No NCT....Thats 5 penalty points!!

Traumadoc

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/motorists-face-fresh-penalty-point-blitz-on-car-test-1706940.html

Very little to do with road safety, IMO, more to force older cars off the road- look for yearly, more expensive tests, to be introduced for older cars to encourage people to scrap their cars.

Henry Ford III

If it forces people to get their cars tested on time, then it'll be a good move.

thealltimelow

about time

mumblin deaf ro

Penalty points for hitting bridges is a good idea. So many DART delays are caused by that. I was starting to wonder whether vodaphone were driving into bridges deliberately just so 1m people would ring/text home to say they would be late for dinner.

Seweryn

Henry Ford III wrote: »

If it forces people to get their cars tested on time, then it'll be a good move.

That's right, but you will have to remember to book your NCT 1-2 months in advance, as the queue is crazy (about 6 weeks in my area).

Run_to_da_hills

For once I agree with this one, it stops people driving unworthy cars on public roads

The method of enforcement I would object to. IE the Westlink toll toll plaza

Mena

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

For once I agree with this one, it stops people driving unworthy cars on public roads

I'm not so sure about this. I took a car through the NCT a few weeks back. All four tyres were at end of life, to say the least, the wiper blades did not work, the windscreen sprayer thingy mabob did not work, the ABS/Traction control system had malfunctioned and was displaying two warning lights on the dash.

It passed with no hassles. I wanted them to list all the faults so that I could go have them fixed, instead they essentially told me that two more years on this vehicle was fine.

Run_to_da_hills

Mena wrote: »

I'm not so sure about this. I took a car through the NCT a few weeks back. All four tyres were at end of life, to say the least, the wiper blades did not work, the windscreen sprayer thing mabob did not work, the ABS/Traction control system had malfunctioned and was displaying two warning lights on the dash.

It passed with no hassles. I wanted them to list all the faults so that I could go have them fixed, instead they essentially told me that two more years on this vehicle was fine.

I know someone whose Jack Russel chewed the safety belts to shreds in the rear seats of his car, he is six months without NCT, he also carry's kids, this is totally irresponsible. NCT would spot this immediately.

I agree with what you say, Garda check points are also there to check ongoing defects such as bald tyres etc.

Sofiztikated

Last night, he told the Irish Independent: "We are going to introduce these five new penalty point offences because it makes good road safety sense to do so. Driver behaviour is improving all the time and with that we are seeing fewer people dying our roads in recent times."

When in the hell did driver behaviour improve? From what I can see, its getting worse all the time.

All cars of four years and older must undergo an NCT test every two years.
Drivers are no longer automatically notified that their car is due for an NCT. The car owner is legally obliged to ensure the vehicle is tested on time and meets NCT standards.

Can't believe they still haven't changed this.

Fully licensed drivers accounted for some 396,264 of the penalty point notices, with 192,686 drivers with no licence taking the second largest bulk.

So they are putting points onto the licence that they don't have? Isn't that like decorating a wall that hasn't been built yet?

Don't get me wrong, I welcome our new penalty points overlords, and bow to their demands, but they're still farting around in the wrong areas.

How about an improvement in road standards, cats eyes, properly tarred roads, ensuring that the ESB etc have to do work, it is done BEFORE the new road is laid, not a couple of weeks after fresh tar has gone down, then patched up badly, a proper driving instruction system that teaches people how to DRIVE, now how to PASS A TEST.

DIFFERENT ARTICLE.
They face exceptional difficulties in respect of foreign-registered cars. The figures, surprisingly, show that 192,686 drivers without Irish licences, a huge proportion of the total, incurred penalty points.
In the past, the phenomenon has often been blamed on motorists from Northern Ireland. But it now appears that a major and more troublesome part of the problem relates to defective cars whose owners may have imported them temporarily from continental countries. There is no easy solution.

I think they'll find there is a difference is those without Irish Licences are different to those without licences full stop. Which is it that incurred the points?

