Driving with out of date NCT

Whiplashy

Can you get penalty points for driving with an out of date NCT? Mine is up in 6 weeks. I went to book an appointment online thinking I was being well organised for once, but the first available appointment was for 8 weeks time. I've booked it but I'm really not impressed that it's going to be out of date before my appointment.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

CiniO

Whiplashy wrote: »

Can you get penalty points for driving with an out of date NCT? Mine is up in 6 weeks. I went to book an appointment online thinking I was being well organised for once, but the first available appointment was for 8 weeks time. I've booked it but I'm really not impressed that it's going to be out of date before my appointment.

What you should have done was to refuse this appointment in 8 weeks, and request and appointment within 4 weeks.
They would give you one, as otherwise (in case when they can't provide appointment within 4 weeks) they must test your car for free. And because they don't want to test anyone's car for free, they would give you appointment within 4 weeks.

But unfortunately it's too late now, as you've already accepted the appointment in 8 weeks.

zenno

CiniO wrote: »

What you should have done was to refuse this appointment in 8 weeks, and request and appointment within 4 weeks.
They would give you one, as otherwise (in case when they can't provide appointment within 4 weeks) they must test your car for free. And because they don't want to test anyone's car for free, they would give you appointment within 4 weeks.

But unfortunately it's too late now, as you've already accepted the appointment in 8 weeks.

Interesting. My NCT was due on the 4th feb so i have to book it monday. Cheers for that information.

Esel

Carry proof of the booked test with you so you can show it to the Garda if you are asked. I would say you have nothing to worry about given the time frames you mention.

You could always follow Cinio's advice by (i) cancelling your current booking (ii) in a later call (obviously) request an appointment and if it is outside 4 weeks, do as Cinio said.

Btw, you have to be prosecuted (i.e. taken to court) and convicted before you get the penalty points (and at present it is 5 points :eek: ). You can also be fined up to €1500 on conviction (i.e as well as the penalty points).

Also, your car can be seized if it does not display a current NCT disc.

Whiplashy

Thanks for all the information. Rang them up today and I'm booked in for tomorrow morning. That is one seriously flawed booking system! At least I have plenty of time to get the retest done before the cert is up now

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Whiplashy wrote: »

Thanks for all the information. Rang them up today and I'm booked in for tomorrow morning. That is one seriously flawed booking system! At least I have plenty of time to get the retest done before the cert is up now

must've being a cancellation that was there ... fyi they show up on the website too. I.e one live system for all in nct office and online

Esel

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

must've being a cancellation that was there ... fyi they show up on the website too. I.e one live system for all in nct office and online

Whiplashy wrote: »

Rang them up today and I'm booked in for tomorrow morning. That is one seriously flawed booking system!

Maybe Whiplashy, while on the phone, pulled the "inside 4 weeks or it's free" card?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Esel wrote: »

Maybe Whiplashy, while on the phone, pulled the "inside 4 weeks or it's free" card?

if that was the case then why isint everyone getting free tests since their mainly booked out for another month and a half ?


he most likely picked up a cancellation. I did it today myself where I got people in this week on very short notice. I got someone in today with just one hour notice. no one has pulled the '4 weeks or free' card on me and I have not seen this done.

Esel

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

If that was the case then why isn't everyone getting free tests since they're mainly booked out for another month and a half?

Maybe because they don't know about that 'rule'? Everyone (or anyone) isn't getting a free test because if they know about it and mention it (on the phone presumably, because there is no way to do this online) then they are given a date inside the 4 week limit. So, the only way they would get a free test would be if, after they mention it, they are still given a date more than 4 weeks ahead - ergo, free test...

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

He most likely picked up a cancellation. I did it today myself where I got people in this week on very short notice. I got someone in today with just one hour notice. No one has pulled the '4 weeks or free' card on me and I have not seen this done.

I'm a bit confused. Do you work for NCTS? Or are you a mechanic who sometimes books a test for your customers?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Esel wrote: »

Maybe because they don't know about that 'rule'? Everyone (or anyone) isn't getting a free test because if they know about it and mention it (on the phone presumably, because there is no way to do this online) then they are given a date inside the 4 week limit. So, the only way they would get a free test would be if, after they mention it, they are still given a date more than 4 weeks ahead - ergo, free test...

I'm a bit confused. Do you work for NCTS? Or are you a mechanic who sometimes books a test for your customers?

I work for them in the booking and customer service office, so i've being trained in this and kinda know what im talking about thanks.

Esel

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I work for them in the booking and customer service office, so i've being trained in this and kinda know what i'm talking about thanks.

Great.

So, can you tell us if the 'within 4 weeks or free' rule actually exists, and if it does what are the limitations (e.g. does the customer have to insist on it before you comply)?

Does your system show all available slots (including recently cancelled ones) in the test centre the customer states, and do you automatically offer the earliest available slot to that customer?

Or does the customer have to give you a sob story before you, as you said 'got people in this week on very short notice... got someone in today with just one hour notice.' How does that work exactly?

Thanks.

