NCT PAYMENT

IT Loser

Hello there, just booked the NCT, the earliest available date they had was August.

I went through the whole process, but I was never prompted for payment.

Does anyone know when and where payment is made??

Thanks.

anton

You pay for it at the NCT centre. I think they take cash and cards.

niceirishfella

Lazer, CC etc @ the centre.
However, if you miss your appt, are late etc, they charge you Extra.

IT Loser

Thanks for your help fellas!!:D:cool:

ShooterSF

You don't have to pay if they can't give you a date within 28 days. I have mine next month and I ain't paying. It's in their contract with the RSA.

Mitch Connor

ShooterSF wrote: »

You don't have to pay if they can't give you a date within 28 days. I have mine next month and I ain't paying. It's in their contract with the RSA.

I'm sure i read 35 days (5 weeks) last time I was in an NCT centre.

Darragh29

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I'm sure i read 35 days (5 weeks) last time I was in an NCT centre.

This rule works in a very funny way as I found out once! Basically when you read this rule, you think if I can't get my car NCT'd within 28 days, I get a free NCT...

Well here's how that actually works....

If they cannot give you a DATE for your NCT within 28 days, you'll get a free NCT. Now the date that they do give you can be months down the road, but if they can give you any appointment within 28 days, then they are off the hook! So if you ring them up today and they say today or within the nesxt 28 days that they can give you an appointment at an NCT centre in your county in 3 months time, then they have given you a date for your NCT within 28 days and you are not entitled to a freebie.

I had a customer who tried this and this was the outcome...

mcauley

Darragh29 wrote: »

Well here's how that actually works....

If they cannot give you a DATE for your NCT within 28 days, you'll get a free NCT. Now the date that they do give you can be months down the road, but if they can give you any appointment within 28 days, then they are off the hook! So if you ring them up today and they say today or within the nesxt 28 days that they can give you an appointment at an NCT centre in your county in 3 months time, then they have given you a date for your NCT within 28 days and you are not entitled to a freebie.

Give us that again Darragh. . .

ShooterSF

That's crazy. Time to email the rsa me thinks...

Darragh29

mcauley wrote: »

Give us that again Darragh. . .

You would think that the way the rule works is like this:

(1) You call the NCT for an appointment...

(2) Hot NCT burd on the phone says there are no available slots, they are booked up for 6 weeks...

(3) You tell hot NCT burd on the phone that that's great, you'll get a free NCT...

Now the way it really works as I understand it is like this...

(1) You call the NCT for an appointment...

(2) Hot NCT burd on the phone says there are no available slots, they are booked up for 6 weeks...

(3) You say, "Here HNCTB, if you can't give me a test within 28 days, I'm entitled to a free NCT!"... HNCTB says back to you: "No, I only have to be able to give you a DATE for your NCT within 28 days, so accordingly I can give you a date today for your NCT in 6 weeks time, so no freebie for you I'm afraid!"...

Darragh29

If it worked the other way, half the country would be getting free NCT's, most centres are booked up for at least a month...

ShooterSF

So was the Indo wrong?

NCTS is obliged under its contract with the Road Safety Authority, to waive the €49 fee if drivers have to wait longer than four weeks for a test.

Sources claimed that the wait has been between six and eight weeks all summer at most test centres throughout the country including Letterkenny due to inadequate staffing levels and a backlog of cars due for testing.

I emailed the RSA for clarification too.

Darragh29

ShooterSF wrote: »

So was the Indo wrong?



I emailed the RSA for clarification too.

Well I took this mission on once on behalf of an elderly customer of mine and this was the outcome...

ShooterSF

Well the RSA customer service team must be a bunch of monkeys.

I sent:

Hi,

My name is "ShooterSF" (Name replaced for boards) I am writing you in request of some clarification. I have read that the current NCTS contract requires them to waive the NCT fee if they can't give me a test date within 28 days from the request. However I have also been told that I can be given a date further away as long as the actual appointment (rather than the test) is given to me within 28 days.

Thanks for the help.
Yours,
Shootersf
Their expert reply was as follows:

I refer to your email query in relation to the NCT backlog.



Due to the recent announcement the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) are currently experiencing an unprecedented demand in the number of people requesting a booking. This has led to delays in arranging tests.


However, upon receipt of this email, please contact the Vehicle Standards Section of the Road Safety Authority on (096) 25014 or email: vehiclestandards@rsa.ie with details of your vehicle and we will be happy to approach the NCTS on your behalf in the event that an earlier booking can be secured.



These are not new road traffic offences. These offences already exist and are prosecuted through the Courts where fines are applicable.The conditions attached to the enforcement of the offences remain unchanged and it is a matter for the Gardaí to decide whether or not to initiate proceedings for an alleged offence in respect of any of the above offences. They are currently dealt with by summons to Court with fines applicable on conviction.

From 1 May 2009, these offences continue to be directly summonsed to Court (i.e. the Fixed Charge System does not apply to any of these offences) and penalty points will apply in addition to a fine upon conviction in Court.

