What is the quickest way to get an NCT?

Brendan Burgess

Founder
Messages
54,687
I rang today and they told me that they couldn't do a test until July. My NCT expires in late May. They then told me I could ring up at any time and ask for a cancellation.

I would be using the Deansgrange Centre, but I presume I could go to another Dublin based centre either.

I presume that if I have a date, although my NCT is expired, the Garda would be unlikely to push it.
 
Last edited:
I was able to get one within two weeks by going to Greenhills instead of the nearer Deans Grange one.
 
I found Fonthill very handy to get a booking time for when I did mine last year. It says on the site
If you are unable to obtain an appointment within four weeks at your chosen Test Centre then please phone call us on 1890 412 413
Click to expand...
Have you tried ringing them to see what they say?
If you cant get a test within 4 weeks it should be free according to the NCT charter: [broken link removed]:
4. Ensure that the average leadtime for an appointment at an individual test centre is less than three weeks with a free test if this is greater than four weeks.
Click to expand...
 
Ring them at 8am each morning and ask for a cancellation. You will get a quick test that way.
 
on the website you can choose a time and centre... usually 2 weeks in advance... Also remember you can take your car in 6 months early which then gives you a 2 year 6 month nct good when selling..
 
I called just now and got a test for the 25th May in Fonthill.

I will be a few days without the NCT, but that's not too bad. I have the booking confirmed to my phone, so if I am stopped, I can show it.
 
Brendan Burgess said:
I called just now and got a test for the 25th May in Fonthill.

I will be a few days without the NCT, but that's not too bad. I have the booking confirmed to my phone, so if I am stopped, I can show it.
Click to expand...
That will be ok. Normally they will confirm with a letter also. You can show that to the Gardaí.
 
bluemac said:
on the website you can choose a time and centre... usually 2 weeks in advance... Also remember you can take your car in 6 months early which then gives you a 2 year 6 month nct good when selling..
Click to expand...

It's six months in advance for the first NCT, three months for subsequent tests. Still a good idea though!

SSE
 
Time said:
That will be ok. Normally they will confirm with a letter also. You can show that to the Gardaí.
Click to expand...

A friend booked recently and was told she would be sent a text message not a letter.

Actually, reading this thread, it appears there is a lot of confusion among people about the various details of nct.
 
I booked for Greenhills Rd three days ago,and got a booking for Sunday 18th Jan.The trick is to go online afte 11.30,when cancellations are released.
 
I rang up for a relative. I mentioned the 'free' test if not given a date within 30 days. Lady on the phone said that's I'd get date within a week ..... I got the date by text on working day 7. She had mentioned that I wouldn't be getting to the stage of getting a free test. She was right!
 

vandriver said:
I booked for Greenhills Rd three days ago,and got a booking for Sunday 18th Jan.The trick is to go online afte 11.30,when cancellations are released.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I found some time back.
 
My NCT is due end of July. I contacted them today and there is only one opening on the 8th August next. Appointments are not really available until around the 18th August. They seem to be running behind by about 9 weeks.
 
A couple of weeks ago I went online to book an appointment (my NCT had expired a few days before). The earliest appointment offered was in August. However there was an option on screen that stated something along the lines of 'If this date is further than 4 weeks away you can request an earlier appointment by clicking here.' I clicked the link and was informed that I would be contacted. A couple of days later I received an SMS confirmation of a test date exactly 4 weeks from the day that I logged in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register