Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

EU transport ministers today in Brussels finalized the Council's position on the roadworthiness package, which updates EU standards for periodic roadworthiness tests, roadside technical inspections, and vehicle data registration. The Danish Presidency of the EU, represented by Danish Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen, stated, "I am pleased that we have reached a positive outcome and that we now have a common approach to both proposals in the package. With this agreement, we ensure that the rules for roadworthiness tests, periodic inspections, and vehicle data registration are updated, while reducing administrative burdens." According to a European statement, the package consists of two proposals focused on updating three directives: the first concerns periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles, the second concerns roadworthiness tests for commercial vehicles, and the third concerns vehicle registration documents.

Both proposals aim to enhance road safety in the European Union by:

Ensuring the consistency, objectivity, and quality of roadworthiness tests.

Implementing new testing methods for gaseous emissions, specifically nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.

Reducing tampering and improving the detection of defective vehicles, as well as tampered odometers.

Improving the electronic storage and exchange of vehicle identification and relevant condition data to increase data availability and facilitate mutual recognition by law enforcement authorities.
Regarding the position of the Council of Ministers, which represents the Member States, the statement said, "Changes have been made to the Council's position reflecting concerns about the additional costs borne by vehicle owners, taking into account that the new testing methods for nitrogen oxides (NOx) have not yet been fully developed or widely disseminated." Therefore, the key elements of the Council's position are:

Technical inspections: The Council considers that the scope of tests and minimum frequencies should be maintained as they are currently. This means that the proposed transition to annual tests instead of semi-annual tests after 10 years has not been followed. The existing exception excluding motorcycles from the scope of tests has also been retained.

Emissions testing: This does not include more frequent emissions tests for trucks, but rather the integration of light commercial vehicles into the road testing system, which currently focuses on vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes. Significant progress in the efficiency of regular emissions testing is expected through the introduction of new methods for measuring nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, which could be complemented by remote sensing of emissions across the wider road network.

Issuance of a provisional roadworthiness certificate in a Member State other than the one in which the vehicle is registered: The Council follows the Commission's proposal to allow drivers to obtain a provisional roadworthiness certificate in a Member State other than the one in which the vehicle is registered, extending this to light commercial vehicles. This provisional certificate would allow for circulation for an additional six months. Drivers will then need to ensure the test is carried out within six months of the provisional certificate being issued in the country where the vehicle is registered. Next steps:

Following the Council's approval of its position today, the Council can now begin negotiations with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement, once the Parliament adopts its final position.

The Roadworthiness Package represents a comprehensive review of the EU's current rules on technical inspections, vehicle emissions testing, and registration. The current framework, dating from 2014, establishes EU rules for periodic technical inspections (PTIs), roadside inspections (RSIs) for commercial vehicles, and vehicle registration. Based on technological innovations and the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, the Commission proposed the current update in April 2025.