Last checked against official sources on 2 October 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, financial or mechanical advice. Rules, rates and fees change, so confirm the details with the official sources listed at the end before you act. CarQnA is not affiliated with any of them.
The National Car Test (NCT) is Ireland's roadworthiness test for cars. It is not hard to pass if you know what is checked and sort the small things beforehand. Here is when yours is due, what it costs in 2026, why cars fail and how to give yours the best chance.
When is my NCT due?
The schedule depends on the car's age, counted from the date it was first registered, in Ireland or anywhere else. The test falls due on the anniversary of that date.
- First test: when the car is four years old.
- Then every two years, until the car is ten years old.
- From ten years old: every year.
- Cars aged 30 to 39 years that are not used commercially: every two years.
- Cars over 40 years old: exempt.
You can take the test up to 90 days before it is due without losing any time on your certificate.
How much does the NCT cost?
These are the NCTS fees for cars, in force since 1 January 2025:
- Full test: €60.
- Retest: €40, if you book within 21 days of the first test and complete it within 30 days.
- Retest that only needs a visual check: free, within the same time limits.
- Cancelling or not turning up with less than 5 working days' notice: €24.
- Replacement certificate or test report: €15.50.
Booking your test
Book online at ncts.ie or by phone. Under the NCTS customer charter, the average wait for a test should be 15 days or less, and if they cannot offer you a test within 28 days, the test is free (exceptions apply, for example if the test is more than 7 days overdue). If you are kept waiting more than 65 minutes past your appointment time, the test is also free. Bring the car's Vehicle Registration Certificate, and the person bringing the car needs a driving licence or Public Services Card as ID, or no certificate is issued on the day.
What happens at the test
The test takes around 40 minutes to an hour and covers about 60 checks, including brakes, steering and suspension, lights, tyres, wheels, seatbelts, emissions and the chassis underneath. You wait while it is done and get your result at the end.
The most common reasons cars fail
According to the NCTS, the most common fail points are headlights (their aim and condition), suspension and steering, and brakes. Many fails come down to small things you can check yourself in ten minutes.
A 10-minute pre-NCT checklist
- Walk round the car with someone pressing the lights: headlights, dipped and main beam, indicators, brake lights, reverse and number plate lights.
- Check the headlight lenses are clean and not cracked or badly faded.
- Check tyre tread: the legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, and the RSA recommends at least 3mm. Look for cuts, bulges and mismatched sizes on the same axle.
- Top up the washer fluid and make sure the wipers clear the screen without smearing.
- Look for chips or cracks in the windscreen, especially in the driver's line of sight.
- Check every seatbelt clicks in and releases, and that the horn works.
- Get any dashboard warning light diagnosed and the fault fixed, rather than just reset.
- Clear out the boot and cabin so the tester can reach everything, and make sure the number plates are clean and legible.
If your car fails
Faults are graded minor, major or dangerous. A dangerous fault means the car is not safe to drive and should not be driven until it is repaired. For other fails, get the work done and book the retest within 21 days, then complete it within 30 days, to pay the reduced €40 fee or nothing at all for a visual retest.
Driving without a valid NCT
Driving a car that needs an NCT without a current certificate brings 3 penalty points and a €60 fixed charge, rising to €90 if not paid within 28 days. It can also cause problems with your insurance, so check your date and book early.
Common questions
How do I know when my NCT is due?
It is due on the anniversary of the car's first registration: at four years, then every two years, and every year once the car is ten. Your current NCT certificate and disc show the expiry date.
How much is the NCT in 2026?
€60 for a full test and €40 for a retest booked within 21 days and completed within 30. A retest that only needs a visual check is free.
How long does the NCT take?
Around 40 minutes to an hour on the day.
Do I need an NCT to tax my car?
Not for a private car: motor tax and the NCT are separate. But driving without a valid NCT when one is due brings 3 penalty points and a fine.
Can I do my NCT early?
Yes. You can test up to 90 days before the due date without losing time on your certificate.