Methinks that this could be linked with taking older cars off the road, so that newer cars have to be bought, increasing the VAT and VRT paid to the coffers?

Run_to_da_hills

Sofiztikated wrote: »

So they are putting points onto the license that they don't have? Isn't that like decorating a wall that hasn't been built yet?

No, its on record and will carry when the culprit takes out his first license. Same applies if you don't renew your license, the points will stay dormant.

ciarsd

Seweryn wrote: »

That's right, but you will have to remember to book your NCT 1-2 months in advance, as the queue is crazy (about 6 weeks in my area).

Go to another test centre local to you, or your job.

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I know someone whose Jack Russel chewed the safety belts to shreds in the rear seats of his car, he is six months without NCT, he also carry's kids, this is totally irresponsible. NCT would spot this immediately.

Please please please do us all a favour and either get him to sort it or report it. I really don't want to read about a couple of innocent kids becoming projectiles through the front windscreen

BrianD3

Traumadoc wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/motorists-face-fresh-penalty-point-blitz-on-car-test-1706940.html

Very little to do with road safety, IMO, more to force older cars off the road- look for yearly, more expensive tests, to be introduced for older cars to encourage people to scrap their cars.

Proper enforcement and yearly NCTs might actually save people money and allow them to get more value out of their cars. Because it'll force them to look after and maintain their cars better. This is a lot cheaper than the usual Irish solution to car maintenance - drive the sh1t out of the car, skimp on maintenance, then trade it in before it needs an NCT or before anything major goes wrong with it.

It is nearly 10 years since the NCT was introduced. It's about time people got over their paranoia about the test and stopped making excuses eg moaning about how the NCT never wrote to them to tell them their test was due.

Tipsy Mac

Five points for driving without a certificate of road worthiness.

It actually says on the NCT Cert that the test does not guarantee the road worthiness of the car, where would someone obtain a certificate of road worthiness?

I think it's a good idea to bring in 5 points for it at the moment it's a joke, someone can even borrow a mates tyres for the test and then drive around on their own bald set afterwards with no risk of points. The Gardai should inspect tyres at checkpoints and have it as an automatic €500 fine with 2 pints if anyone is found with defective tyres, the amount of cars you see with dangerously low thread depth is frightening.

Halfrauds

BrianD3 wrote: »

Proper enforcement and yearly NCTs might actually save people money and allow them to get more value out of their cars. Because it'll force them to look after and maintain their cars better. This is a lot cheaper than the usual Irish solution to car maintenance - drive the sh1t out of the car, skimp on maintenance, then trade it in before it needs an NCT or before anything major goes wrong with it.

It is nearly 10 years since the NCT was introduced. It's about time people got over their paranoia about the test and stopped making excuses eg moaning about how the NCT never wrote to them to tell them their test was due.

whats about a car that is safe, just for failing on HC, or co, yes it does point to a possible fault in the engine but its still as safe as a car which may have lower emissions.

Run_to_da_hills

ciarsd wrote: »

Go to another test centre local to you, or your job.



Please please please do us all a favour and either get him to sort it or report it. I really don't want to read about a couple of innocent kids becoming projectiles through the front windscreen

I have already mentioned it to him. Haven't seen him for a while so he may have rectified it already.

oleras

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Methinks that this could be linked with taking older cars off the road, so that newer cars have to be bought, increasing the VAT and VRT paid to the coffers?

Give that man a prize !! I agree 100%, there has always been a 1,500 euro fine linked to no NCT but was never enforced. Why the need for 5 points now ?

Really is amazing the influence SIMI have on our elected officials.

Then again i am a cynical fart.

furtzy

Delighted to hear this. About time the Irish a la carte attitude to road safety laws was clamped down on. Guess the NCT centres are going to be very busy

brian ireland

http://iowahwypix.tripod.com/ic/rrbridg2.jpg


Seen these in Europe around the place, some not as elaborate as this. Surely they could install these to stop trucks hitting bridges.

