Kildare TD Backs Calls For NCT Criteria Changes To Reduce Backlog

Customers applying for a test in Naas are being redirected to Northpoint 2 and Deansgrange

NCT criteria changes are required to reduce the backlog, according to Kildare South TD Patricia Ryan

Deputy Ryan has backed the calls of her colleague, wh has called on the Minister for Transport to review the criteria.

Sinn Féin’s communications and transport spokesperson Martin Kenny TD has suggested that the Minister should consider changing the testing time criteria from the same month every year, to a year from when the test is completed. 

Deputy Kenny also said consideration must be given to temporarily allowing an extra year before new cars would be required to have the first NCT.

The Deputy’s calls come as figures for Kildare show wait times of two months or more for those applying for their NCT in Kildare. 

On Monday there were no available test dates on the NCT website in Naas.

Customers applying for a test in Naas were being redirected to Northpoint 2 and Deansgrange, where the next available test date is 10th June 2023.

Kildare TD Patricia Ryan said: “The system is under real stress and consideration needs to be given to extending the time between tests by allowing the test time to run from when the car is tested rather than from when it falls due.

"At present many cars are only a few months in test when the next test becomes due because of the long delays.

 “The NCT system was introduced to conform with an EU directive that sought to set standards of road worthiness and control emissions right across all EU member states.

 “When a new car reaches four years old it has its first test and then every two years until its tenth birthday, after which it is an annual test. Pandemic restrictions meant that all these tests were postponed which caused a long backlog.  

 “We also have the additional issue where there has been a notable increase in the number of older cars being kept on the road as second-hand cars are scarce and more expensive.

“The additional staffing at NCT centres and longer operating hours are welcome and will help, but the backlog is being compounded by more older cars falling due faster.

 “An intervention in the system will be required to get it under control," she added.