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NCT and other vehicle and licence services suspended until further notice

Shane Ross is looking at measures to extend the period of validity of licences and NCT certificates.

THE NCT, NDLS and the commercial vehicle testing system have all been suspended until further notice, the Minister for Transport Shane Ross has confirmed. 

The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the National Car Testing Service (NCT) and the Commercial Vehicle Testing System have all been suspended immediately until further notice.

A full list of essential and non-essential services and outlets was recently published by the government. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said last night only essential workers can leave their houses from now until 12 April to contain the spread of Covid-19.  

This suspension has been done to comply with new restrictive measures announced by Varadkar last night.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has asked his department’s officials and the RSA to introduce measures to address the effects of suspending these services. 

“It is critical that we give drivers as well as operators of commercial vehicles peace of mind in relation to the status of their licence, learner permit, NCT certificate or certificate of roadworthiness, especially if it has expired or is likely to expire during the period of the Covid19 health crisis,” Ross said.  

He is looking at introducing measures to extend the period of validity of these documents and hopes “to provide further detail for the public next week”.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that people should not and do not need to worry about these things,” he said.

“At the same time, we must also be conscious of the need to save lives on the roads and, indeed, avoid diverting medical staff to deal with the consequences of drivers not driving safely.

“Road Safety laws remain in force and will be enforced.  Drivers must not speed or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they must keep their vehicles roadworthy – for their own sakes and all our sakes. ”

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Applus, the company which currently operates the NCT test on behalf of the State, told TheJournal.ie that some customers weren’t showing up for appointments in recent days and weeks.

“The level of customers not showing up for appointments has marginally increased,” the spokesperson said. 

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:30 PM

    Right decision. No car stops working the day the test is due. Extend by 6 months to avoid huge backlogs.

    288
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:42 PM

    @Johnny B: I totally agree with you Johnny, but if you go over the 30 day limit for a re-test, you have to pay and have the full test repeated as the condition of the car may have deteriorated. Day 30 it’s grand, day 31 not so. I understand there has to be a cut off for the retest, but to ask for a full test so soon after doesn’t make sense.

    44
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    Mute pZTahAXy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:47 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: some of us are already on dispensation due to the lift issue. Hope thats factored in.

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    Mute Lyndsay Rehn
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    Mar 28th 2020, 9:06 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: I was told to mine passed but no lift inspection but to bring it back. My insurance is due on 4/04/20 so am I to drive without cover. Ross didn’t think of that affect and insurance companies are not on the list of essential workers.

    10
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    Mute Over the top
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    Mar 29th 2020, 10:48 AM

    @Lyndsay Rehn: I failed my test 28 Feb, couldn’t get a retest in Deansgrange before time was out so I rang the office and they rescheduled me for 10 April as a retest at €28 and not €55. They are very helpful on the phone. I’m sure my retest will be extended further now.

    1
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    Mute Dylan Moran
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:40 PM

    I did my NCT a week past. I need to do a retest. Honestly who cares. My car hasn’t moved since that day. I happen to be one of the lucky ones who can work from home. For all the others, well I lost my job in 2009, during the worst of it. So I know the hardship of losing your job. And today I know the tenuous hardship of grabbing onto a job. Neither is easy

    122
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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:35 PM

    @Dylan Moran: NCT should be from the date of issue of the cert, not the date of the due test.

    35
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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Mar 28th 2020, 11:13 PM

    @Dave Nomates: completely agree. Its just a rip off

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    Mute Muriel Ryan
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    Mar 29th 2020, 11:19 AM

    @Dylan Moran:

    1
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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:03 PM

    The NCT should have been closed when the revelations about the lift issue arose, This was done in the north with MOT certs extended.

    106
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    Mute Nakedcleanersireland.com
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:00 PM

    I think the last thing on peoples minds is their NCT

    86
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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:32 PM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: Tell that to the Judge.

    54
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    Mute Lochlainn Marcus
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:07 PM

    Close the NCT’s down it’s nothing but a money racket anyway

    63
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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:26 PM

    Well done S Ross we will miss you when your gone drive on

    59
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    Mute Mickomacko
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:36 PM

    @John O Donoghue: what has he actually done and achieved since in office.

    49
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    Mute JC
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:40 PM

    @Mickomacko: Got a smashing pic with Katie Taylor I’m fairness

    94
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    Mute JC
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:41 PM

    @JC: in fairness*

    11
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    Mute Gavin Conran
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:26 PM

    @Mickomacko: If he pulls this off properly, then, um……this

    7
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    Mute Mike McGann
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @Mickomacko: driven us all f0cking mad with law after law after law, all against regular folk in cars.

    23
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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:26 PM

    @Mike McGann: well said Mick I hope he keeps driving and never turn back he was only an animal he ruined rural Ireland as bad as it was

    12
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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:30 PM

    @Mickomacko: he absolutely destroyed rural Ireland as bad as it was where there’s no public transport for an old bachelor to go up to the bar four or five miles from his home play a game of cards have one or two pints and maybe a small one and drive up home that’s all gone and so has rural Ireland good riddance to bad S – - T

    15
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    Mute Mark Reville
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    Mar 28th 2020, 9:20 PM

    @Mickomacko: He reinstated Stepaside Garda Station. That’s about it really.

    3
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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 28th 2020, 10:16 PM

    @Mark Reville: you’re spot on Step A Side

    3
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    Mute Lukevic101
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:41 PM

    Now would actually be a great time to get some roads redone. Or potholes filled, or motorways expanded, etc.

