Significant issues have arisen with lifts that are part of the NCT process at a number of centres around the country.
The NCT says a timescale to resolve safety issues with its lifts will only be known after a full audit takes place.
That's being done at 47 of its test centres across the country after an initial check yesterday found cracks in one of its lifts.
As a result, motorists will require two visits to an NCT centre to complete an NCT test on their vehicle.
The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use.
Motorists will incur no additional fees as part of this process.
The NCT is urging drivers to book and turn up for tests as normal, and it says a final underbody check will take place free of charge at a later date once the lift issue is resolved.
General Manager of the NCT, Grant Henderson, says the lift manufacturer will have to come up with a solution:
"At this stage we can only estimate what the rectification time is once the condition surveys have been completed. The manufacturer of the lifts will have to be given a reasonable amount of time to come up with a sustainable fix and that's the short-term fix."
