Irish drivers on alert with NCT centres around the country to close for NINE days

Motorists around Ireland have been informed that NCT centres around the country will close for NINE days over the festive and New Year period.

Drivers will not be able to book full tests or retests on the dates in questions. People with retests due should book in before the closure dates if their retest deadline falls over Christmas.

In an update on social media, the NCT service said: "Most centres will be closed over the Christmas period (closing on 23rd December 2025 and re-open 2nd January 2026).

"Some centres are open subject to local demand. Visit our website for further details.

"For anyone wishing to make an appointment, our contact centre (014135992) will be operational for NCT bookings on 29th, 30th and 31st December 2025 from 9am -5pm.

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"You can still arrange, cancel or rearrange NCT bookings at www.ncts.ie

"NCTS would like to wish all our customers a very happy and safe Christmas and a peaceful New Year."

Meanwhile, drivers are also being told of other little known visual reasons your car could fail the NCT.

The NCT says: "Taking a few minutes to check some of the visual items below and ensuring they are all working in advance of your NCT could potentially save you valuable time and money."

One of the more obscure items that you could easily forget to check is the little bulbs on your registration plates. It is a legal requirement that your registration is visible at all times and if these bulbs aren't working, it cannot be seen at night.

Your car could fail its NCT if its registration plate lamps are "not working, faulty or not fitted; not white in colour; or if the lens is missing or broken." You can check these bulbs by turning your car on and checking the bulbs are on front and rear before the test.

You can see the full NCT visual checklist below:

Windscreen Wipers and Washers

Reasons for failure:

Missing
Not cleaning windscreen effectively
Wiped areas less than sufficient to give the driver an adequate view
Washer, not working, no water or incorrectly aimed

Seat Belts

Reasons for failure:

Belts cut, badly frayed or repaired
Belts not operating properly

Tyre Condition

Reasons for failure:

tread worn, distorted or damaged
tread depth of less than 1.6mm
Incorrectly seated on wheel rim
Valve Damaged

Registration Plate Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Not working, faulty or not fitted
Not white in colour.
Lens missing or broken.

Stop Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Missing or not clearly visible.
Not working or faulty.
Not brighter than tail lights.
Not red in colour
Insecurely mounted
Contains water/moisture
Lens missing or broken
Switch does not operate correctly

Indicator/Tell Tales

Reasons for failure:

Missing, not working or faulty
Insecurely mounted
Lens broken or missing
Contains water/moisture
Not amber in colour

Horn

Reasons for failure:

Control insecure
Horn insecurely mounted
Not working correctly
Not working or not fitted

Registration Plates Front and Rear

Reasons for failure:

One or both plates missing, insecure or not clearly visible.
Numbers or letters missing or illegible or incorrect size
Numbers, letter or background of incorrect colour

Side Lamps

Reasons for failure:

Missing or not clearly visible.
Not working or faulty.
Not white in colour
Insecurely mounted
Contains water/moisture
Lens missing or broken