The National Transport Authority has said it cannot lawfully issue new taxi licences to drivers of vehicles that do not have a valid NCT.
It means that taxi drivers whose licences are due to expire shortly and need to get their car tested as part of the renewal process, may not be able to renew their licence until problems with lifts in NCT centres are resolved.
According to the NTA around 100 vehicles nationwide may be impacted by the issue over the next two weeks.
"NTA is not lawfully in a position to grant a vehicle licence without proof of a valid NCT Certificate dated within 90 days of inspection," a spokesperson for the authority said tonight.
"RSA and NCTS have advised NTA that all vehicle owners should continue to book and attend at their NCT as normal. The test will be completed with the temporary omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later time when the lifts are returned to use."
The NTA added that the Road Safety Authority and National Car Testing Service have committed to prioritising the provision of NCT certificates for taxis.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority has advised motorists whose cars require an NCT to proceed with booking and attending the appointment, despite the partial suspension of the test because of safety concerns over lifts used by testing centre staff.
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The organisation says motorists who do this will be issued with a Vehicle Inspection Report which they should then carry with them in their cars while they are awaiting resumption of the underbody testing.
In a statement, the RSA says it has been working with Applus and engaging with other relevant stakeholders including An Garda Síochána to ensure that they are appraised of the issue and to establish the extent of the problem and possible resolutions.
It adds that Applus is working to urgently resolve the issue and it expects some lifts in certain centres will come back online shortly.
"As an interim measure, a Vehicle Inspection Report will be issued in the normal way following a test," the RSA said.
"While it will indicate the result as a 'Fail' it will clearly indicate "No lift inspection done" in relation to Stage 3 of the test dealing with the visual inspection of the underbody."
"Motorists affected by the issue are advised to keep a copy of their Vehicle Inspection Report with them in their vehicle."
While An Garda Síochána has yet to make any statement on the matter, RTÉ News understands that gardaí will accept an otherwise complete Vehicle Inspection Report as proof of motorists efforts to get their NCT certificate.
However, the RSA has also reminded motorists that any defects detected in their car at any part of the test must be rectified at the earliest opportunity.
It is also understood that the RSA is considering interim measures to assist those who are awaiting a driving test but need to get an NCT cert for their car before they can do so.
