A properly maintained and fully functioning vehicle meeting all safety requirements is less likely to be involved in a road accident.
Roadworthiness checks not only make sure your vehicle is working properly, they are also important for environmental reasons and for ensuring fair competition in the transport sector.
There are 2 types of assessment: on-the-spot roadside inspections and periodic checks, where owners have to take the vehicle to a specialist centre.
Periodic checks
EU law ensures that most vehicles and trailers are inspected at regular intervals. It provides a basis for checking that vehicles throughout the EU are in a roadworthy condition and meet the same safety standards as when they were first registered.
Roadside inspection
Under EU law, unannounced roadside inspections of commercial vehicles can be carried out in any EU country, whether or not the vehicle is registered in the EU.
These checks cover brakes, emissions and the vehicle's overall condition. Drivers may also be required to produce recent inspection reports or proof the vehicle has passed the mandatory roadworthiness test.
Roadworthiness Package
The European Commission is currently undertaking a review of the roadworthiness legislation currently in force, with a view to making a legislative proposal in 2023. This package of legislation covers periodic checks, roadside inspections and vehicle registration documentation.
Useful links
- Study on the inclusion of light trailers and two- or three-wheel vehicles in the scope of the periodic roadworthiness testing
- Study on the inclusion of eCall in the periodic roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2017-2018)
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2015-2016)
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2013-2014)
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2011-2012)
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2009-2010)
- Report on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2005-2006 and 2007-2008)
Legislation
- EU directive 2014/45 – periodic roadworthiness tests
- EU directive 2014/47 – technical roadside inspections for commercial vehicles
- EU directive 2014/46 – vehicle registration documents
- EU directive 1999/37 - registration documents for vehicles
- EU directive 2007/46 – approval of motor vehicles, trailers and vehicle components
- EU regulation 661/2009 – approval requirements for motor vehicle safety