    39
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    Mute Winston Smith
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:08 PM

    Maybe they could fix the ramps while they’re at it

    37
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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:37 PM

    Baldy tyres of this world rejoice!

    37
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    Mute Mindfully Comedic
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    Mar 29th 2020, 1:28 PM

    @Noel Doherty: you can’t get a certificate because the lifts are still out of service, it’s a joke at this stage, 2 months on.

    1
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    Mute John O Brien
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:10 PM

    Ah Christ I though we had seen the back of this fellow…

    36
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    Mute Adam Conroy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 9:02 PM

    @John O Brien: Ministers stay on til they’re replaced apparently.

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:55 PM

    Shower of clowns (not aimed at the staff) were still operating with lifts out of service. Glad to see now shut

    60
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    Mute Paul Garvey
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:41 PM

    I agree with the decision to defer test etc but it’s not right that someone rejected by the electorate is still making decisions. Much better if the Taoiseach appoints a sitting TD to replace a minister that’s lost their seat during a transitional period .

    31
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    Mute johnbrady
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:16 PM

    Still waiting on my centre to get a working lift so couldn’t care less

    25
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    Mute Ananya Sharma
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:30 PM

    Why are they only telling people now, they didn’t even open today but people were turning up for the test.

    24
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    Mute James Delaney
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:02 PM

    At last they called a holt to that scam ,,putting lives at risk

    30
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    Mute James Quinn
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:18 PM

    Am I still insured when nct expires ?

    23
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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:32 PM

    @James Quinn: NO.

    6
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    Mute Karl C
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:47 PM

    @James Quinn: your insurance company would have to tell you that answer. I would imagine you would be because the nct has been closed because of the coronavirus.

    21
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    Mute Willy Mc Entire
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    Mar 28th 2020, 6:48 PM

    Ah finally …

    21
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    Mute Lyndsay Rehn
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    Mar 28th 2020, 9:10 PM

    How can you renew your insurance without the NCT. Clarity needed and Insurance Companies need to tell us where we stand.

    17
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    Mute Mindfully Comedic
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    Mar 29th 2020, 1:26 PM

    @Lyndsay Rehn: right now you couldn’t even get a certificate because the lifts are not in use, it’s a half test basically.

    3
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    Mute paul mccoy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:15 PM

    What happens if someone is in a crash and kills someone and under investigation it turns out that the car was defective and shouldn’t been on the road but the person couldn’t get the car nct so he didn’t know about it.

    14
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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:37 PM

    @paul mccoy:

    Vehicle repair shops remain open for business.

    They’ll put you right on anything wrong with your vehicle during the annual service, and provide a quotation on costs for necessary works to make her fully roadworthy again.

    Don’t wait for an NCT test laundry list, now that they’re temporarily shut down.

    12
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    Mute paul mccoy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:55 PM

    @Rory J Leonard: yeah I know but what I’m saying is if the person didn’t know anything was wrong with the car but the nct would have picked it up . For example a cracked wheel rod or something.

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    Mute paul mccoy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:57 PM

    @Rory J Leonard: a lot of people right now can’t afford to service their car what with been out of work etc

    6
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    Mute Philip Howlin
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:16 PM

    @paul mccoy: what would happen if a car tester, showing no symptoms, yet may be incubating and transmitting virus tests and infects 20 cars and therefore 20 others.
    Remember they touch and breath upon almost every surface of car.
    Sanitising and disinfection almost impossible to endure car is ok to drive away.

    11
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    Mute Katie Wrest
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:24 PM

    Wonder will they extend the motor tax as well, end of the month will mean a lot of people trying to find the money to pay for that as well.

    12
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    Mute Gerard Heery
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:41 PM

    @Katie Wrest: no road tax pays for the water,everybody know that so pay for your road tax

    7
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    Mute Karl C
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    Mar 28th 2020, 7:44 PM

    My NCT is due in August/September so does that mean it will be pushed back to a later date until the backlog is dealt with? It is good that they are cancelling them now because people have other things to worry about.

    11
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    Mute Brian Murphy
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:07 PM

    He’s not even a TD……..

    11
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    Mute Joan Doyle
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    Mar 28th 2020, 11:04 PM

    Could we use the nct centres for covid testing drive through ?????

    8
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    Mute Tim Adams
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:45 PM

    Still waiting to get the last bit of my test finished because the lifts still aren’t safe in my area

    7
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    Mute Lyndsay Rehn
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    Mar 28th 2020, 11:13 PM

    @Tim Adams: same in Drogheda and I need it to renew my insurance. Ross didn’t think of that. Insurance Companies are not essential workers so if I drive my car I’m being forced to break the law as I have no option as I live in a rural area with no transportation

    6
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    Mute Pat Lonergan
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:12 PM

    Give them a chance to fix the lifts…

    6
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    Mute Pat Lonergan
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    Mar 28th 2020, 8:11 PM

    Give them to fix the lifts….

    4
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    Mute Mindfully Comedic
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    Mar 29th 2020, 1:24 PM

    Ideal time for them to fix their friggin lifts, I’m one of the many that have incomplete tests.

    1
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    Mute School4work
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    Mar 29th 2020, 11:17 AM

    Thankfully they are now shut:

    We can now shut this thread:

    Can we shunt Ross out of the Dail?

    1
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    Mute Sinead Morrisroe
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    Mar 29th 2020, 9:03 AM

    I got mine on Tuesday gone. Great

    1
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