is due in January for its first NCT and if I wasn't on boards I wouldn't know I have to book it next month lol.

Can't book for January yet, but December is available.

This should not be drivers responsibility to find a workaround, log on at midnight and all that crap.

The website also states this is drivers responsibility to have valid nct. WTF like.

wonski

Also my NCT expired in 1900 so I am 122 years out of date.

Hope the Gardaí won't prosecute me for this.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119060094#Comment_119060094

Either book an NCT at mid night and get a date within a few days or call them and get a date within a few weeks.

wonski

I normally sleep at midnight ;)

It's just silly that people have to book at midnight or beg them over the phone so the car can get tested.

This is not fit for purpose system so they should either offer another 4 or 6 months extension or update their online booking system more regularly.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119060468#Comment_119060468

It is silly but for some reason that's what's happening.

I checked mine in December and loads of availability for January, it was due end of January.

That lulled me into false sense of security.

From January on it just seems all the dates have been months away.

I booked mine at 23:30 ish and got appointment in 3 days....I have to say as annoying as it was they were extremely efficient at the centre....I think it was the quickest visit I've ever had . The tester was in my car within 5 mins of my arrival and off they went.

I'll happily take the 23:30 hit if it means less time hanging around an nct test centre tbh.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119060468#Comment_119060468

Ah I know I do agree with you. Before covid there was a month waiting list which isn’t too bad. But its just been getting worse and worse and has actually gotten worse since lockdown ended. I do NCT’s all the time but its even getting difficult to get a test date at midnight