Vehicle owners around Ireland are facing huge backlogs to get an NCT appointment, with waits of up to six months in some areas.
However, a major concern for motorists who have an expired NCT is being charged with a road traffic offence while they wait for the test.
The penalty for driving without an NCT certificate is a fine of up to €2,000, and/or up to 5 penalty points and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months.
READ MORE: There are two easy tricks to get a quicker NCT appointment and they actually work
But NCTS has confirmed how drivers can avoid road traffic offences while awaiting their appointment.
Drivers with an expired NCT certificate are now being advised to carry out certain actions to ensure this doesn't happen to them.
NCTS recommended that drivers print out their test confirmation email as they continue to use their vehicle.
They told RSVP Live : “Customers are advised to keep a copy of their confirmation letter/email with them in order to present it to a member of An Garda Síochána, if required.
“This letter/email will clearly show that the customer has a confirmed booking or is on the current Priority list waiting for an appointment.”
They added that Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance companies in Ireland, have spoken to their members.
A spokesperson for NCTS said: “Insurance Ireland are also aware of the issue and have stated that so long as people are making every effort to secure an NCT appointment and they maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition they have nothing to worry about.”
They continued: “Insurance Ireland has stated that its members will be pragmatic and understanding in their approach to the current delays at the National Car Testing Service(NCTS). Cover will continue to be provided where customers, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain an NCT appointment.”
Motor insurance and road traffic legislation require that all motorists maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition at all times, with NCTS stating that this “remains the case”.
They shared: “Under the current circumstances, provided motorists make every effort to book appointments in the normal way, insurance companies will recognise that the current issue is not the fault of the customer.”
Some motorists may be unaware that they are able to test their vehicles up to 90 days in advance.
NCTS said: “Vehicle owners are encouraged to allow plenty of time to book their test. Cars may be tested up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the certificate issued.
“This system is in place to ensure all owners have sufficient time to have their vehicles successfully tested before the current certificate expires. Car owners can check their NCT due date on the NCTS website.”
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