Drivers of older cars in the Dublin area who cannot have their cars taxed because of the dispute at the National Car Test centres could be liable to £50 on-the-spot fines.
At present the only drivers affected are those whose road tax ran out last month and who failed to have their vehicle tested. However, the dispute is set to escalate next week and a considerable backlog has already built up because of limited industrial action by Dublin-based testers.
Only half of testing staff at NCT's Northpoint centre in Ballymun are working, there are none working at Dean's Grange and only a small number working at the Fonthill centre in Clondalkin.