The wearing of face coverings in the NCT test centres for both staff and customers is now mandatory. This is considered necessary as the next step in the fight against the coronavirus.

Entry to the test centre will be refused if customers are not wearing a face covering. 

We are following the advice of Government regarding the exemptions for those not required to wear face coverings.

We have a full list of your most frequently asked questions about testing and COVID19 on our  FAQ document

Please continue to check the NCTS and RSA websites for updates. However, below are answers to the most popular questions you have asked over the past few days

1. I was due an underbody inspection as I only had a partial inspection due to the lifts issue, will I now have to undergo a full test again?

If your vehicle has travelled more than 5000km since the partial test, it will also be subjected to a brake and suspension test in addition to the underbody inspection.  This will be free of charge. 

However, if your vehicle has completed less that 5000km, it will only require an underbody inspection. This will also be free of charge

2. I was due an underbody inspection as I only had a partial test and my car also failed the brake test, will I have to undergo a full test again?

Yes, your car will have to undergo a full test.  It will be charged at the retest fee of €28.

3. I have completed my initial inspection and was due to return for a visual retest. If I go outside the 30 days retest deadline will I have to undergo a full NCT inspection again?

Yes, where it is more than 30 days since the initial test it will be necessary to undergo the full NCT free of charge. 

4. I have completed my initial inspection and was due to return for a retest that requires the use of equipment. If I go outside the 30 days retest deadline will I have to undergo a full NCT inspection again?

Yes, as it is more than 30 days since the initial test it will be necessary to undergo the full NCT again, this will be charged at a re-test price of €28.

5. My NCT certificate is currently on hold as I did not have ID with me on the day of the test.  As the test centre concerned closed I am unable to present my ID how do I get the NCT certificate released?

Your certificate may be issued at any test centre by presenting the vehicle with the ID. 

6. My vehicle was issued with a pass pending recheck before testing was suspended but has not been issued with a NCT certificate. Can I arrange to have the recheck completed?

Your certificate may be issued at any test centre when the service resumes by presenting the vehicle with the relevant items repaired.

The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has now updated all records for those customers’ vehicles that qualified for the 4 month test extension as announced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross in April. A vehicle with a test due date on or after 28^th March 2020 has now had their test date extended by 4 months, see example below 

*Cars first registered on or after 1st August 2016 are not eligible for the 4 month extension.

Customers should note this change and are encouraged to check their new test due date on the Check NCT Due Date section on the NCTS website before booking their test.

NCTS are reminding customers that if they book a test that is more than 90 days earlier than the test due date, the test will be a voluntary early test and the NCT certificate issued will be valid for 1 or 2 years (depending on the age of the vehicle) from the date of the successful test.  NCTS are asking customers to note carefully the website messages they receive throughout the course of the booking process.

NCTS can now confirm that following the successful reopening of the first 19 centres, we intend on opening the remaining 28 centres on a phased basis. The reopening is subject to the Government’s approval of the start of phase 3 of the Road Map to ease Covid19 restrictions.

The remaining centres will be reopening in the following blocks and appointments for these centres are available online at www.ncts.ie once approval for the phase is granted.

The reopening of these centres will be aligned with the Governments Roadmap for reopening Society and Business. As information and guidance from public health officials change, we will reassess and change our procedures and protocols accordingly.

Customers with a test due date prior to 28 March and those affected by the lifts issue are being prioritised.

Further updates will be provided on the website www.ncts.ie over the coming days.

To enable the re-opening of centres the NCTS has put detailed measures in place, in each test centre, to mitigate against the spread of COVID19 and to protect both customers and staff, more information on what you should expect are outlined below and in our FAQ.

Protocol for Staff:

• Before each inspection, all vehicle inspectors must wash their hands with soap and water and wear a new set of disposable gloves.
• Leave all entrance doors open where possible to minimise the risk of virus transfer via door handles.
• Leave Vehicle Inspection Reports and NCT Certificates (if applicable) on the front seat of the customer’s vehicle following the test, thus eliminating the need for customers to re-enter the test centre, unless they have a query.

