National Car Test
The National Car Test, or NCT, is a roadworthiness test, which all cars in the Republic of Ireland must undergo. The test must first be taken when the car is between 3½ and 4 years old, with the second test between 5¾ and 6 years old, and every two years after that.
The NCT is available in 42 centres around Ireland, and tests various aspects of cars for safety, including tyres and brakes. It also tests the exhaust fumes for dangerous emissions. Visual aspects, such as the spare tyre, seat belts, and lights, are also checked.
Cars which pass receive an offical certificate, which is valid for two years as of the latest date the car could have been tested. For example, if a car was first registered on 2000-05-01, it would do its first NCT between 2003-11-01 and 2004-04-30, but the certificate would expire on 2006-05-01 irrespective of when the test was actually taken.
As of 2006, the fee for the NCT is €49 for a full test, and €27.50 for a re-test that requires testing equipment (e.g. emission levels, aiming of headlights, etc.) Re-tests that do not need testing equipment (e.g. obscured registration plate, faulty windscreen wiper are free of charge. However, missing an appointment or cancelling less than 5 days before the scheduled test results in a penalty charge of €21.90.