The proposal on roadworthiness testing aims to improve road safety and ensure high levels of environmental protection. It is based on the principle of setting common EU-wide minimum standards for vehicle checks, with member states free to go further and introduce higher standards.
The main elements of the proposal are:
1. Compulsory EU-wide testing for scooters and motorbikes – the highest-risk group of road users. Light trailers (under 3.5 tons) would also be tested. These categories of vehicles are currently excluded from the EU-based system and testing remains at the discretion of each individual member state.
2. Increasing the frequency of roadworthiness tests for some categories of vehicles. Cars and vans (up to 3.5 tons) older than six years are currently checked a minimum of once every two years. It is proposed that they are checked at least annually after six years. This means changing to checks at four years after purchase, then two years and then once a year after that (4-2-1) instead of the current 4-2-2. The 4-2-1 formula is also proposed for scooters and motorbikes. It is also proposed that the frequency of tests for cars and vans with high mileage (over 160,000 km) is also increased – if they have reached a mileage of more than 160,000 km at the date of the first inspection (after four years) they would then be inspected annually (4-1-1 instead of the existing 4-2-2). This would bring their tests in line with other high-mileage vehicles such as taxis and ambulances.
3. A minimum level of skills and training requirements for inspectors.
4. Improving the quality of vehicle tests by setting common minimum standards for deficiencies and equipment.
5. Clamping down on mileage fraud, with registered mileage readings.
6. Making electronic safety components subject to mandatory testing.