Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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848. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal standing on persons who are now driving with an expired national car test certificate due to the current back-log of accessing timely tests; if persons are legally covered by having evidence to show that they are attempting to book their test, but are driving with an expired certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/15]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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885. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action being taken to address the substantial waiting list for National Car Tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 885 together.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has overall responsibility for the operation of the National Car Test. I am informed by the RSA that the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is in a good position to deal with current demand.  Vehicle Inspectors now number 580, the highest ever in the history of the NCT.  Testing facilities have been extended at Mullingar, Blarney, Portlaoise and Naas.  In addition, longer opening hours, in the form of a third shift, are in place at Galway, Killarney, Enniscorthy and Ballina, providing testing from 7 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.  The majority of test centres have late openings on three days per week until 10 p.m. and 12 centres have extended opening on four days per week.  Since last month, 24-hour testing is available at one test centre in Dublin and Cork.

I understand from the RSA that any car owner should receive an NCT appointment within 28 days and that in order to meet this standard, in some cases, the NCTS holds requests on a waiting list until a suitable slot is found. In the majority of cases, customers are given a slot within the required timescale. 

Furthermore, to ensure owners have ample time to have their vehicle tested before their certificate expires, an NCT may be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of test due date without affecting the expiry date.

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