NCT due but appointment only available in 3 weeks

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ArthurMcB

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My NCT is due in two days but the earliest appoinment I could book is in 3 weeks.

Does this mean i cannot drive my car until after the appoinment or can I drive it on basis that appoinment is made and i have opted onto the "priority list"? I have an email re this.

Thanks.
 

Driving offences

An overview of the most common driving offences in Ireland, the penalties that are in place, and information on how to appeal.
www.citizensinformation.ie www.citizensinformation.ie
National Car Test (NCT)

It is an offence to drive a vehicle in a public place without a current NCT certificate. This applies to vehicles from the fourth anniversary of their first registration. The initial fixed charge amount is €60 (increasing to €90 if you do not pay within 28 days) and you will also get 3 penalty points. 5 penalty points and a more significant fine and/or imprisonment can be imposed if it goes to court because of non-payment.
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Key Post - How to get an NCT appointment in a hurry

If you log in just after 11pm every night that's when they update all the cancellations. You should get a slot handy enough doing this.
www.askaboutmoney.com
 
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I drive it once I have the booking email in the glovebox.
If you keep check on the website in the mornings about 9/10am and in the evening too.
I booked mine at the start of June and the earliest available was August but managed to get a cancellation for the same week.
 
My understand is the powers that be will turn a blind eye to it once you have an appointment booked once it's relatively close to the expiry of your cert
I've done it a couple of times myself but in recent times I make sure to book well in advance now just in case that understanding changes
 
Depends on the humour of the garda you meet on the day I'd say! If you are flexible it's pretty easy get a last minute appointment, I'm lucky as I live a stone's throw from the centre so always manage to get one quickly.
 
@ArthurMcB You wont have any problem if you can show you have an appointment or waiting for one.
Mine was in February and I could not go that day so they pushed it until June themselves! They never said to me I could not drive mean time.
There is no issue if you can show that your booking is in process coz they know of the delays themselves.
Don't worry. Not your fault if they do not have capacity for that particular centre.

If you cannot make your appointment or you think it is too late, you can add your booking in the priority list as you have done it. They are very fast in giving you a new one. They always keep spaces for those that need to redo the NCT as it needs to be done before a month expires.
Good Luck with it!
 
VInterested said:
They never said to me I could not drive mean time.
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It's not up to them to tell you that it's an offence to drive without an valid NCT.

NCT due but appointment only available in 3 weeks

My NCT is due in two days but the earliest appoinment I could book is in 3 weeks. Does this mean i cannot drive my car until after the appoinment or can I drive it on basis that appoinment is made and i have opted onto the "priority list"? I have an email re this. Thanks.
www.askaboutmoney.com
 
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@ClubMan Of course the NCT is not the police but they do advice on anything related to it.

If you check the information provided in their web page they say they allow you to do the NCT 90 days before the due date to allow flexibility but (cleverly in my opinion) they do not explicity say its ok to do it 90 days later coz they rather not however they also say (NCT has nothing to do with insurances but they do advice on it) that

Will not having a completed NCT impact on my car insurance?
Insurance Ireland has stated that its members will be pragmatic and understanding in their approach to the current delays at the National Car Testing Service(NCTS). Cover will continue to be provided where customers, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain an NCT appointment.

SO yes NCT, insrance providers and Garda knows there are delays and do not hassle drivers when its obviously not their fault.
 
ArthurMcB said:
My NCT is due in two days but the earliest appoinment I could book is in 3 weeks.
Click to expand...
Honest question, did you forget to book the NCT test?
ArthurMcB said:
Does this mean i cannot drive my car until after the appoinment or can I drive it on basis that appoinment is made and i have opted onto the "priority list"? I have an email re this.
Click to expand...
My personal experience over the years (which may be different now) is that once I had proof of a NCT appointment it was not an issue.

My beloved Alfa Romeo back in the day went without a NCT for 2 years because once I got it fixed something else failed, sigh!

My experience with the NCT Priority List is that they will contact you with cancellations in a couple of days.

I wouldn't fret about this personally as long as your vehicle is generally roadworthy with no obvious issues. (Such as bald tyres, obvious dangerous body work, lights all working)

If unsure what to check in advance perhaps get a pre NCT check?
 
This reminded me mine is up in August. No dates until October so I went on the priority and they said they would get back to me in two weeks.

Do I just wait or can I also book a date for October so at least I have something even if it is 6 weeks past.

Last year I did it at 1am. Not sure if they still run 24 hrs.
 
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