The European Transport Ministers approved their negotiating position (‘general approach’) on the ‘roadworthiness’ package on Thursday 4 December.
This package includes the directives on periodic roadworthiness tests and technical roadside inspections, as well as the directive on vehicle registration documents (see EUROPE 13762/4).
With regard to roadworthiness, the EU Council has maintained the current scope and minimum frequency of inspections. The current exception, which excludes motorbikes from the scope of the inspections, is also being maintained. The position does not provide for more frequent inspections on vans, but does include light commercial vehicles in the roadside inspection system, which currently covers vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
The introduction of new methods for measuring NOx and particulate emissions, which can be supplemented by remote sensing of emissions over the entire road network, should considerably improve the effectiveness of regular emissions checks.
The EU Council supports the Commission’s proposal to offer drivers the possibility of obtaining a temporary roadworthiness certificate in a Member State other than the one in which the vehicle is registered, while extending the scope to include light commercial vehicles. This temporary certificate will allow you to continue driving for a further six months. Secondly, drivers will have to ensure that they have their vehicle inspected within six months of the issue of the temporary certificate in the Member State of registration.
Some Member States regretted the lack of ambition in the text. While Austria was hoping that nitrogen oxide measurements would be compulsory, others would have liked to follow the European Commission’s initial proposal to make annual roadworthiness tests compulsory for vehicles over 10 years old. Belgium, Ireland, Croatia and Bulgaria in particular supported this position.
“We will continue to require annual inspections for light commercial vehicles, vehicles over 10 years old, most motorbikes, opportunities to check odometers and also remote sensor technologies to identify high-emission vehicles on our roads”, said Seán Canney, the Irish Minister.
Negotiations with the European Parliament can begin once it too has defined its position.
Read the general approach: https://aeur.eu/f/jr7; https://aeur.eu/f/jr6; and the appendices: https://aeur.eu/f/jr8 (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)