Finally the new regulations have been made for the roadworthiness testing of historic vehicles. Our members vehicles over 40 years old will be exempt from the NCT. Vehicles between 30 and 40 years old will now be subject to biannual testing.

Vehicles first registered prior to 1 January 1980 which are being used solely for non-commercial purposes will no longer be required to undergo compulsory testing. This will move to a rolling 40 year exemption in 2020 with vehicles between 30 and 40 years of age (used solely for non-commercial purposes) being required to undergo compulsory roadworthiness testing biennially (ever second year) instead of annually.

This change also extends to historic commercial vehicles which up to now were subject to a DOE test annually.

The IVVCC have campaigned for this change since 2014 when the Club made a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport in March 2014. The IVVCC stated at the public sitting of the Committee that “It is the view of FIVA and of the IVVCC that historic goods vehicles should be treated no differently from other historic vehicles in respect of roadworthiness testing.”

Subsequent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting the RSA published a consultation document on roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles in October 2014. The purpose of the document was to put forward a number of options in relation to changing the existing 1980 fixed date for the testing of older motor vehicles.

However in July 2014 prior to the publication of the consultation document the IVVCC met with officials of the RSA at their Ballina head office in relation to their plans to formulate the consultation document. The RSA favoured a change to compulsory testing of all vehicles manufactured after 1960. Without the intervention of the Club the consultation document would have presented only two options i.e. maintaining the 1980 date or the 1960 date for testing. Against all odds we were please to see that the consultation paper included 4 options including a 30 year rolling provision and a 40 year rolling provision.

The consultation process which followed was enthusaically embraced by the IVVCC with the support of Tom Heavy from Irish Vintage Scene and also Martin Bourke and Myles O’Reilly. We attended many open meetings throughout the country seeking support for the IVVCC proposal for a rolling NCT testing date as distinct from the existing fixed 1980 date. We received overwhelming support from the old car movement throughout the country for this position and the result was that the RSA were overwhelmed by the submissions received. Never before had they received so many submissions for one of their consultation documents.

Following on from the completion of the consultation the IVVCC continued to pursue the Minister for Transport and Department officials with a view to obtaining the best possible outcome for our club members and affiliated club members. The outcome is a major victory for the historic vehicle movement in Ireland.

It is good day for all historic vehicle enthusiasts.