Advice needed. Summons for no NCT

Limerick_Lass

Quick explanation on what happened.
Had my NCT booked for a date in November, my dad decided to take us all away on a small break for his birthday. While away I got a reminder about my NCT so changed the date online. Next available date was March! I remember reading on the news that guards were going to use common sense on the matter as the waiting lists at NCT centres were ridiculous.

When I got home, I rang the NCT to be put on a cancellation list. On the following Tuesday I got pulled in Cork city for using my mobile for directions.
When he was taking down my details, he mentioned my NCT and I said I have it booked in. Nothing more said. Received a fine & penalty points for using mobile phone.
Then last week I received a summons to court in April for using a vehicle with no NCT and for failing to produce a certificate there & then or within 10 days.
I had a clean license up until then, 15 years driving.

Now I was never asked to bring a test certificate to a garda station within 10 days!
I need some advice, I take total blame for driving with an out of date NCT but it all seems very harsh.
Do I need a solicitor or can I handle this myself?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Why is it harsh? You were driving a car with no NCT and using a mobile. You've nobody to blame but yourself

jones

Not harsh for being on the phone that's obvious but it does seem harsh re the NCT especially seeing as he was never told to bring it into the station in 10 days. I am actually on the NCT waiting list aswell and still waiting on a call, my NCT isn't out for another 10 days but I could easily be out of date by the time they fit me in for a cancellation. I tried to book it over a month ago and the nearest date it was giving me was the end of March so I was advised to go on the cancellation list instead.

TonyStark

To answer your question, If that were me I would get a solicitor.

The background to your case is irrelevant really, holiday etc.

The question I would ask is why didn't you ring the nct and why not travel to one of the lower volume ones after being pulled by a guard?

Why did you not have confirmation of your booking to show the gaurd in your vehicle? At least that shows concern to get your car ncted

jones

TonyStark wrote: »

Why did you not have confirmation of your booking to show the gaurd in your vehicle? At least that shows concern to get your car ncted

When you are on the priority list you don't have any confirmation - apart from a text message to say your on it

JohnBee

jones wrote: »

When you are on the cancellation list you don't have any confirmation - apart from a text message to say your on it

You may not have written confirmation of being on a cancellation list, however you will have the original appointment letter.

I love how the OP reports mobile use for directions, as if that makes a difference. OP got caught out for recklessly endangering the lives of other road users and is boohooing about not having an NCT aswell? Go home.

TonyStark

I am presuming that all of this happened before December 8th? Otherwise it would be a Fixed Penalty Notice like being on the mobile phone.