Sir, – Today I tried to book my car’s NCT due in eight weeks, a prudent timescale you might think. The system offered me a slot in Tipperary, more than two-hour drive from my current location. The two Cork centres offered dates in late January 2024 and Skibereen offered me tomorrow or mid-January 2024. When I tried to accept tomorrow it was deleted and dates from mid-January 2024 were offered. I wrote to the NCT pointing out that under their charter if they were not able to offer me an NCT “You will be provided with a test, free of charge, where an appointment cannot be offered within a 28 day period”.
According to correspondence, because I did not accept the January dates I am deemed to have refused an appointment and therefore am not entitled to a free test as per the charter. This would appear to be a catch-22. Meantime I am on hold on the phone to try to get on a “priority list” for a test before my due date of August 30th.
It seems the NCT booking system or website remain completely unfit for purpose. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW DOYLE,
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Bandon,
Co Cork.