It should be more difficult for a car to pass a periodic vehicle inspection. That's the opinion of the EU, which will now tighten the requirements throughout the union, at least.
New EU rules for vehicle inspections are set to significantly improve road safety, according to the government in Brussels. The proposal covers older cars, electric cars, emissions from diesel and petrol cars, plus a range of digital solutions.
The European Commission has presented a proposal for a comprehensive update of the EU's rules on road safety and vehicle inspections.
The new standards are intended to improve road safety and air quality. They also take into account the increasing number of electric cars on the roads.
The proposal comes because the Commission believes that the current standards are outdated. They can no longer keep up with the rapid development of automotive technology.
There is also growing concern about pollution and ongoing problems with road safety.
The new rules will cover periodic vehicle inspections. This also applies to vehicle registration and roadside inspections of commercial vehicles. Three directives will need to be updated to implement the changes.
The European Commission itself writes this on its website .
The Commission is proposing new periodic inspections for electric cars. New tests are also to be introduced for electronic safety systems in cars, such as advanced driver assistance systems.
In addition, advanced methods for emissions testing are being planned. They will help identify vehicles that pollute a lot. This will contribute to better air quality.
Stricter requirements for older cars and electric cars
A significant point in the proposal is the introduction of annual inspections. This will apply to passenger cars and vans that are older than ten years.
The Commission points out that older vehicles account for a disproportionately large share of harmful emissions.
Car owners will also have to pay for stricter mileage requirements for all cars. In this way, the EU will make mileage fraud legal.
The proposal will also make it easier to carry out periodic technical inspections of all cars, including for citizens temporarily residing in another EU country.
The Commission also wants to introduce digital vehicle registration certificates. This will become the new standard across the EU. This will simplify the processes surrounding car registration.
At the same time, cross-border data sharing must be simplified. This must be done by improving the electronic exchange of registration data between member states. This can help authorities cooperate better.
Digitalization and the fight against fraud
The proposed changes are expected to have a significant positive effect on road safety. The Commission assesses that the changes could make a big difference.
– It will prevent around 65,000 serious injuries and save around 7,000 lives over the next 25 years, says the Commission.
However, the implementation of the rules requires further consideration. The European Parliament and the Council must now assess the Commission's proposals. Only then can the final rules be adopted and enter into force.
While we wait for the final decision, the EU is already well underway in tightening the noose around drivers in other ways. Read more about it here .
