24-hour NCT tests to be rolled out in selected centres in Ireland

Looking for an NCT appointment? How does 3am sound?

Selected NCT centres in Ireland will open for 24 hours as one of a number of measures in an attempt to cope with the huge increase in demand for NCT tests since last year. Since December of last year, being caught without a valid NCT certificate is punishable with three penalty points and a fine and ever since the measure was brought in, motorists have been quick to try and get their affairs in order as soon as possible. In response to what was described as an “unprecedented demand” for tests since the turn of the year, Minister for Transport Pascal Donohue outlined a number of measures in the Seanad yesterday that will speed up to the process for motorists awaiting an NCT cert. According to the Irish Times, 24-hour testing was introduced in selected centres in Dublin (North Point and Deansgrange) and Cork (Little Island) this week. Opening hours in centres in Galway, Ballina, Enniscorthy and Killarney will extend to 7am to 11.30pm four days a week, while additional inspectional lanes will be provided in Blarney, Naas, Mullingar and Portlaoise. There are also plans to increase extra inspectors and there was an acknowledgement of difficulties with the online booking system, which led to incorrect assumptions about waiting lists. Not many excuses for not having a valid NCT cert now lads.