The following are some answers to the frequently asked questions regarding the National Car Test. Please select a question from the list below. If you are unable to find the answer to your question then please contact our Customer Service Department on 1890 200 670 or e-mail info@ncts.ie where a member of the NCT staff will be delighted to help you with your query.

Select a question from the list below:

 

1.   When did car testing commence?
2.   Why has car testing been introduced?
3.   What cars must be tested and how often?
4.   How do I know when my car is due to be tested?
5.   Are any cars exempt from the NCT?
6.   Will I be notified when my test is due?
7.   Where do I get my car tested?
8.   Who will carry out the test?
9.   How much will the test cost?
10. What are the benefits of car testing?
11. What will be examined during the test?
12. How are emission standards applied to old cars?
13. How can I best prepare for the NCT?
14. If I fail my NCT, when can I book a re-test?
15. How will car testing be enforced?
16. Will my car need an NCT if I have imported it from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland or another country where it has already received a roadworthiness certificate?
17. How can the public be sure that the test will be fair and that everyone will be treated the same?
18. What will I do if I lose my NCT Certificate or NCT Report?

 

 

 

 

 

 1. When did car testing commence?

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

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 2. Why has car testing been introduced?

The NCT was introduced to improve road safety and environmental protection and to comply with the EU Directive 2009/40/EC, which makes car testing compulsory in all EU member states.

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 3. What cars must be tested and how often?

All cars four years and older must undergo an NCT. Test Certificates will be valid for up to 2 years (from the date the test is due to the registration anniversary date two years later).

Commercial vehicles will continue to be D.o.E. tested.

The following chart will help you determine what year your vehicle is due in for testing.


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 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

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 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.

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 6. Will I be notified when my test is due?

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 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

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 7. Where do I get my car tested?

There are 46 NCT Centres located throughout Ireland established solely for the purposes of car testing, click here for the full list of 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.

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 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 also sees the construction and operation of an additional two centres which will see the current network increase 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.

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

The car test fee is 50.00 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.

NCTS will accept cash, personal cheque with bankers card, all major credit cards and laser cards.

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 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

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 11. What is examined during the test?

The items to be tested are specified in the EU Directive.

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

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 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.

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

On the day of the test please bring your vehicle registration book, registration certificate or licensing certificate and don’t forget your test fee.

Click here to download a copy of the NCT insert on preparing for your NCT (Link to the PDF of the NCT insert) paying special attention to the condition of the headlight alignment, exhaust emissions and brake performance.

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 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.

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 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.

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 16. Will my car need it's 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.

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 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 NCTS testing system is computer-controlled and highly automated and provides maximum test security and accuracy. Uniform standards are set out in the NCT Manual.

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 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 cheque 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.

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