The Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport Shane Ross has confirmed this weekend that NCT testing has been suspended until further notice.
The NCT has been suspended in order to comply with new public restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic, along with the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) and the Commercial Vehicle Testing System.
Minister Ross has asked his officials together with the RSA to introduce measures to address the implications 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”.
He added that it is especially important to do so where that permit or certificate is expired or expires during the Covid-19 crisis.
To address this concern the Minister said that he is looking at measures that will extend the validity of such documents, and hopes to provide more specific details next week.
“In the meantime, I want to make it absolutely clear that people should not and do not need to worry about these things,” Shane Ross said.
People’s sole focus right now should be on abiding by the new measures introduced by the government on Friday to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a nationwide lockdown on Friday, with people supposed to remain in their homes until Easter Sunday, except for certain limited circumstances.
“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,” Minister Ross added.
“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. ”