CR 7

This page confirms that it does exist. NCT Customer Charter

4. Ensure that the average lead time for an appointment at an individual test centre is less than three weeks and no greater than four weeks. The customer will be provided with a test free of charge where an appointment cannot be offered within a four week period provided that:
• The Customer has not declined a test appointment (either confirmed or provisional) more than twice, at a centre of their choosing, for the test due at this time
• The Customer has not previously accepted a booking outside of the 4 week period.

Gonna possibly get a chance to test this out later. The next date showing up for any Cork centre online is 9 weeks away.:eek:

hi5

I have recieved a free test in the past and so have many others. I didn't even have to ask for it, it was given at the NCT centre.
There are threads confirming it here on boards, its no secret.

http://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?subforums=1&forum=47&query=free+nct

Whiplashy

I didn't pull the free test card as I had already booked an appointment but I wasn't overly friendly with them. Strange how I could get booked in so quick when I know people who are on the cancelation list and haven't been offered one yet. It doesn't pay to be nice sometimes.

My poor car failed the test. Hardly surprising since all I did was wash her. She failed on headlamp bulb but I also got a pass advisory on one of my tyres for being over 6 years old. The tester said they'd be checking the light and tyre when I go back. Do I have to change the tyre? It's only been on the car a few months and is still in good condition. If I'd checked my bulb beforehand I wouldn't be going back so they'd never know I ignored the advisory!

And yes I know it was stupid not to check my lights, especially since I failed on a reverse bulb last year!

Fred Swanson

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slimjimmc

Whiplashy wrote: »

I didn't pull the free test card as I had already booked an appointment but I wasn't overly friendly with them. Strange how I could get booked in so quick when I know people who are on the cancelation list and haven't been offered one yet. It doesn't pay to be nice sometimes.

My poor car failed the test. Hardly surprising since all I did was wash her. She failed on headlamp bulb but I also got a pass advisory on one of my tyres for being over 6 years old. The tester said they'd be checking the light and tyre when I go back. Do I have to change the tyre? It's only been on the car a few months and is still in good condition. If I'd checked my bulb beforehand I wouldn't be going back so they'd never know I ignored the advisory!

And yes I know it was stupid not to check my lights, especially since I failed on a reverse bulb last year!

No you're not obliged to replace the tyre in order to pass the re-test, it's not a fail as such. However, tyres degrade with age so just because it looks to be still in good condition on the outside but there's an increased risk it's not good internally. That is why you were advised to change the tyre.

michellie

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

if that was the case then why isint everyone getting free tests since their mainly booked out for another month and a half ?


he most likely picked up a cancellation. I did it today myself where I got people in this week on very short notice. I got someone in today with just one hour notice. no one has pulled the '4 weeks or free' card on me and I have not seen this done.

You work in citywest so ? You do know that you get a free test if waiting over the 4 weeks for a test tho, don't you? There has been a few free tests in the centre I work this year.

mgbgt1978

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I work for them in the booking and customer service office, so i've being trained in this and kinda know what im talking about thanks.

Kinda not very well trained...seeing as the Customer Charter is available to view in every NCT centre as well as the website.
The "28-day or the test is free" is widely known and is also part of your employers contract.
Or maybe you might be too well "trained"...enough to ignore Applus+'s contract with the government .

ironclaw

In case anyone is reading this and freaking out, once you have proof the car is booked for a test (In the car mind you) you won't have an issue with An Garda Siochana. Mine is out for 12+ months but that was due to buying the car and it not having an NCT. The earliest date at my centre was April and I booked it in February.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Kinda not very well trained...seeing as the Customer Charter is available to view in every NCT centre as well as the website.
The "28-day or the test is free" is widely known and is also part of your employers contract.
Or maybe you might be too well "trained"...enough to ignore Applus+'s contract with the government .

its more the case of trained not to give free tests... like I say I have yet to see a free test go through for a private car unless it was a retest for an nct mistake.

Whiplashy

slimjimmc wrote: »

No you're not obliged to replace the tyre in order to pass the re-test, it's not a fail as such. However, tyres degrade with age so just because it looks to be still in good condition on the outside but there's an increased risk it's not good internally. That is why you were advised to change the tyre.

Yeah I do realise now why they give the advisory. Apparently a lot if people are getting it. My car has oversized tyres on the back so I was planning on replacing both anyway as soon as I can afford it. I don't really want to do one now just to please the tester only to change it again in a few weeks for the right size.

Esel

Whiplashy wrote: »

I don't really want to do one now just to please the tester.

The tester doesn't care whether you change it or not....

Whiplashy

Esel wrote: »

The tester doesn't care whether you change it or not....

Understood! I was just being paranoid that the advisory would turn into a fail when they realised I'd ignored it.

leedslad

My Nct is due to expire 4/4/13, I tried to book online since 21/2/13 and showing no availability until 30/5/13. Rang NCT to explain on 21/2 and they said they would put me on a cancellation list and text me a date. Got the text today for 20/3 exactly 27 days since i went on list, good to see that they're not squandering state revenues giving away free tests

Boo2112

I got caught before with no nct, was out for a few months but the car was only recently back on the road. I had the test booked and they sent me out a confirmation text which I just showed the guard and they were grand about it. Once it's booked they don't mind in my experience. However I was talking to a recovery truck driver in Galway recently and he said anything over 3 months out, nct or tax, is getting seized no questions asked.

Esel

^ Over 2 months for tax.