Drivers who were handed a partial NCT certificate before the lockdown will be prioritised when tests resume from tomorrow.

Fifteen centres around the country will reopen tomorrow – with drivers affected by the ‘vehicle lift’ issue at the end of January to be offered first choice for appointments.

More centres are expected to open on phased basis in the coming weeks.

Driving licence and driver theory test centres will also be reopening on a gradual basis in the coming weeks.

However, the Driver Testing Service is not returning – and the Minister for Transport has been unable to bring forward a timeline for when that may happen.

The Road Safety Authority said all services are only available by appointment, with no walk-ins allowed.

Spokesperson Brian Farrell said there is no need to rush in – as most licences and certifications were extended in late March.

“If you were due your NCT in June, it has now been pushed out by four months and if your licence was due to expire this month that has been pushed out by four months as well,” he said.

“So, the majority of people who would probably have needed to avail of these services don’t now need to do so.”

He said anyone who does need to book an appointment should check online to see if their local centre is reopening.

“I do stress as well that there are only 15 centres open from tomorrow at the NCT,” he said.

“More will be opening as the days and weeks go on but it is really important that you check your website to see what centres are open in your area – and of course the Government restrictions on travel as well.”

Cash payments will no longer be accepted at the centres and social distancing must be maintained among staff and customers.

In a statement last night, Transport Minister Shane Ross said there are “challenges to overcome” in terms of the return of driving tests – but insisted officials are “looking at all available options.”

“I appreciate that learner drivers will be anxious to know when driving tests will become available again,” he said. “There are challenges to overcome in order to re-open this service fully.”

“These challenges include maintaining social distancing as a car driving test means close contact in an enclosed space between the driver tester and the learner driver for periods in excess of 15 minutes.

He said officials were working to get test back up and running as soon as possible.