Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the National Car Test of vintage lorries; if vintage cars and tractors are subject to an NCT; the reasons these vehicles are subject to an NCT in view of the fact that they are generally used at charity events and for recreational use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA.

Vehicles registered prior to 1 January 1980 remain exempt from NCT testing. There are no plans at present to apply the NCT to vintage cars registered prior to 1980. Any changes would be the subject of a public consultation process conducted by the RSA and any recommendation would be submitted to me for approval.

In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004 (SI 771 of 2004), all commercial vehicles over one year old (including vintage lorries) must complete a roadworthiness test and have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. There is no exemption for older vehicles but these vehicles are tested to the standards that the vehicles concerned were originally designed to meet. This is to ensure that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age are maintained to a minimum standard of roadworthiness.

Currently there is no requirement for the roadworthiness testing of tractors used in a public place.