Protocol for customers

• It is now mandatory that customers wear a face covering on the day of inspection, customers will not be permitted to enter the NCT building without a face covering.
• Tests must be booked and paid online
• In advance of attending for NCT, please ensure your vehicle is being presented in a hygienic state and free of any unhygienic matter such as used tissues, gloves and wipes.
• Only customers with confirmed appointments should present their vehicle for inspection.
• Only one person must present the vehicle for inspection and we are asking that vulnerable drivers and those with an underlying illness do not attend, we ask that they organise for someone else to present their vehicle where possible.
• A maximum number of customers will be permitted to enter the centre and this will be clearly sign posted as you enter the centre.
• Please ensure you wear the correct clothing attire to the test centre as you may have to wait outside the building while your vehicle is inspected.
• All customers must adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
• Driver identification will still be required to be shown at check in, but it should not be handed to the staff member.
• Once checked in, customers will be advised to wait in their vehicles or if they prefer to wait outside the building.
• Leave windows lowered slightly to allow for air to ventilate naturally throughout the vehicle.
• Ensure the air vents in the vehicle are closed and the fans are reduced to the lowest level.
• Once the inspection is complete, the Vehicle Inspection Reports and NCT Certificates (if applicable) will be left on the front seat of the customer’s vehicle following the test, thus eliminating the need for customers to re-enter the test centre, unless they have a query.

Certificate Extension:

We understand you may have some questions regarding your NCT Certificate validity and more information on this can be found here. 

NCTS has now updated the new test due date for all vehicles that qualified for the 4 month extension as announced by the Minister. Customers are encouraged to check their new test due date.

The extension of NCT due dates applies only to vehicles with a test due date of 28 March 2020 or later. 

The reopening of the remaining NCT centres will be on a phased basis during June and July, this reopening will be aligned with the Governments Roadmap for reopening Society and Business. As information and guidance from public health officials change, we will reassess and change our procedures and protocols accordingly.

Please continue to check the NCTS website for further updates.

Taximeter verification inspections have now recommenced having previously been suspended due to covid-19. 

To enable the resumption of service, a number of detailed measures are now in place to mitigate against the spread of COVID19 and to protect both customers and staff. When attending the Test Centre, we are asking customers to please adhere to the following protocols:

• Only customers with confirmed appointments should present their vehicle for inspection and the wearing of a facemask during the inspection is mandatory.
• Only one person must present the vehicle for inspection and we are asking that vulnerable drivers and those with an underlying illness do not attend, we ask that they organise for someone else to present their vehicle where possible.
• A maximum number of customers will be permitted to enter the centre and this will be clearly sign posted as you enter the centre.
• Please read all signage, and maintain a safe distance from our staff and other customers at all times when in the test centre.
• Please ensure you wear the correct clothing attire to the test centre as you may have to wait outside the building while your vehicle is inspected.
• All customers must adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
• Once checked in, customers will be advised to wait in their vehicles or if they prefer to wait outside the building.
  Leave windows lowered slightly to allow air to ventilate naturally throughout the vehicle.

Applus Car Testing Service was awarded the Go Best Service Award for the operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) at the recent Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards held in Dublin.

The GO Awards Ireland are open to public, private and third sector organisations across the Republic and Northern Ireland and showcases the very best that public sector procurement has to offer. Spokesperson for Applus, Sinead McKeon said, “We are extremely proud to receive this prestigious award which highlights excellence in our customer service. Winning this award recognises and acknowledges the hard work that all our staff put into constantly improving the service which we provide to over 2 million members of the public every year”

Applus Car Testing Service recently achieved a significant milestone in attaining the security standard ISO 27001:2013 –Information Security Management Systems Certification Standard. After a series of complex and stringent audit processes conducted by Certification Europe, Applus were awarded the standard for the operation of the National Car Testing Service.

This International standard is recognised globally for managing risks to the security of information held by a company. It enables us to prove to customers and clients that we are managing the security of the information we hold.

This is a very important standard for Applus Car Testing Service Ireland to achieve and played a pivotal role in the awarding by the RSA of the 10-year NCTS contract to Applus.

In photo: Applus staff, Paul Hackett Anderson, Mark Synnott, Peter Seacy and Brian Casey

In accordance with EU Directive 2014/45, a number of changes to the periodic vehicle inspection have come into force across all EU Member States. These changes are to unify vehicle inspection across the EU.

The changes are as follows

1. Recognition of unexpired term of Roadworthiness Certificates issued by other Member States

If you import a second hand vehicle from another EU Member State and the vehicle has a current EU Roadworthiness Certificate, you can have the unexpired portion of the certificate recognised by exchanging your out-of-state roadworthiness certificate for an Irish issued EU recognition certificate.

In order to obtain an EU recognition certificate for a private vehicle you must complete an application form and return the completed application form and required fee of €15.50 (this fee is being waived until further notice) with the original or a certified true copy of the out of state roadworthiness certificate (if the certificate is not in English, please ensure you provide a translation of the certificate in the English language) to the following postal address: Certificate Administrator, Applus Car Testing Service Ltd, Citywest Business Campus, Lakedrive 3026, Naas Road, Dublin 24, D24 RC8V.

The Irish issued EU recognition roadworthiness certificate will be issued by post to the current registered owner of the vehicle.

2. Amendments to treatment of Vintage Vehicles

If your vehicle is aged between 30-39 years (based on the vehicle's date of first registration) and you are not using your vehicle for commercial purposes, it will now have to undergo a roadworthiness test every two years instead of annually.

If you are using your vehicle for commercial purposes, for example as a wedding hire vehicle, there is no change to the test frequency and you must continue to have your vehicle tested annually.

Please note: if your vintage vehicle was inspected during the period 20th May 2017 to 19th May 2018, you will be entitled to a two year certificate. NCTS will endeavour to write to each customer affected detailing the requirements in order to amend their current NCT certificate. All queries regarding this change can be dealt with by the customer service department on (01) 4135994.

3. Categorisation of deficiencies into Minor, Major & Dangerous

In accordance with EU Directive 2014/45 and from 13th August 2018 defects will be classified as minor, major or dangerous and will appear in this format on your NCT Vehicle Inspection Report.

Minor Result
Should a customer receive this result, the vehicle has passed the test with minor faults recorded. The customer is required to have these faults repaired. The customer will have to present the vehicle for re-inspection before an NCT Certificate is issued

Major Result
Previously classed as a Fail Refusal:
The customer will be advised that the vehicle has failed the NCT. The vehicle owner will have 30 days in order to have the item repaired and returned to the centre for re-inspection. An NCT Certificate will not be issued until the vehicle is returned for inspection.
If the vehicle is not presented within the 30-day period then a new inspection will need to be conducted

Dangerous Result
Where a vehicle is failed because of a dangerous defect that constitutes a direct or immediate risk to road safety such that, the vehicle should not be used on the road under any circumstances.
A sticker stating failed dangerous will be affixed to the vehicle by the Vehicle Inspector. The vehicle must be presented for re-inspection and receive a Pass Result before an NCT Certificate is issued.
It is illegal and unsafe for a motorist to drive a vehicle with a dangerous defect, which means the vehicle owner may incur penalty points and a court appearance if caught by An Garda Síochána.

For further information on the items inspected in the NCT, please refer to the NCT Manual

4. Amendments to treatment of vehicles which transfer from SPSV to Private

Upon a vehicle ceasing to be a public service vehicle, the test due date for such a vehicle shall be on the basis that the next test due date shall be the date on which the then current test by date expires and each subsequent test due date shall be the anniversary of that date.

Mr. Noel Brett, CEO RSA together with Mr. Pat O' Brien and Mr. Paul Hetherington of INAB formally presented Aisling McGuigan and Eamonn Power of NCTS with ISO 17020 certification.

The ISO 17020 standard is awarded to inspection bodies who demonstrate high levels of competence in the field of inspection, and the National Car Testing Service is the only inspection programme of its kind to be accredited to this standard. All aspects of the NCTS process were audited ranging from the independence, impartiality and integrity of the service to the quality systems in place, the inspection methods and procedures to the handling of inspection reports and certificates. The standard also focused on the efficiency of managing customers including the complaints and appeal process and premises.

Leading global test, inspection and certification company Applus+ have welcomed the news, they have are awarded the contract to continue the provision of the National Car Testing Service in Ireland from June 2020 for a further period of ten years.

Applus+ have operated the contract since January 2010 and during the last 9 and half years have conducted over 18 million vehicle inspections across its network of 47 test centres.

The new contract will allow Applus+ to provide a range of additional benefits to customers such as the opening of new testing centres across the country, newly refurbished facilities and the use of highly advanced vehicle testing and inspection technology.

Reflecting on the news “Applus Ireland’s Managing Director Mr. Grant Henderson said “we are delighted to have secured the contract to operate the National Car Testing Service and we are looking forward to delivering many service improvements in the coming months”

To support the opening of new inspection facilities, Applus+ anticipate creating in excess of 80 new jobs over the coming years adding to their current workforce of 800+ employees making Applus+ the largest single employer in the automotive sector in Ireland.

This contract further strengthens Applus+ in Ireland, making them the largest single employer in the automotive sector within Ireland. Applus+ also operate inspection services on behalf of the Revenue Commissioner, National Transport Authority and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

In photo: Moyagh Murdock CEO RSA with Grant Henderson Managing Director Applus+

NCT certificates and discs containing the following serial numbers

• E2999571 to E2999750
• E3028501 to E3029250
• E3063251 to E3063750
• E1717001 to E1718000
• E1750263 to E1750360
• E1686703 to E1686708 

were stolen during a recent robbery at an NCT centre.

If you are purchasing a second hand vehicle we would urge that you please check the serial number on the NCT disc to ensure it is not stolen.

If you have any doubts regarding the validity of an NCT Certificate then please contact NCT on 014135994 and we will be quickly able to confirm the validity of the NCT certificate for you