Directive 2014/45 - Periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers - Main contents

Summary of Legislation
Legislative text

1. Summary of Legislation

Testing to ensure the safety of vehicles and trailers

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It aims to improve road safety by setting minimum requirements for periodic roadworthiness tests of vehicles and trailers in the EU.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The law applies to vehicles capable of more than 25 km/hour in the following categories:

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passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (categories M₁ and N₁): to be tested 4 years after the date when first registered, and thereafter every 2 years;
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vehicles in category M₁ used as taxis or ambulances, buses or minibuses (M₂, M₃), heavy goods vehicles (N₂, N₃) and heavy trailers (O₃, O₄): to be tested 1 year after first registration, and thereafter yearly;
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fast tractors with a design speed above 40km/h (T₅) and used commercially: to be tested 4 years after registration, and thereafter every 2 years.

Powerful motorcycles

Category L vehicles with an engine larger than 125 cm³will be tested from 2022 unless road safety statistics for the previous 5 years show that the same level of road safety could be achieved by alternative measures.

Roadworthiness tests prior to the due dates

In certain circumstances, vehicles may be required to undergo a test before the due dates:

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after an accident;
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where the holder of the registration certificate has changed;
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on reaching 160 000 km;
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in cases where road safety is seriously affected.

Exemptions

The following types of vehicle are exempted from roadworthiness tests:

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vehicles of historic interest,
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diplomatic vehicles,
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vehicles used by the armed forces, police, customs, fire services or for agricultural and forestry purposes only, as well as
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vehicles used exclusively on small islands.

Approved testing centres

Each EU country must have approved and compliant testing centres, while inspectors must meet competence criteria and be free from any conflict of interest.

Assessment of defects

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Defects are classified as minor, major or dangerous, with minor defects insufficient to fail vehicles.
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Where defects are dangerous, the use of the vehicle on public roads may be suspended until the fault is rectified.

Roadworthiness certificate

Where a vehicle already registered in another EU country is re-registered, its certificate must be recognised by other EU countries, even where ownership has changed. By 2021, testing centres will be required to share relevant information with the competent authority of their country.

European electronic vehicle information platform

The feasibility, costs and benefits of setting up a European electronic vehicle information platform are to be examined.

Fraud

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To detect odometer fraud, data from the preceding test is to be made available to the inspectors.
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Misrepresenting the distance a vehicle has covered is a punishable offence.

COVID-19 pandemic

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Regulation (EU) 2020/698 lays down specific and temporary measures in view of the COVID‐19 outbreak concerning the renewal or extension of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation.
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The regulation extends the time limits provided for in Directive 2014/45/EU with regard to:
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  roadworthiness tests which should have been be carried out between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 by a period of 7 months;
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  roadworthiness certificates, which should have been be carried out between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 by a period of 7 months;
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  where an EU country considers that the carrying out of roadworthiness tests or the certification thereof is likely to remain impracticable beyond 31 August 2020, due to the COVID-19-related measures that it has taken, it may submit a reasoned request to the European Commission by 1 August 2020 for an authorisation to extend the periods.That request may concern the period between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 or the period of seven months, or both.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

The directive had to become law in the EU countries by 20 May 2017. EU countries have to apply the rules as of 20 May 2018.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

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Road safety (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and repealing Directive 2009/40/EC (OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, pp. 51-128)

Successive amendments to Directive 2014/45/EU have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Contents

1.

Summary of Legislation

2.

Legislative text