Your Guide to Booking and Passing Your NCT

If your NCT test date is approaching and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. The good news? Booking your NCT is easier than you think, and with the right preparation, you can get through it hassle-free.

What is the NCT?

The NCT (National Car Test) is a mandatory vehicle safety and emissions test for cars over four years old in Ireland. If your car is due for an NCT, you must book and complete the test every two years to stay legally compliant and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.

Many drivers put off booking their NCT, but the reality is that the process is simple when you know what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Book Your NCT

Booking your NCT is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:

Go to the official NCT website – Visit www.ncts.ie to book an appointment online or call 1890 40 60 40 (lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm).
Have your vehicle registration number handy – This can be found on your car logbook (VRC - Vehicle Registration Certificate).
Select a test centre and date – Choose the most convenient location and time slot for you.
Confirm your booking – Once booked, you’ll receive a confirmation text with your test details.
Prepare for the test – Bring your car, ID (driving licence or passport), and necessary documentation on the test day.
Arrive early – Get to the test centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled slot.
Wait for results – After the inspection, you’ll receive a report on whether your vehicle has passed or if any repairs are required.

Getting Ready for Your NCT Test

Once your NCT is booked, the next step is ensuring your car is ready. The test covers various safety checks, including:

Brakes, steering, and suspension – Make sure your brakes are responsive, and there’s no excessive play in your steering.
Lights and indicators – All lights, including brake lights and indicators, must be in working order.
Tyres – Ensure your tyres have adequate tread depth (at least 1.6mm) and are properly inflated.
Fluids – Check oil, coolant, and washer fluid levels.
Wipers and mirrors – These should be fully functional and provide a clear view.

Taking a few minutes to check these simple things before your appointment can make the difference between passing and failing.

Why Your NCT Matters

An NCT certificate isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a key part of ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive. If your car was registered after January 1, 2004, you must take the test every two years. If your car is over 10 years old, an NCT is required every year.

Driving without a valid NCT certificate is illegal in Ireland and can result in fines, penalty points, and even prosecution. Additionally, some insurance policies may not cover a vehicle without a valid NCT, so keeping your certificate up to date is crucial.

What Happens If Your Car Fails the NCT?

Not every car passes the NCT on the first attempt, but don’t panic—it’s not the end of the road!

If your car fails, you’ll receive a report detailing the issues found.
As long as your car is deemed roadworthy, you can drive home from the test centre.
You’ll have 28 days to carry out the necessary repairs and return for a re-test at no extra cost.
If the failure is deemed dangerous, you will not be allowed to drive the vehicle until repairs are completed and the car passes a re-inspection.
Driving without a valid NCT is illegal in Ireland and could lead to fines, penalty points, or even impact your insurance coverage. If you are stopped by Gardaí without a valid NCT, you could face penalties, so it’s important to get your vehicle tested and keep your certification up to date.

Many drivers don’t realise their NCT is due until they’re stopped by Gardaí or need to renew their car insurance. Avoid the last-minute rush—book your test in advance and give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary repairs.

Book Your NCT Today

If your NCT is due, don’t delay. Booking your test now ensures you stay legal and safe on the road.

Visit www.ncts.ie or call 1890 40 60 40 to schedule your appointment today!

By staying on top of your NCT, you can drive with confidence, knowing your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and fully insured.

If your NCT test date is approaching and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. The good news? Booking your NCT is easier than you think, and with the right preparation, you can get through it hassle-free.

What is the NCT?

The NCT (National Car Test) is a mandatory vehicle safety and emissions test for cars over four years old in Ireland. If your car is due for an NCT, you must book and complete the test every two years to stay legally compliant and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.

Many drivers put off booking their NCT, but the reality is that the process is simple when you know what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Book Your NCT

Booking your NCT is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:

Go to the official NCT website – Visit www.ncts.ie to book an appointment online or call 1890 40 60 40 (lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm).
Have your vehicle registration number handy – This can be found on your car logbook (VRC - Vehicle Registration Certificate).
Select a test centre and date – Choose the most convenient location and time slot for you.
Confirm your booking – Once booked, you’ll receive a confirmation text with your test details.
Prepare for the test – Bring your car, ID (driving licence or passport), and necessary documentation on the test day.
Arrive early – Get to the test centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled slot.
Wait for results – After the inspection, you’ll receive a report on whether your vehicle has passed or if any repairs are required.

Getting Ready for Your NCT Test

Once your NCT is booked, the next step is ensuring your car is ready. The test covers various safety checks, including:

Brakes, steering, and suspension – Make sure your brakes are responsive, and there’s no excessive play in your steering.
Lights and indicators – All lights, including brake lights and indicators, must be in working order.
Tyres – Ensure your tyres have adequate tread depth (at least 1.6mm) and are properly inflated.
Fluids – Check oil, coolant, and washer fluid levels.
Wipers and mirrors – These should be fully functional and provide a clear view.