• Three

penalty points for drivers of trucks that strike an overhead bridge. Between 2001 and 2006, over 720 bridges were hit, with repairs costing €25.5m

Sorry link to pic wont work

Carlow52

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

For once I agree with this one, it stops people driving unworthy cars on public roads

The method of enforcement I would object to. IE the Westlink toll toll plaza

Are u saying that since the intro of toll free on westlink that the cameras are picking up the details or are there checkpoints on the bridge?.

The easy solution here has been around for years:

Link the car tax, insurance and NCT data bases together.....

Issue a warning letter with a 3 month window: then issue the 1500 euro fine, and now with the 5 peno points: no joy after 3 months, more fines, more points etc etc.

However as this would be cost effective and release the gardai from mundane road duties it would never work

ART6

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

It actually says on the NCT Cert that the test does not guarantee the road worthiness of the car, where would someone obtain a certificate of road worthiness?

I think it's a good idea to bring in 5 points for it at the moment it's a joke, someone can even borrow a mates tyres for the test and then drive around on their own bald set afterwards with no risk of points. The Gardai should inspect tyres at checkpoints and have it as an automatic €500 fine with 2 pints if anyone is found with defective tyres, the amount of cars you see with dangerously low thread depth is frightening.

I second that!:D

Tipsy Mac

ART6 wrote: »

I second that!:D

They would ease the blow of the €500 fine

Run_to_da_hills

Carlow52 wrote: »

Are u saying that since the intro of toll free on westlink that the cameras are picking up the details or are there checkpoints on the bridge?.

I am saying that once a car passes through the CCTV on the Westlink all details are recorded on a database. If that person tries to declare that their vehicle has been off the road the Gardai can check it up. Currently I doubt if the Westlink is linked up to the pulse system but if there was a serious accident and records were required Gardai would get them.

joey54

This is the governments way of bringing out a scrappage scheme, instead of costing the government money it will cost everyone else!

While agree it's about time that stricter penalties were brought in for NCT "defaulters" it annoys the way they are doing it. In my eyes the motive isn't for safer roads, it's to create revenue!!

Run_to_da_hills

joey54 wrote: »

In my eyes the motive isn't for safer roads, it's to create revenue!!

They badly need it. :P

okidoki987

5 points is way too high for no NCT.
80 in a 40 zone is a 2 point penalty, tell me which is more dangerous?

oleras

okidoki987 wrote: »

5 points is way too high for no NCT.
80 in a 40 zone is a 2 point penalty, tell me which is more dangerous?

Tell me which one will sell more new cars ?

Traumadoc

I asked the NRA for statistics with regard to older cars/ no NCT and RTAs and they could not produce them.

There should be 5 points for speeding and 2 points for no NCT, this has very little to do with road safety and lots to do with SIMI

peasant

Driving a dangerously defective vehicle or driving without a certificate of road worthiness will also incur five penalty points.

While the first one will (hopefully) take care of vehicles with broken lights etc, I fear that there is a devil in the detail on the second one.

What is a "certificate of roadworthiness?" Is it a NCT/DOE certificate or something else?
What about all the vehicles that currently don't get tested (neither DOE or NCT) like classics, campers, trailers, etc? Will they have to carry some other form of certificate?

Beta Ray Bill

I think 5 points for no NCT is Stupid

I want to make this very clear:

The NCT system is CRAP!!!

I completely agree that we should have a system in place to check cars are road worthy. the NCT does not do this.

An old Clio of mine passed the NCT even after a loud noise was coming for the front left wheel. (turned out the bearing had gone and was now chewing into the axle. another 3 months driving in that car would have seen the wheel fall off) That car failed the NCT though beausemy windscreen washer fluid was not full.

It is the most ridiculous test you can put your car through.

And we have to have our cars NCT'd (which I already do btw) other wise we are going to get 5 pen points?

think its a total cash grab... government is in serious trouble and they need a hell of a a lot of money.

forcing people to get their cars NCT'd is a god idea if the coffer is empty.

