Declared off the road - Mechanic

antodeco

Hi all,

Very quick one. If a car is declared off the road, can a mechanic drive it on the road?

EG: Mechanic collects it from a home, drives it to the garage and back, is that legal?

standardg60

Yes that's fine, can also be driven to/from NCT test

antodeco

Perfect! Thank you

Atlantic Dawn

Around the NCT it can be, would be risky bringing it for any other reason...

Q15. What if I'm due to have an NCT while my car is off the road?

A15. A vehicle may be used during the period of a non-use declaration in two cases:

• to bring it to and from a test centre for the test; or
• to bring it for repair after a re-test, or back to where you are keeping it while it is off the road after the repairs. This option may only be used where an appointment has already been made for a re-test.

https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/1ba443-motor-taxvehicle-registration/#declaring-a-vehicle-off-the-road

elperello

No.

When you signed the RF 150 form you undertook certain conditions.

https://www.motortax.ie/OMT/pdf/RF150_en.pdf

The NCT exemption is covered under different legislation.

antodeco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118247609#Comment_118247609

It does say for the repair, for an NCT. Which is what it is actually in for

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118247917#Comment_118247917

OK you didn't mention NCT in your op.

antodeco

Yes I know because it's in for repairs that it failed on the NCT, but it's not going back for the NCT as it's declared off the road for a few months.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118247980#Comment_118247980

If there is no appointment it can't go on the road, maybe you could get it trailered to be on the safe side.

Glaceon

If the mechanic has the green garage plates, could they drive it on those?

ELM327

The mechanic would have trade plates.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118248019#Comment_118248019

It doesn’t say you need an appointment booked. As long as the repairs are for an NCT it is allowed

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118266620#Comment_118266620

Are you sure? Quote from post #4 above -

A15. A vehicle may be used during the period of a non-use declaration in two cases:

• to bring it to and from a test centre for the test; or
• to bring it for repair after a re-test, or back to where you are keeping it while it is off the road after the repairs. This option may only be used where an appointment has already been made for a re-test.

https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/1ba443-motor-taxvehicle-registration/#declaring-a-vehicle-off-the-road

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118266706#Comment_118266706

Damn I’m blind

Regardless I think its a safe bet driving it without an actual re test booking if you have the fail sheet

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118266723#Comment_118266723

Yes you can always chance it and most likely escape detection. You take your risk and live with the result.

It's an awkward rule for people trying to get an old car back on the road. Parts can be scarce and hard to get so to have it fixed and back for the retest can be a bit of a challenge.

The rule is more with modern cars in mind where you just get a new part and slap it in.

antodeco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118268191#Comment_118268191

And unfortunately it's one of my old cars and this is the exact issue. It's taken ALOT longer to get some of the parts (and UK deliveries are also super slow!). It doesn't make sense to retax it for 3 months as it's nearly €400 for the 3 months

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118247563#Comment_118247563

To expand, a mechanic can drive the vehicle using his trade plates as long as he/she is driving the vehicle expressly for reasons related to the repair.

Some lad can't take a car whenever and if stopped just say that he is a mechanic so is allowed to drive the vehicle.