Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons who booked their national car test well in advance on its renewal date but were unable to secure an appointment until after this date; if such persons are entitled to continue using their vehicle while awaiting their NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5131/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, 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 (RSA) has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS).  

As the Deputy may be aware, the NCT can be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the new certificate. This system is to ensure that owners have ample time to have their vehicle tested before their current NCT certificate expires. I understand from the RSA that the majority of persons who fall into the category referred to by the Deputy, namely those who book a test well in advance of their test due date, will be offered a test date prior to the expiry of their current NCT certificate.  The RSA advise that any such customers who may find themselves with a test appointment beyond their test due date should contact the NCTS and request an earlier appointment and I am sure they will be accommodated.

I also understand from the RSA that customers who require an early test are likely to receive an NCT appointment within 28 days.  While it may be necessary to hold such a request on a waiting list until a suitable slot is found, in the majority of cases such customers are given a slot within the required timescale.

Enforcement of the relevant legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.  If a person’s NCT test date is imminent, it will be a matter for the Gardaí to use their discretion. However, responsibility rests with owners and users of vehicles to ensure their vehicles are in compliance with the law.