Council sets position on updated EU rules on inspections of vehicles and their registration 11:47 Transport ministers agree on the Council’s position on the roadworthiness[...]

Today, transport ministers set the Council's position on the roadworthiness package, which puts forward an update of EU standards with regards to periodic roadworthiness tests, technical roadside inspections and registration of vehicle data.

The package consists of two proposals focusing on the update of three directives: one on the periodic roadworthiness testing for motor vehicles, one on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles and one on registration documents for vehicles and one on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles.

Both proposals have the objective to further improve road safety in the EU by:

• ensuring the consistency, objectivity and quality of roadworthiness testing
• the deployment of new test methods for gaseous emissions namely nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particle number
• reducing tampering and improving the detection of defective vehicles, as well as tampered odometers
• improving the electronic storage and exchanging relevant vehicle identification and status data, to increase data availability and facilitate mutual recognition by enforcement authorities.

Council position

In the Council's position changes have been made to reflect concerns regarding additional costs for vehicle owners as well as taking into account that new test methods for nitrogen oxides (NOx) were not yet fully developed or not widely deployed.

Therefore, the main elements of the Council's position are:

• Technical inspections: In the Council position the scope of tests and minimum frequencies are maintained as currently is the case. This means that the proposed switch to annual instead of biannual testing after 10 years is not followed. The current exception to exclude motor bikes from the scope of tests is also maintained.
• Emission testing: The position doesn't include more frequent emission testing for vans but incorporates light-duty commercial vehicles to the roadside inspection system, which is currently focused on vehicles above 3,5 tonnes. A major step forward in the efficiency of regular emission testing is expected from the introduction of new emission measuring methods for NOx and particle number emissions, which can be supplemented by remote sensing of emissions in the wider road network.
• Temporary certificate issued in another member state than where the vehicle is registered: The Council follows the Commission's proposal of offering the possibility to drivers to get a temporary roadworthiness certificate in another member state than the member state where the vehicle is registered, while also expanding the scope to light commercial vehicles. This temporary certificate will allow further circulation for another 6 months. Next, drivers will need to ensure testing in the six months after the issuing of the temporary certificate in the member state of registration.

Next steps

Following today's approval of the Council position, the Council can start negotiations with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement, as soon as the latter adopts its final position.

Background

The roadworthiness package represents a comprehensive overhaul of the current EU rules on technical and emission testing of vehicles and their registration. The current framework, dating back to 2014, lays down EU rules on periodic technical inspections (PTI), roadside inspections (RSI) for commercial vehicles, and vehicle registration. Based on technological innovations and a growing presence of electrical vehicles, the Commission proposed the current update in April 2025.

• Proposal for a directive on the registration documents for vehicles and vehicle registration data recorded in national vehicle registers and repealing Council Directive 1999/37/EC - General approach
• Road transport (background information)
• Safer transport (background information)