The “Ghost” Calendar: Why Limerick Drivers Are Fuming

If you live in Limerick City or Abbeyfeale, you are likely part of the “invisible” queue. While the Road Safety Authority (RSA) officially claims the average national wait time is just over two weeks, the reality on the ground in the Treaty County is starkly different. Drivers logging onto the Applus+ portal this morning are being met with a sea of grey dates stretching well into the summer of 2026.

This disconnect between official statistics and the user experience is causing massive frustration. The “18-day average” includes last-minute cancellations that vanish in seconds—slots that manual refreshers simply cannot catch. For the average motorist in Eastway Business Park, the next guaranteed appointment is often 4 to 5 months away.

NCT Limerick Wait Times: The Real Picture (2026)

We have analysed the booking data for Limerick and its neighbouring centres to give you the real timeline. If you are waiting for a letter, you are already too late.

Test Centre	Real Wait Time	Status
Limerick (Eastway)	20-24 Weeks	Critical
Abbeyfeale	12-14 Weeks	High Demand
Charleville (Cork)	14-16 Weeks	High Demand
Ennis (Clare)	10-12 Weeks	Moderate

How much is the NCT re-test fee in 2026?

In 2026, the cost of failing your test has effectively doubled due to the time penalty. Financially, a visual re-test is free, but a lane re-test (requiring equipment like brake testers) costs €40.00. If you miss your 21-day re-test window—which is common given the backlog in Limerick—you must pay the full €60.00 fee for a completely new test.

The “Limbo” Trap: Insurance & Penalty Points

A new report highlights that hundreds of motorists are currently in “insurance limbo.” While many providers claim to be flexible, the fine print often requires your car to be “roadworthy.” If you are involved in a collision in Raheen or Castletroy while on the waiting list, and your car has a defect that would have failed an NCT (like bald tyres or faulty brakes), your insurer may refuse your claim.

Furthermore, the Gardaí in Limerick are increasing checkpoints on the N18 and M7. A “booking confirmation” is not a get-out-of-jail-free card if your vehicle is clearly defective. You risk 3 penalty points and a court appearance.

Solution: How to Beat the Eastway Queue

You have two options: drive to Ennis or Nenagh (if you can find a slot), or use technology to force the system to work for you.

Our NCT appointment bot monitors the Eastway and Abbeyfeale centres 24 hours a day. We see the NCT cancellation slots that appear when a neighbour cancels their test. These slots are often for tomorrow or this weekend.

Don’t gamble with your Licence or your insurance. Check our locations list and secure your Certificate of Roadworthiness before the Gardai spot your expired disc.