Laois councillors write to Minister over NCT delays and procedures

Laois County Council will send a letter to the Transport Minister over NCT delays and procedures. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran described the waiting time for the National Car Test(NCT) as ‘crazy’ and said people in some cases are waiting up to nine months for a test.

She pointed out that new cars have warranties of around five years. She also queried the practice of backdating test results meaning car owners who wait nine months only get a certificate for one year and three months, or if their car is over ten years old, three months on passing the test. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded a motion by Cllr Moran. She pointed out that people paying online had the money taken out straight away yet might have to wait seven or eight months for a test. 

Cllr Dwane Stanley revealed she had recently waited three months for a test. She said you can phone up and make a booking and pay in cash or card on the day. 

“There is a huge waiting list for some people,” said Cllr Dwane Stanley. 

“The morning I was down there the place was packed. They really are badly resourced,” she said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said Portlaoise was one of the busiest test centres in the country.  Her test was backdated and she said this was “very unfair” considering the delay was the fault of the NCT.

Cllr Moran said she would like to see newer cars getting more time before they are required to be tested. She also questioned whether the testing staff were qualified mechanics or whether they simply operate off a  checklist.  

Cllr Moran’s motion at the monthly meeting of Laois County Council.

She asked:  "That this Council call on the Minister for Transport, Mr. Eamon Ryan, T.D, and the Minister of State for Transport, Mr. Jack Chambers, T.D., to review the current procedure regarding NCT testing. The capacity for testing is not sufficient to meet the needs of road users. Can we look at extending the need for a cars first NCT test to be pushed out, so that the capacity is there to test the cars that really need it, also the NCT disc should be two years from the date of the test and not two years from the date the test should have been."

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The council agreed to send a letter to the Ministers in relation to the matter.