Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 555 of 16 May 2017, the reason an NCT certificate covers a vehicle for 12 months on the road when in his reply to the question he stated that a valid NCT certificate only confirms that a vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at the time of the test. [26304/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the NCT.

I understand that Directive 2009/40/EC sets the minimum requirements in regard to the frequency of the roadworthiness testing of cars, with the first test required at four years, and a test every two years thereafter. The Directive however permits Member States to test cars more frequently, and so with effect from 1 June 2011, Ireland introduced annual testing for cars ten years old and above.

The NCT is a periodic test which checks, at a point in time, whether or not the components which are required to be tested meet a basic standard. I am advised that the NCT certificate issued at the time of the test does not confirm the condition of the vehicle for the duration of the certificate. It merely states that a NCT was passed on that date and when the next test is due.

Road Traffic law places the onus on users of vehicles on public roads to ensure that their vehicles comply with the law, and are maintained in a roadworthy condition at all times.  It also requires motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in compliance with Construction, Equipment and Use Regulations in respect of their lights, tyres, brakes, windscreens etc.