Anger at penalty points for no NCT

Anger at penalty points for no NCT


Anton McNulty

FROM May 1, motorists will not only have to worry about the hectic Bank Holiday traffic and getting to their destination safely, but will also have to ensure they don’t pick up penalty points when five new offences are introduced.
The new additions will bring to 42 the number of offences which come under the penalty points system, with up to five points being added to motorists’ driving licences if they are found guilty of the new offence.
Five penalty points will be added to your licence if you are convicted for failing to have an up-to-date NCT test certificate, driving a dangerously defective vehicle or using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness. Drivers also face having three points added to their licence if they strike an overhead bridge or for driving a vehicle before remedying dangerous defects.
The introduction of the additional offences, which were given the green light by the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, on April 13, have taken motorists by surprise, especially the offence relating to the NCT test. Last week, NCT test centres across the country were inundated with calls from motorists fearful they will pick up five penalty points if they do not have their vehicle tested before May 1.
Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle told The Mayo News he was vexed by the introduction of the penalty points for having no NCT, which he claimed was a money-making racket and had nothing to do with safety.
“I am sick listening to people on about road safety when a brand new car would fail this test inside a year because of the roads we have to travel on. The NCT is a money-making racket and should be done by any local garage man like the MOT in England, where it can be done in 45 minutes without having to book a test weeks in advance and having to travel miles. I am in complete disagreement with putting penalty points on a licence for having no NCT cert. What are people supposed to do if they have to wait for their test? Park up their car and not go to their job? We have gone completely overboard here,” he said.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport told The Mayo News that there was no change to the law regarding driving a car without an NCT other than the additional points to the licence.
“It is already an existing offence to drive on the road without a NCT certificate and Gardaí have the power to issue summonses,” said the Department spokesperson. “The only difference from May 1 is if you are summonsed, as well as getting fined you will also get five penalty points if you are found guilty. Any car over four years old has to have a certificate of roadworthiness. The vast majority of motorists are compliant and if people obey the law and are mindful of the road traffic laws they have nothing to worry about.”