Brussels, 18/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 18 December, the Lithuanian Presidency announced that the package on technical controls had been informally endorsed by an inter-institutional agreement. The Lithuanian minister for transport, Rimantas Sinkevicius, pointed out that the revision of the three legislative proposals aimed to improve safety on European roads. The Commission's goals in the agreement were watered down and powerful motorcycles will only be subject to periodic roadworthiness tests from 2022. The proposal also contains the provision on mutual recognition whereby in cases of a re-registration of a vehicle from other member state, member states have to recognize a valid roadworthiness certificate issued by their peers. The total number of initial roadside inspections in the EU shall correspond to at least 5% of the total number of commercial vehicles registered in the member states. Overall, a risk-based approach will be promoted to reduce administrative red tape and avoid vehicles being stopped too frequently when carrying out roadside inspections. Finally, the rules have been simplified to ensure vehicles without valid documentation that prove their technical compliance are prevented from being driven. The EP's transport committee is expected to confirm this agreement in January. (MD/transl.fl)