The changes will not result in the immediate issuing of penalty points which is the case, for example, for speeding. Motorists will not be issued with penalty points on the spot or in the post because they do not have an NCT. This can only happen when a person is charged, taken to Court and successfully convicted. At the moment, a person can be fined up to €1,500. The only change is that, from 1 May, a person found guilty of these offences can also be given up to 5 penalty points on a Court conviction.



Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the Gardai and interpretation a matter for the Courts. The Gardai have advised motorises awaiting a NCT test to carry proof of their test appointment with them at all times in order to assist them in explaining the situation should they be stopped by the Gardai. However, this does not release motorists of the responsibility to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.



Please click on the following link which will direct you to the RSA webpage in relation to questions on the new penalty point system.



http://www.rsa.ie/Home/upload/File/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20FAQ%20on%20%20Penalty%20Points%20and%20the%20NCTrev.pdf



Kind regards

Vehicle Standards Section

---

Wow way to not answer a question. In this day and age with nearly half a million out of work can they not hire someone who can read a question and answer without going off on a huge tangent that I didn't ask about.
I wouldn't have much hope of them helping me get an earlier date they'd probably sent the NCTS a pizza order instead.

Seth Brundle

ShooterSF wrote: »

So was the Indo wrong?

It frequently is wrong!

x in the city

Alternatively, leave 50e on the dash for a guranteed pass


:rolleyes:


*might or might not be successful

ShooterSF

kbannon wrote: »

It frequently is wrong!

I know. I was actually asking, not going hey look it's printed by a paper :P

I sent back another message to the RSA. This should be fun.

---

"Thanks for your reply, that must have took ages to type and I feel obliged to read it but I can't seem to find the answer. Could you please highlight in bold where the answer to my question about the 28 days is.

Thanks again,
Sorry for my obvious incompetence here,
"Shootersf"

ShooterSF

Don't know if anyone is still interested but here is my (lack of) progress with the RSA.

Their Reply (edit to exclude my and their employee's name)

Dear "ShooterSF",



Thank you for your email.



In order for the NCTS to address your query, can you please supply the registration number of your vehicle together with your contact details including mobile phone number.



Kind regards

Mrs. X

Vehicle Standards Section

---

They really are struggling to answer a simple question. Time to be a bit more stubborn methinks.

---

My Reply:

Hi Mrs. X,

I'd like to include my original email in case there has been some confusion (please find it below),

As for contact details you have my email address xxxx@xxxx.xxx My phone number is private. I don't understand why you need my car reg details to process my question but if you give me a legit reason I will happily tell you. I prefer to keep my details private where possible.

Thanks Again,
"ShooterSF"

(Original email included)

---

To recap I haven't asked anything out of the ordinary but they are really resisting answering me. I plan to press until they gave me a straight answer.

Standard Toaster

Good man ShooterSF.

*Subs to thread*

ShooterSF

Some *small* progress.
I'll post up the correspondence in two colours to keep it easier to read.

---

"Shootersf",



Thank you for your mail. I understand your concern, the request for your contact details was merely to clarify your question and ensure a quick response.



In your email you mention that you have been told that “you can be given a date further away as long as the actual appointment (rather than the test) is given to me within 28 days” .



The “appointment” and “test” are one of the same so there may be some misunderstanding here. Can you clarify the position and who advised you on this scenario so that we can best respond.



Have you been provided with a confirmed or provisional appointment? Provided you are happy to supply your vehicle registration number, we can endeavor to facilitate a sooner appointment.”



Kind regards



Mrs X.

Vehicle Standards Section

Looks like I's got some esplainin' to do.

Mrs. X,

Thanks for working through this with me.

My Understanding was that if I rang on the 1st of May looking for an appointment and was given the appointment for the 30th of June I would be entitled to a free NCT test. However on bringing this up in discussion someone told me that by "giving me the appointment" (for the end of June) that day was all the NCTS needed to do. In other words they did not need to test the car in 28 days rather set a date, any date, within those 28 days.
I am simply looking for clarification on that issue. Also if I am right and they have to waive the fee it they cannot test the car within 28 days could one simply go for the test assuming the tester knows there is no fee?

At no point did I say I had or needed an appointment. I am simply seeking clarification for friends and family.

Thanks again,
ShooterSF.

I got the following *almost* answer to my question.

Dear ShooterSF,



In response to your email of 18th May, please note the situation is as follows.



If a customer is offered a test outside of 28 days and they are happy with the suggested date, then all is fine.

If a customer is not happy with this date, then NCTS must source a date within the 28 days.



Kind regards



Mrs X

So far I have sent 4 emails and nearly got an answer to my question. Someone must surely be under orders not to answer given the current situation.
On the plus side for those of you waiting on a date more than 28 days now you can demand they source one out for you.

Seth Brundle

ShooterSF wrote: »

On the plus side for those of you waiting on a date more than 28 days now you can demand they source one out for you.

I can imagine myself making demands over the phone just before they hang up!

ShooterSF

kbannon wrote: »

I can imagine myself making demands over the phone just before they hang up!

Damn right but I've eliminated a lot of wiggle room now and I think (I hope) I have the situation cornered with my next email. I'll post it up when I get a reply.
Wish me luck