Major changes announced at NCT centres with cash no longer to be accepted

Customers will no longer by able to pay for their car test by cash in the coming months, the NCT has announced.

"We're saying goodbye to cash!" it wrote on social media.

"NCTS are going cashless over the coming months for your safety and convenience, this means that payment must be made in advance of attending for your NCT. When introduced, payment can be made online or by postal order.”

The post prompted several responses on social media questioning how no longer being able to pay by cash will protect customers' safety and convenience.

We're saying goodbye to cash! NCTS are going cashless over the coming months for your safety and convenience, this means that payment must be made in advance of attending for your NCT. When introduced, payment can be made online or by postal order ️ #Cashless #NCTS

— NCTIreland (@NCTIreland) August 21, 2023

One person posted that the NCT needs to "sort out the backlogs and crazy waiting times first". 

The decision has been criticised by Independent TD Carol Nolan who said she is engaging with the Road Safety Authority following the decision of the National Car Testing Service (NCT) to adopt a ‘cashless’ payment policy. The RSA is the statutory body with responsibility for the operation of the NCT.

The Laois/Offaly TD said the move had caused "a significant backlash" online among consumers who objected to the proposal, with particular concern being expressed for the older population who may prefer to retain a cash payment option out of necessity and convenience.

“Both the Central Bank and indeed Government have repeatedly stated a willingness to maintain and protect the option of paying by cash for goods and services,” said Deputy Nolan.

“Well, it’s time for Government and the Minister for Transport to put their money where their mouth is and intervene with the RSA and the provider of the NCT service to show us how serious they are on this issue.”

“It just makes no sense for the NCT to adopt this approach when we spent almost the entirety of 2022 and well into 2023 trying to ensure that everything possible was done to reduce the backlog in and reinstate an average waiting period of 12 days. They should be making it easier on people to book their tests not harder,” she said.