Understanding the risks of driving without an NCT in Ireland

Driving without an NCT undermines road safety and can have serious consequences for you and others. In this article we will look at reasons why it’s always important to ensure your vehicle is tested and certified to keep yourself protected and compliant with the law.

Can you drive without NCT in Ireland? 

The simple answer is no; you cannot drive in Ireland without an NCT.  The NCT is designed to keep roads safer for everyone. Driving without it risks your safety, the safety of others, and can have serious legal and financial consequences.

It is a legal requirement for most vehicles over four years old to have a valid NCT certificate. The only exceptions are if you are driving to an NCT test centre. In this case you may drive without a valid NCT certificate only if you are on your way to a pre-booked test, and you may be asked to provide proof of your appointment if stopped by Gardaí.

If you are book an NCT, read our useful article on everything you need to know to prepare and pass your NCT for handy tips.

What are the risks of driving without NCT? 

It is an offence to drive a vehicle without an NCT. Failure to have an NCT will results in a fixed charge of €60 increasing to €90 if you do not pay within 28 days. You will also get three penalty points. Penalty points and fines can increase if the case goes to court if you fail to pay the fine. 

On a practical level there are risks too. The NCT checks essential safety features like brakes, tyres, and lights. Without it, your car could have dangerous faults, increasing the risk of accidents.

Skipping the NCT increases the chance of unnoticed issues causing your car to break down and faulty vehicles endanger not just the driver, but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

Gardaí may impound your vehicle if it is found to be dangerously defective or unroadworthy and you may struggle to sell or transfer ownership of your car without a valid NCT.

You can find out more information about driving offences in Ireland and the potential penalties and fines.

What happens if a car without valid NCT has a car accident? 

If a car without a valid NCT (National Car Test) certificate is involved in an accident in Ireland, several serious consequences can arise.

1. Insurance issues

• Claim refusal: Your insurance company may refuse to pay for damages to your own vehicle (your own policy) because the car was not roadworthy or legally compliant.
• Third-Party claims: Insurers are generally still required by law to cover third-party injury or damage claims, but they may seek to recover these costs from you afterward (known as ‘recovery’ or ‘recoupment’).
• Policy breach: Driving without an NCT may be seen as a breach of your insurance policy terms and conditions.

2. Legal consequences

• Fines and penalty points: You could be fined and receive penalty points for driving without a valid NCT.
• Prosecution: If the lack of an NCT contributed to the accident (e.g., faulty brakes), you could face prosecution for driving a dangerous or unroadworthy vehicle.

3. Liability

• Personal responsibility: If the accident was caused by a defect that would have been identified in an NCT, you may be held liable for damages or injuries.
• Higher costs: You may have to pay for repairs and legal fees out of your own pocket.

4. Vehicle seizure

• Gardaí action: As mentioned previously, if your car is found to be unroadworthy or dangerous, Gardaí may impound your vehicle.

Do I need to display the NCT certificate on the car? 

Yes, in Ireland, you are required to display your NCT certificate on your car.

The NCT disc should be clearly displayed on the inside of the front windscreen, typically on the passenger side. Not only is it a legal requirement to display the valid NCT disc on your vehicle at all times, the disc shows that your car has passed its NCT and is roadworthy. Failure to display it can result in a fine, even if your car has passed the test.

Can I drive a car without a valid NCT certificate if I have already booked an appointment? 

You cannot legally drive a car without a valid NCT certificate, even if you have already booked an appointment – except when you are driving directly to the NCT test centre for your scheduled test.

However, some drivers are reporting delays in getting appointments for their NCT. At Zurich we are pragmatic and understanding in our approach to the current delays at the National Car Testing Service.

Under the current circumstances, provided you make every effort to book your appointment in the normal way and if, through no fault of your own, you are unable to obtain your NCT due to backlogs at test centres, your cover will continue as normal provided there is evidence of an NCT appointment booking. Motor-insurance and road-traffic legislation require that motorists maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition at all times, and this remains the case. In the event of damage to the insured car, where the vehicle has been maintained in a roadworthy condition, we will continue to pay claims in line with the policy terms and conditions.

Conclusion

Driving without a valid NCT not only puts your safety and the safety of others at risk, but also exposes you to significant legal, financial, and insurance consequences if an accident occurs. It’s always best to keep your vehicle up to date with its NCT to protect yourself and others.

If you have specific questions about your insurance policy, it’s a good idea to speak directly with your insurance provider.