The Minister for Transport Shane Ross has said that motorists whose NCT certs or driving licences are expiring will still be insured during the new government restrictions.
NCT and driving test centres are currently closed to comply with the new government restrictions.
Mr Ross said that officials from his department have engaged with Insurance Ireland today "to confirm that motorists whose [NCT] certs or licences are expiring will still be insured".
In a tweet, Mr Ross said: "I'm happy to say we've been assured these documents will be treated as valid."
Today, my officials engaged with @insurance_irl to confirm that motorists whose certs or licences are expiring will still be insured. I'm happy to say we've been assured these documents will be treated as valid. Please stay safe #covid19 pic.twitter.com/myq2pTjfxj
— Shane Ross (@Ross_Shane1) March 30, 2020
In a statement this evening, Insurance Ireland said: "We note the proposal to extend driving licences and NCTs expiring between the beginning of March and the end of July by six months.
"Insurance Ireland members are happy to be supportive and treat such licences and NCTS/CRW as valid when people are renewing their motor insurance or taking out new motor insurance policies."
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority are jointly working on new measures to deal with the effect of suspending these services.
Full details are due to be announced later this week.
When the new travel restrictions were announced last Friday, the NCTS had initially indicated that the Government had designated it an "essential service".
But a spokesperson for the service later confirmed that inspections would be cancelled until further notice.
