National Car Test

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Questions (316)

Ann Graves

Question:

316. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport if an investigation can be conducted of an inspection carried out at a test centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5832/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As set out in my earlier responses, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.

As the Deputy is aware, the RSA has contracted a third-party service provider to run the NCTS on its behalf, with the contract managed and overseen by the RSA's customer operations directorate.

The RSA have advised that this matter was investigated by the NCTS at the time and a number of responses were issued to the vehicle owner following the investigation. Information was provided to the vehicle owner outlining the NCTS Customer Complaints Procedure which also included information in relation to contacting the Independent Appeals Board (IAB) if the vehicle owner wished to do so. The IAB is provided by the Automobile Association (AA) on behalf of the RSA. The AA is fully independent in the exercise of this function, and its findings are binding on the RSA and NCTS.