The Parliament called for updated rules on vehicle checks that improve road safety to extend regular inspections to motorbikes and to some trailers and caravans, making roadside checks on commercial vehicles more efficient and risk-based and streamlining the rules on vehicle documents.

MEPs voted for mandatory checks on motorcycles in all member states from 2016 and on mopeds from 2018, unless a Commission study finds that testing of mopeds would be ineffective.

They also voted to extend mandatory checks to trailers weighing over two tonnes and to caravan trailers over 750 kg and backed existing standards for trailers over 3,5 tonnes. Parliament wants to keep the current minimum requirement for initial roadworthiness checks for cars at four years, followed by tests every two years thereafter.

To improve the efficiency of roadside inspections of commercial vehicles, a risk-rating system must be put in place, say MEPs. Operators would be classified according to how their vehicles perform in inspections, and higher-risk vehicles could be targeted for roadside inspections by member state authorities, they say. “Roadside checks vary widely across different member states, this is why we need harmonised EU rules,” said Olga Sehnalová, rapporteur for roadside inspections of commercial vehicles. MEPs also included light commercial vehicles in the scope of roadside checks.

Vehicle documents should be kept in national electronic registers, according to MEPs. This would facilitate the exchange of information between member states and thus help combat the illegal trading of stolen vehicles.

Parliament definitely agrees with the Commission that the two directives on technical checks on vehicles should be converted into regulations, which are directly applicable in the member states. Member states are free to set stricter standards.

Henry BORZI