The Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have confirmed t the phased reopening of some RSA’s services began on Monday 8 June, the start of Phase 2 of the Government’s Road Map for the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions. Clarification on CPC cards is also outlined in this briefing.
As the wheels of the transport industry get back rolling again, the State Agencies have updated services – see details below:
National Car Test Service (NCTS)
Link to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document for the National Car Test (NCTS) can be found here
https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Press%20Office/FAQ’s%20Resumption%20of%20NCT%20Service%206%20Juneb.pdf
National Driver Licence Service (NDLS)
The phased reopening of the NDLS service began on 8 June 2020, with the reopening of 20 centres initially with the rest reopening later in June. Further updates will be posted on www.ndls.ie and www.rsa.ie
Link to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document for the NDLS can be found here:
https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Press%20Office/NDLS%20Resumption%20of%20service%206%20June.pdf
Driver Theory Test (DTT)
The reopening of the DTT commenced on Monday 8 June with the opening of all 43 centres around the country. Updates can be found on www.dtt.ie andwww.rsa.ie Link to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document for the DTT can be found here: https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Press%20Office/FAQ’s%20Resumption%20of%20DTT%20Service%206%20June.pdf
Please note the change in the validity period of Driver CPC cards as agreed by the EU Commission which came into effect during the week.
Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council[1] lays down rules applicable to the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. Those drivers must hold a certificate of professional competence and must prove they have completed the periodic training by holding a driving licence or a driver qualification card, on which the training is registered. Due to the difficulties in completing the periodic training and in renewing certificates of professional competence certifying that training as a consequence of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, which started as of 1 February 2020 in some Member States, it is necessary to extend the validity of those certificates for six months after their expiry date, in order to ensure the continuity of road transport.
[1] Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive 91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC (OJ L 226, 10.9.2003, p.4).