Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions his Department is taking to reduce the backlogs in waiting lists for the national car test, NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15932/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will grant further extensions to motorists who have had their NCT date pass due to being unable to obtain a test within a four-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15933/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.

The operation of the National Car Test Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question regarding waiting list management to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

With reference to the Deputy’s question regarding an extension of the validity of test certificates, the frequency of testing is set out in the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017), as amended.

The Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided for a permanent four-month extension to test due dates for certain qualifying vehicles. This was in direct response to the suspension of the National Car Test service (NCT) on 28 March 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The extension was automatically applied to vehicles with an NCT certificate in force on 28 March 2020 and those with a first test due falling during the period between 28 March and 31 July 2020. Cars first registered on or after 1st August 2016 were not eligible for the extension.

All Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. The changes made to legislation in 2020 were permitted only by way of special derogation in the context of the exceptional circumstances facing Europe due to COVID-19.

There are currently no plans to further amend this legislation.