NCTSNational Car Testing Service

 1. When did car testing commence?

The testing of private vehicles (including second hand imports) commenced in Ireland on 4th January 2000. The test is known as the NCT (National Car Test).

 3. What cars must be tested and how often?

All cars four years and older must undergo an NCT. The NCT due date is calculated by reference to the date of first registration of the car with tests due every two years for cars younger than 10 years.

Annual testing is now a legal requirement for vehicles that present for their 10th anniversary test and each subsequent test. You can test your vehicle up to 90 days in advance of the anniversary of your registration date. Please note that testing your vehicle within the 90 day period will not alter the date on which your vehicle falls due for the NCT each year nor will it extend the NCT certificate expiry date.

Please refer to this FAQ document which can assist you with any queries you many have regarding the annual NCT and how your vehicle may be affected.

Remember: your NCT certificate will expire after the registration anniversary date regardless of when you take the test so there is no advantage in delaying it.

Commercial vehicles will continue to be tested at VTN centres.

 4. How do I know when my car is due to be tested?

All cars should be tested on or before the anniversary date of first registration of the car in the country of origin (see note regarding imported cars below). There is no link with motor tax or insurance expiry date.

PLEASE NOTE: NCTS can issue your certificate up to six months early for a first time NCT and three months early for subsequent NCT tests. For example, a car was first registered on the 5th June 2006. The car was due for its NCT on the 5th June 2010, the car is brought for its NCT on the 26th January 2010 and it passes. An NCT Certificate is received with an expiry date of 4th June 2012

 5. Are any cars exempt from the NCT?

Motor vehicles used only on islands not connected to the mainland by road and motor vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces, the Garda Síochana or the Fire Service are currently not subject to mandatory roadworthiness testing. Vehicles registered before 1980 are also exempt from the test.

 6. If my NCT is due, how can I arrange an inspection?

If your car is eligible for the NCT (please refer to testing chart above) then please phone us on 1890 412 413 or you can check our on-line service by simply typing in your car registration number and date of first registration of the vehicle (which can be found on your vehicle registration book, registration certificate or licensing certificate.

Cars that have been off the road or have not been taxed for over 3 months it will be necessary for the owner of the vehicle to contact NCTS directly themselves.

PLEASE NOTE: NCTS can issue your certificate up to six months early for a first time NCT and three months early for subsequent NCT tests. For example, a car was first registered on the 5th June 2008. The car was due for its NCT on the 5th June 2012, the car is brought for its NCT on the 26th January 2012 and it passes. An NCT Certificate is received with an expiry date of 4th June 2014

 7. Where do I get my car tested?

There are 47 NCT Centres located throughout Ireland established solely for the purposes of car testing, click here for the full list of NCT test centres. They are completely independent of the garage and motor trade. Individual motorists whose cars are eligible for testing may choose a centre that is nearest to them or any of the 46 centres.

 8. Who will carry out the test?

Applus+ was recently awarded the 10 year contract to manage the car testing service in Ireland. This contract which commenced in January 2010 saw the construction and operation of an additional two centres to increase the current network to a total of 46 Inspection centres. Applus+ will provide a state of the art technical solution to support the annual inspection of over 1.4 million vehicles.

 9. How much does the test cost and what are the payment methods?

The NCT fee for a full test is 55.00 Euro and a re-test costs 28.00 Euro (both fees are inclusive of VAT and maybe subject to change). Re-tests, which do not require the use of test equipment, will be free. Free re-tests cover minor items, for example, a visual inspection to check that faulty windscreen wipers have been replaced.

If you cancel a confirmed appointment with less than five working days notice (Mon. - Fri., not including the day of the test or the day you contact NCTS) or fail to show up for the test, a €22.00 surcharge will be applied when you next bring your car for testing. A similar surcharge of €11.50 will apply in the case of a re-test.

NCTS will accept cash, laser/Debit cards and all major credit cards (excluding American Express).

 10. What are the benefits of car testing?

Car testing will improve road safety and enhance environmental protection. Other benefits will include:

- Safer, more reliable cars, longer vehicle service life & reduced fuel consumption
- Reduced air and noise pollution
- Potential for lower insurance premiums
- Employment opportunities throughout Ireland

 11. What is examined during the test?

The items to be tested are specified in the EU Directive 2009/40/EC.

The National Car Test (NCT) Manual detailing the test standards has been published by The Road Safety Authority and is available for download on this site.

 12. How are emission standards applied to old cars?

The emission standards applied depend on the year of registration of the vehicle tested. Limits applied will depend on the year of manufacture.

 13. How can I best prepare for the NCT and what documents should I bring?

Please prepare for the test by ensuring that:
1. Your car has adequate oil and water.

