THE National Car Testing centres have come under fire after claims that free tests were available to drivers waiting for four weeks or longer proved incorrect.
A recent article in the Limerick Post revealed that the NCT customer charter aims to: “Ensure that a lead-time for an appointment at an individual test centre is less than three weeks with a free test if this is greater than four weeks”.
This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the NCT headquarters in Dublin, who said that anyone who was waiting longer than four weeks for an appointment would be entitled to the test, free of charge.
However, a number of motorists who attempted to avail of this service were told that they were not entitled to it. Mike Guilfoyle, Scarriff, did everything by the rules as he attempted to get an earlier appointment when he applied for a test at Ennis NCT Centre.
“I was on a waiting list since June,” Mike told the Limerick Post.
“I wanted a test as soon as possible as the guards had warned me that I could get penalty points. I was put on a priority list and got a date for September.
“Yet, when it came to the test day I had to pay. I was told I could state my case to the 1890 number for test booking. After a second call, I was put onto Customer Care who stated that I needed to put it in writing, send the letter to Dublin, and if my case seemed valid, they would refund my fee, if I was entitled”.
In light of this information the Limerick Post again contacted the headquarters of the NCT and pointed out the above case.
“The free test only applies to those who are on the priority list and do not receive an appointment date within four weeks. The test itself may be for a date that is months away but once the appointment is received within four weeks, the test is not free,” clarified a spokesperson.
“Anyone who feels they should be entitled to one can write to the customer service department”.
Even politicians who highlighted the free test in an effort to appease motorists frustrated with the NCT backlog, seemed to have misconstrued the entitlement.
Earlier in the year, Mayo TD, John O’Mahony, issued a statement saying: “Many drivers and NCT staff members are unaware of a rule that results in drivers being entitled to a free test.
“It is clear to me, when a driver is booking a test and can’t be given one within four weeks, he is entitled to a free test”.
Mr. Guilfoyle feels that the system is set up so that the NCT does not need to refund the money to any motorist. “I feel the NCT are being extremely stingy and wish to cop out of their commitments to cancel fees for people waiting longer than four weeks.
“I want to warn people that they should bring their €50 to the test centre even if they have waited longer than four weeks for an appointment”.