Also:

How the Hell is a Garda supposed to know if the car is road worthy? Can you actually imagine a Garda getting down on his hands and knees to check the underbody on a car? its laughable!

No Chance!

vectra

About bloody time..
Take some of the wrecks off the road.

Run_to_da_hills

grahambo wrote: »

IHow the Hell is a Garda supposed to know if the car is road worthy? No cance!

Easily, insist on a roadworthy check after any RTA that draws their attention, something that I can see coming.

jhegarty

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Easily, insist on a roadworthy check after any RTA that draws their attention, something that I can see coming and no harm.

I think most cars would fail after a crash

seclachi

Carlow52 wrote: »

Are u saying that since the intro of toll free on westlink that the cameras are picking up the details or are there checkpoints on the bridge?.

The easy solution here has been around for years:

Link the car tax, insurance and NCT data bases together.....

Issue a warning letter with a 3 month window: then issue the 1500 euro fine, and now with the 5 peno points: no joy after 3 months, more fines, more points etc etc.

However as this would be cost effective and release the gardai from mundane road duties it would never work

Your forgetting something important, not having insurance isnt a crime, not having tax isnt a crime, not having a nct isnt a crime. Driving on the roads without any of these 3 is however.

If what you listed was the case my father would be fined and pointed to hell and back simply because he has a few old scrap cars and a runabout for a private farm. You have to prove somebody is driving on the roads to proscute them.

As for the points they should be fine as long as the gardai are decent about them, 5 points if your nct expired last week is retardly harsh, but if its somebody driving around in a heap without bothering with a nct its deserved.

vectra

grahambo wrote: »

How the Hell is a Garda supposed to know if the car is road worthy? !

Would the lack of NCT cert on the windscreen not give it away?

Rod & Reel

i think this is seriously funny joke at our expence.

we have 14% unemployment and rising ok.
before the crash mothers, fathers took there kids to school in cars that had nct certs.
Now hubby lost his job so they had to down grade there car to smaller cheaper model within there budget.
Is the goverment now telling us we cant bring our children to school because there is no nct cert on the car.
there will be a rise in older cars on the road soon as people can no longer afford to buy the new 08/09 car.

And then they want to fine them 1500 lmao. there part blame as to why the couple had down grade and now they want to break them even more.

worrying people more now as if they hadnt enough to worry about.

great joke minister dempsey think ill use this gag in my next stand up show, Oh ur already using this one in ur stand up show, THE DIAL

A little off trail but relevent i think.

SV

vectra wrote: »

Would the lack of NCT cert on the windscreen not give it away?

A car could pass the NCT and be crashed the next day and repaired, tracking messed up, shoddy work done, tires damaged.

Still roadworthy is it?

Ciaran500

seclachi wrote: »

If what you listed was the case my father would be fined and pointed to hell and back simply because he has a few old scrap cars and a runabout for a private farm. You have to prove somebody is driving on the roads to proscute them.

Simple way around that would be to just declare the car off the road. Isn't that how the UK system works?

Run_to_da_hills

jhegarty wrote: »

I think most cars would fail after a crash

Obviously, but post accident checks may expose the cause of the crash, ie balled tyres, worn pads, etc.

Carlow52

Traumadoc wrote: »

I asked the NRA for statistics with regard to older cars/ no NCT and RTAs and they could not produce them.

There should be 5 points for speeding and 2 points for no NCT, this has very little to do with road safety and lots to do with SIMI

which is why I get my car serviced in Newry for 1/3 of the cost here


My next car will be bought there also: 9000 saving AFTER paying VRT here

joey54

Is there any grace period when your NCT expires? Like say you were pulled over and it was a couple of weeks would they fine you?

Damien360

Rod & Reel wrote: »

i think this is seriously funny joke at our expence.

we have 14% unemployment and rising ok.
before the crash mothers, fathers took there kids to school in cars that had nct certs.
Now hubby lost his job so they had to down grade there car to smaller cheaper model within there budget.
Is the goverment now telling us we cant bring our children to school because there is no nct cert on the car.
there will be a rise in older cars on the road soon as people can no longer afford to buy the new 08/09 car.

And then they want to fine them 1500 lmao. there part blame as to why the couple had down grade and now they want to break them even more.

worrying people more now as if they hadnt enough to worry about.

great joke minister dempsey think ill use this gag in my next stand up show, Oh ur already using this one in ur stand up show, THE DIAL

A little off trail but relevent i think.

This is silly scaremongering on your part. The vast majority of cars pass the test first time. If they fail it is on small things, easily fixed within the day and then passed. You do not need a 08/09 car to pass the NCT test.

The new measures might keep the real junk off the roads. The cars with faulty tyres and brakes, faulty brakelights (a bug bear of mine), the ones with one headlight on full blinding you. It may actually save your kids whether it is your car that needs fixing or someone elses.

About bloody time they enforced this.

vectra

Rod & Reel wrote: »

Now hubby lost his job so they had to down grade there car to smaller cheaper model within there budget.

That is not owning a more expensive car.. that is called living beyind your means.
I see loads of going on at the moment
all the Jumped up Jacks and their Wags driving around in small older cars now and actually TRYING to salute those they ignored all along.

Sometimes I feel this recession will bring manners back to some people. :rolleyes:

SV wrote: »

A car could pass the NCT and be crashed the next day and repaired, tracking messed up, shoddy work done, tires damaged.

Still roadworthy is it?

Do the Garda not get the cars impounded and tested by an engineer or someone qualified in this area to test them ?

Our man in Havana

This is nothing but a cynical method at raising revenue for the governement.

nogoodnamesleft

I wouldnt necessarialy say thats it targeting older cars. In the past month or so I have seen two cars: the 1st a 07 lexus is220 d with bald front tyres and the second was a 02 toyota corolla again with bald tyres both were parked next to me in car parks. How people can drive their families around in unroadworthy cars is beyond me igronance is no excuse.

badlyparkedmerc

We need to know what leeway they can give, it's all very well saying it'll get the crocks off the road. But what about someone applying for an NCT who'll only get an appointment a couple days after his NCT expires. What about someone with a minor NCT fail (license plate light for instance) and is stopped a day or two later before taking the car back.

What happens if Gardai start setting up checkpoints at the entrances to test centers to catch people who're on their way to get an NCT but are out of date.

Remember too that with 5 points if you challenge it if you think is unreasonable may be 10 points in court. If so effectively it's unchallengeable, and Gardai would get a complete free hand in how to apply the law since they'd expect not to end up in court.

cabrwab

Im sorry but 5points is harsh for not having an NCT, if they want to enforce that they should sent out a letter to tell you that the car is due an NCT.

I do agree with giving somebody points for failing to NCT a car but 5 is too high, it is a shambles. I like the way this is announced on a bank holiday weekend, were people won't be listening to the news.

Typical of the government scared to announce this at a proper time so no abuse can be given.

Cabaal

About bloody time, good move by the government, I fully support it

Cabaal

cabrwab wrote: »

Im sorry but 5points is harsh for not having an NCT, if they want to enforce that they should sent out a letter to tell you that the car is due an NCT.
.

So they should send people out letters to tell them they need to get a NCT done?

Your kidding me right....are people so blind they can't tell from the NCT disc in their windscreen...if they can't they shoudn't be driving because they are obviously thick

pipsqueak

does this apply to doe tests for vans as well? (5 points)

Our man in Havana

Also is this a catch all get the owner and driver if the 2 are not the same person?

cabrwab

Cabaal wrote: »

So they should send people out letters to tell them they need to get a NCT done?

Your kidding me right....are people so blind they can't tell from the NCT disc in their windscreen...if they can't they shoudn't be driving because they are obviously thick

No what about the first NCT? You don't get a letter informing you when its due. I support the move of points but i think not informing people there car is due is a bit silly. Not everyone has a yellow disc on there window YET!
Then there can be ZERO complaints you've gotten all the info and warning you need.