2. The boot is empty and seats are clear of personal belongings such as removable baby seats. If the baby seat is left in the car for the NCT, it will be checked that it is fitted correctly.

3. The vehicle is reasonably clean (especially the under body).

4. The wheel hubcaps are removed (only in the case where the wheel nuts are not visible) and the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.

5. The engine is in a fit state to be tested e.g. Cam belt/timing belt. You may be asked to sign a disclaimer at the test centre.

6. Seat belts and clips are fully visible.

7. Your registration plates comply with current regulations.

8. NCTS recommend that you have your lights checked and set prior to the NCT.

9. Please ensure you bring identification (Driving licence or Passport only) with you as you will be asked to produce this when presenting your vehicle for inspection at the test
centre. From 1st May 2012, failure to produce the required identification will result in your vehicle not being issued an NCT certificate at the time of testing.

11. Don't forget to bring your vehicle registration book, registration certificate or licensing certificate and your test fee!

Please ensure you remove all valuables/personal belongings from the vehicle prior to the NCT.
If the above items are not taken care of, NCTS may be unable to test your vehicle.

 14. If I fail my NCT, when can I book a re-test?

All re-tests must be booked within 21 days of the initial test. Re-tests which do not require the use of a test lane, will be free of charge. Free re-tests will cover minor visual items for example, replacement of windscreen wiper and registration plates. Re-tests must be completed within 30 days of the initial test or a full test will need to be repeated and charged accordingly.

To help you understand why your vehicle failed its NCT, a brief explanation of a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) can be found by clicking here.

 15. How will car testing be enforced?

Enforcement is the responsibility of the Garda Siochana who have access to our records. All eligible cars must display an NCT Disc on their car windscreen, which will instantly identify cars that have passed the test.

 16. Will my car need its NCT if I have imported it from the U.K. or Northern Ireland where it already received an MOT?

The answer to this question is YES once it is of eligible age for the NCT in Ireland. Imported cars fall under two categories and this depends on when they are imported into Ireland, for more specific information on these categories please contact NCT Customer Services Department on 1890 200 670.

For further information on the importation of your vehicle please contact the Revenue Commissioner.

 17. How can the public be sure that the test will be fair and that everyone will be treated the same?

The National Car Test (NCT) is supervised and monitored by the AA (Automobile Association) and PWC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) on behalf of the Road Safety Authority. The network of NCT Centres operate independently of the motor trade and garage network, ensuring consistency of testing across the country. The NCT testing system is computer-controlled and highly automated and provides maximum test security and accuracy. Uniform standards are set out in the NCT Manual.

 18. What will I do if I lose my NCT Certificate or NCT Report?

You can replace any of the above for a fee of €12.70. You must go to your local Garda station and obtain an RF134 form, which must be stamped and signed by the Gardaí. Send this completed form back, along with either your windscreen disc or NCT Certificate, whichever part you may still hold, and a bank draft or postal order payable to Applus Car Testing Service Ltd., to: The Test Certificate Administrator, NCTS, Lakedrive 3026, Citywest Business Campus, Naas Road, Dublin 24.

For a replacement NCT Report, simply write in with car registration number, make and model and owner details along with the €12.70 fee to the Test Certificate Administrator at the above address. These fees may be subject to change.

 19. What additional inspection items were introduced into the NCT from April 2010?

An additional 7 inspection items were added to the NCT from April, these included: Clarity of windscreen and front side windows, Vehicle exhaust noise, Rear fog lamp, Reverse lamp, Rear registration plate lamp, Tyres and Malfunction indicators for Airbags, ESC and ABS. Click here to more information on these new inspection items.

 20. What vehicles are not tested by NCTS?

All Heavy Good and Light Goods vehicles must be inspected at an approved VTN centre and NOT at an NCTS centre.

Please note: Light Goods Vehicles are classed as the following: have the capacity to carry only two passengers, have no side windows and no operating rear side doors

 21. What quality control measures do NCTS have in place?

NCTS adheres to a very intensive independent monitoring regime covering all aspects of the company's activities, this is performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Automobile Association. All test equipment is calibrated on a strict regular basis by the equipment supplier and NCTS must supply the Automobile Association with calibration records for all our test equipment. Test equipment consistency checks are monitored and supervised by AA engineers.

In addition to the external checks carried out by the above, NCTS also conduct their own comprehensive internal audits covering checks such as the monitoring of the testing process, review and analysis of customer complaints, regular inspector assessments and mystery shopping where vehicles with known defects are put through the NCT inspection process to see if the faults are identified.

Why not check out the full list of quality controls that govern the operation of the National Car Testing Service.