207 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason vehicle owners who had their NCT examinations postponed due to the recent strike action have to re-sit the NCT within a year rather than wait the two year period. [7036/02]

Passenger cars are required to undergo a roadworthiness test when they are four years old and every two years thereafter. Each test due date is set by reference to the date of first registration of the vehicle. Accordingly, where a NCT inspection occurs after the test due date, the NCT certificate is valid from the date of the test to the next test due date. This arrangement follows from the test schedule laid down in Directive 96/96/EC, which requires mandatory vehicle testing in all member states.