Issues clarified on NCT and licences
THE EU will allow Member State governments to extend a car owner’s NCT validity, or driving license for a further period of seven months, according to MEP Chris MacManus.
“It can be extended if it has expired between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020, as many NCT and licenses centres were closed during this time. Current measures announced by the Irish government already protect many people in Ireland with expiring or recently expired documentation, however this additional EU legislation will safeguard people who had expirations in February, March and April of 2020,” said the Sligo MEP.
He continued: “I think this is a necessary legislation as I know many of my constituents are struggling financially as a result of the upheaval caused by COVID-19.
“Now is not the time for people to be under pressure to fork out money for NCTs or for expired driving licenses, or having to travel and put themselves at risk of infection to renew these licenses.
“We must prioritise extending the validity of these certificates along with the many EU countries who will do so.
“I hope and eagerly wait for the Irish government to implement this legislation in Ireland and give vehicle holders across the country a much needed break,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism, and Sport Marc MacSharry says the Government must clarify the status of expiring learner permits which may lapse while driving tests are unable to be taken due to the public health measures.
Deputy Mac Sharry said: “Any young person listening to Minister Shane Ross would have felt much concern that their learner permit will expire through no fault of their own.
“It is paramount the Minister instructs his Department to investigate how driving tests could be conducted safely as public health measures ease.
“It is also crucial that the Minister extend any expiring learner permits until such a time that driving tests can be taken.
“Under current arrangements all driving licences or learner permits that are expiring between March 1st to June 30 th have been extended by four months. This four month extension has to be broadened if testing does not resume.
“There is roughly a 20,000 backlog in those waiting to take a driving test. I understand this will grow by roughly 9,000 per month.
“If permits are not extended and no effort is made to resume testing safely this will create a regional divide.
“Thousands of young workers in rural Ireland do not have access to public transport and need their private vehicles to get to work.
“If the will was there from the Minister we could have a solution to this very serious problem.
“We need the Department of Transport to investigate ways to safely bring back driving testing and clarity on extending the four month window on expiring licences and permits.
“The disinterest from the caretaker Minister only highlights the need for a new government,” concluded Deputy MacSharry.
Minister Ross in a statement said he had asked officials in his Department and in the RSA to continue to engage with a view to producing a road map for the phased resumption of RSA services including the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), Driver Theory Test (DTT), National Car Test (NCT) and the Driving Test.
“While most customers of these services will not need to avail of them in the short term, because of these extensions, I do however want to see the phased reopening of the RSA’s services so we can contribute to the process of reopening Ireland’s economy and society.
“This must be done in line with the Government’s road map for easing of Covid19 restrictions, published on 1 May, and in compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol agreed by employer and worker representatives.”
The Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) network reopened on Monday for vehicles with a test due date prior to 28 March 2020 (before the three-month extension to commercial vehicle certificates of roadworthiness came into effect). The resumption of testing for vehicles with a test due date on or after 28 March 2020 is expected to follow over the coming weeks.