24-hour NCT testing urged as Galway backlog builds
A Galway TD has called for a 24-hour NCT service to be established in the county. Galway West Deputy, Noel Grealish, said that the earliest appointment time for Galway car owners trying to book a test now was well into June – more than two months away.
But recent changes to the law mean that anyone caught driving without a current NCT certificate will be fined and have three penalty points imposed on their licence.
“This is a real problem that could have serious insurance implications for someone who may already have a number of penalty points,” said Deputy Grealish.
“It used to be that drivers who could prove they had booked an appointment were given some leeway, but the Minister for Transport has made it clear that that is no longer the case.
“But if your NCT cert expires at the start of June and you try to apply now – most people would think that doing this two months in advance is giving them plenty of time – you won’t get an appointment in Galway or Clifden until the middle of June, and in Ballinasloe it will be the end of June.
“And even though you might have an appointment made, you’ll be hit with a fine and three penalty points that could result in your insurance premium going up if you’re stopped by the guards with an out of date NCT.”
The Independent TD called for the 24-hour testing recently introduced to two centres, in Dublin and Cork, to be extended to Galway.
“It’s only fair that people be given the same chance here as they are in Dublin and Cork to avail of round-the-clock testing if they need to get the NCT done urgently.
“As bad as the delay is now, it was much worse at the start of the year when the majority of cars are due for the NCT . . . at that time Galway people couldn’t get an appointment online for the greater part of three months.
“I know the NCT say they will try find a slot for people whose NCT is due to expire but not everyone is aware of that, and even I don’t think there are any guarantees,” Deputy Grealish added.