A car-testing scheme which starts in January 2000 is expected to clear the roads of many old, unfit and smoky bangers. The scheme is "an important advance for Irish motoring, for consumers and road safety", according to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, who signed the contract for the scheme yesterday.
Items covered in the test are laid down by an EU directive. They include braking systems, steering, windscreens and window glass, lamps and electrical equipment, axles, wheels, suspension and chassis, bodywork, safety belts, speedometer, noise and emissions. Motor tax offices will not tax cars which fail.
The Republic will be the last EU state to introduce car testing, having previously sought derogation from EU rules. The scheme will be operated by the National Car Testing Service Ltd, a subsidiary of SGS Ireland, which was awarded the contract for 10 years after an international tender..
The 30-minute test will cost £35, with a re-test fee of £19.80. Pre-1992 cars will be tested in 2000, followed by 1992-96 registered cars in 2001.
The Minister admitted that many old cars had been detrimental to the environment. "We will be testing 400,000 in the first year. It would have been worse if we had continued with derogation."
Testing will take place at 43 centres, with 40 permanent and three mobile. Dublin city will have four centres and Cork city one. In rural areas, the testing centres are likely to be in buildings leased from agricultural marts.
The scheme is likely to provide 300 jobs in its first year.