Taking a few minutes to check these simple things before your appointment can make the difference between passing and failing.

Why Your NCT Matters

An NCT certificate isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a key part of ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive. If your car was registered after January 1, 2004, you must take the test every two years. If your car is over 10 years old, an NCT is required every year.

Driving without a valid NCT certificate is illegal in Ireland and can result in fines, penalty points, and even prosecution. Additionally, some insurance policies may not cover a vehicle without a valid NCT, so keeping your certificate up to date is crucial.

What Happens If Your Car Fails the NCT?

Not every car passes the NCT on the first attempt, but don’t panic—it’s not the end of the road!

If your car fails, you’ll receive a report detailing the issues found.
As long as your car is deemed roadworthy, you can drive home from the test centre.
You’ll have 28 days to carry out the necessary repairs and return for a re-test at no extra cost.
If the failure is deemed dangerous, you will not be allowed to drive the vehicle until repairs are completed and the car passes a re-inspection.
Driving without a valid NCT is illegal in Ireland and could lead to fines, penalty points, or even impact your insurance coverage. If you are stopped by Gardaí without a valid NCT, you could face penalties, so it’s important to get your vehicle tested and keep your certification up to date.

Many drivers don’t realise their NCT is due until they’re stopped by Gardaí or need to renew their car insurance. Avoid the last-minute rush—book your test in advance and give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary repairs.

Book Your NCT Today

If your NCT is due, don’t delay. Booking your test now ensures you stay legal and safe on the road.

Visit www.ncts.ie or call 1890 40 60 40 to schedule your appointment today!

By staying on top of your NCT, you can drive with confidence, knowing your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and fully insured.

If your NCT test date is approaching and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. The good news? Booking your NCT is easier than you think, and with the right preparation, you can get through it hassle-free.

What is the NCT?

The NCT (National Car Test) is a mandatory vehicle safety and emissions test for cars over four years old in Ireland. If your car is due for an NCT, you must book and complete the test every two years to stay legally compliant and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.

Many drivers put off booking their NCT, but the reality is that the process is simple when you know what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Book Your NCT

Booking your NCT is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:

Go to the official NCT website – Visit www.ncts.ie to book an appointment online or call 1890 40 60 40 (lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm).
Have your vehicle registration number handy – This can be found on your car logbook (VRC - Vehicle Registration Certificate).
Select a test centre and date – Choose the most convenient location and time slot for you.
Confirm your booking – Once booked, you’ll receive a confirmation text with your test details.
Prepare for the test – Bring your car, ID (driving licence or passport), and necessary documentation on the test day.
Arrive early – Get to the test centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled slot.
Wait for results – After the inspection, you’ll receive a report on whether your vehicle has passed or if any repairs are required.

Getting Ready for Your NCT Test

Once your NCT is booked, the next step is ensuring your car is ready. The test covers various safety checks, including:

Brakes, steering, and suspension – Make sure your brakes are responsive, and there’s no excessive play in your steering.
Lights and indicators – All lights, including brake lights and indicators, must be in working order.
Tyres – Ensure your tyres have adequate tread depth (at least 1.6mm) and are properly inflated.
Fluids – Check oil, coolant, and washer fluid levels.
Wipers and mirrors – These should be fully functional and provide a clear view.

Taking a few minutes to check these simple things before your appointment can make the difference between passing and failing.

Why Your NCT Matters

An NCT certificate isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a key part of ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive. If your car was registered after January 1, 2004, you must take the test every two years. If your car is over 10 years old, an NCT is required every year.

Driving without a valid NCT certificate is illegal in Ireland and can result in fines, penalty points, and even prosecution. Additionally, some insurance policies may not cover a vehicle without a valid NCT, so keeping your certificate up to date is crucial.

What Happens If Your Car Fails the NCT?

Not every car passes the NCT on the first attempt, but don’t panic—it’s not the end of the road!

If your car fails, you’ll receive a report detailing the issues found.
As long as your car is deemed roadworthy, you can drive home from the test centre.
You’ll have 28 days to carry out the necessary repairs and return for a re-test at no extra cost.
If the failure is deemed dangerous, you will not be allowed to drive the vehicle until repairs are completed and the car passes a re-inspection.
Driving without a valid NCT is illegal in Ireland and could lead to fines, penalty points, or even impact your insurance coverage. If you are stopped by Gardaí without a valid NCT, you could face penalties, so it’s important to get your vehicle tested and keep your certification up to date.

Many drivers don’t realise their NCT is due until they’re stopped by Gardaí or need to renew their car insurance. Avoid the last-minute rush—book your test in advance and give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary repairs.

Book Your NCT Today

If your NCT is due, don’t delay. Booking your test now ensures you stay legal and safe on the road.

Visit www.ncts.ie or call 1890 40 60 40 to schedule your appointment today!

By staying on top of your NCT, you can drive with confidence, knowing your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and fully insured.