Sir, – My wife’s car is due for the NCT in the middle of January. The earliest date available in the local test centre in Waterford is early May. The alternative to that is a date in January in Kilkenny, which is about an hour’s drive away.
In the southeast, there appears to be only one test centre per county doing car testing.
By contrast, there are four garages doing commercial vehicle testing in Waterford city or its immediate surrounds. It is possible to get a commercial vehicle test appointment within a week of applying.
These garages are monitored and supervised by the Road Safety Authority.
Why is not possible to have a similar arrangement for private car testing? It would speed up the testing and break the monopoly held by the NCT licensee. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT TWIGG,
Kilmeaden,
Co Waterford.