Car maintenance
Advice and information about maintaining your car in a safe and roadworthy condition.
You must maintain your car regularly and ensure it’s always in a proper working condition. This is the law and there are penalties for anyone who drives an unroadworthy vehicle in a public place. What’s more, you shouldn’t let the condition of your car put your safety, and the safety of your passengers or other road users at risk.
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Types of driving offences that incur penalty points. List of all current offences. Offences that most often incur penalty points and fixed charge notices.
Car maintenance
Motoring journalist Geraldine Herbert explains 12 basic car maintenance checks you should always carry out between regular services.
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Vehicle parts
Our vehicle components page offers information about important vehicle components such as tyres, lighting, seatbelts, child restraint systems, windscreen and vehicle glass.
Information and regulations for important vehicle components including lights, seat belts, glass and tyres.
Car Safety checks
Download and read our Car Safety Checks booklet for 12 car checks you can carry out at home.
RSA 12 Car Safety Checks pdf | 1018 KB
Walkaround checks
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National Car Test (NCT)
The National Car Test (NCT) is a preventative road safety measure that ensures cars using Irish roads are subject to a basic safety check at regular intervals.
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The NCT confirms that a vehicle satisfies basic safety standards on the day the test is carried out. It tests only what is accessible and visible. Therefore, it is not a warranty as to the condition of the vehicle.
The NCT is not meant to replace the regular maintenance that a mechanic needs to carry out on a vehicle.
Information about the National Car Test (NCT) certificate. Replacing a NCT certificate. Certificates when importing a car from an EU state. Odometer readings.
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Find your nearest NCT Centre
Visit the NCT website to find your nearest NCT centre or book your vehicle test.
Related pages
Road safety advice and guidance for car drivers, from car safety and maintenance to selling or buying a car and medical fitness.
FAQs on passenger cars, e-Call, safety features, buying used and imported cars, electric cars, clocked cars.