Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Ciaran White:
I am a provisional license driver and applied for my driving test last January for a car and a motorbike. I was getting a bit impatient as to when I'd be informed to the dates of my tests, so I rang the Department of the Environment.
I was told that there is a 47-week wait for my test - 11 months! I then asked if there is a shorter wait for the motorbike test. To my surprise the reply was that both test dates come out of the box together if they were applied for together.
The box! Surely the government are using a computerised system for allocating the test days? Are we the only country with this backlog and if so why?
The best advice in situations like this is to apply on separate forms. When you apply, your data is inputted into a computer system and a confirmation letter would have been sent out to you. No one knows about this "box" system.
There is also the fact that the driving test centre comes under the control of the Department of Transport and not Environment, so the person there should have referred you to the correct department.
As for the delay, while you might think there would be a shorter wait for a bike test, it seems the delay is about the same for both tests, with even fewer testers for motorbike exams than there are for cars.
From Ned O'Brien:
I own a small van that I bought privately and for which I never sought any VRT rebate. We also have a car and only use the van for short local runs.
The new rules planned for light commercial vehicles and revealed in Motors (October 1st) says the Government is planning to make it compulsory for vans to do an NCT-style commercial vehicle test after one year and every year after that. Is this going to be the case even for people like myself?
No. According to spokesperson from the Department of Transport, if your van is taxed as a private motor vehicle then it is exempt from the commercial vehicle tests and will only have to go through the regular NCT when it comes up.
From Philip Daly:
I have an ageing VW Passat (1996 1.8-litre) and my wife and children want a new car. However, I probably will not get more than €2,000 for it. But I would be more than a little annoyed if I let it go for less than €1,000, only to see Mr McCreevy re-introduce the scrappage scheme in the next budget.
Should I wait until after the budget, or buy now? Friends keep telling me to look at the used market but I like getting a new car and keeping it for longer than constantly changing between used cars.
First to the question of a new scrappage scheme. Given the current economic climate, and overworked nautical references by the Minister for Finance keen to point to storm clouds ahead, the chances of a new scrappage deal are slim at best.
This is despite the fact a new scheme could actually benefit the Government coffers to the tune of €35 million, according to Goodbody Economic Consultants, which estimate a 4.3 per cent increase in sales on the back of such a scheme, and thereby generating more tax revenue in the form of VRT.
In any event, the refund or discount will be €1,500 at most, and you may be able to get €2,500 for your current model if it is in good condition, though probably less for a trade-in.
As for buying now, car prices are continuing to rise (6.1 per cent in the year to August) so leaving it any longer will not necessarily be to your benefit.
There may also be further rises due to new EU rules. There is also the possibility that far from helping you out, the Minister may in fact increase your financial pain by lowering the band for the top rate of VRT to include cars over 1,801 cc. At the last budget he lowered the 30 per cent band from 2,001cc to 1,901cc, much to the chagrin of the motor industry. A similar move could bring in some much-needed revenue and may be too tempting for him to let pass.
Finally, I would not be so quick to dismiss the used car market. There are several low mileage ex-rental cars on the market, which represent good buys at present.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie