Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that the national car test takes due regard of medical adaptations to vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46020/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has overall responsibility for the delivery and oversight of the National Car Test (NCT).   

The RSA informs me that the service aims to be as flexible as possible in its approach to assessing the roadworthiness of vehicles that have been subject to medical adaptations and procedures are in place to allow such vehicles to be tested at NCT centres.

However, if the vehicle inspector notices a repair or modification which may adversely affect the roadworthiness of any of the test items, including where unsafe “repairs or modifications” are specified in the NCT Manual as a reason for failure, the tester shall seek a Modifications Report in writing, completed by the Vehicle Manufacturer or a suitably qualified individual.

From July 2014 the ‘Reasons for Failure’ under several test items in the National Car Testing Manual were amended to allow for refusal where there is an obviously unsafe repair or modification. Where a safety critical modification (for example, chassis lengthened or shortened, a goods vehicle converted to a passenger car, modifications to braking etc) has been carried out since the last test, the owner will be required to present a Modifications Report.  Subject to this, a vehicle with a medical adaptation that does not affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle is able to pass the NCT.