Some motorists now waiting until early next year for an NCT

The earliest available National Car Test (NCT) appointment in some parts of the country is now early next year.

The next free local NCT centre slots that motorists in counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Cavan, and Louth can book is January 2023.

Drogheda in Co Louth currently holds the longest wait time in Ireland for an NCT, with the next available online booking on 24th January, 2023.

This is according to a survey from the Irish Independent, which says that eight out of the 48 test centres in Ireland only have appointments available from next January.

The shortest wait time is in Waterford, while some appointments are available next week at the Tuam and Monaghan test centres.

Despite the soar in demand for an NCT, cancellations do become available on a daily basis in each centre.