The Commission adopted the report by Mr Spalato BELLERE (It, NI) on the
Commission proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the
laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor
vehicles. This proposal also seeks to include the control of speed
limitation divices on certain categories of heavy good vehicles among the
roadworthiness controls prescribed by EU laws. It replaces a 20 year old
Directive and all subsequent amendments in one tests. The rapporteur
welcomes the Commission's proposal which considerably will improve the
safety of road transport. The Committee slightly amended the proposal. The
rapporteur saw his amendments adopted asking for stricter controls of light
commercial good vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. These vehicles should in future
be tested within 3 years of the date the vehicle was first used, and
thereafter every year. Given the limited capacity of testing centres, the
Commission had proposed 4 and 2 years. Roadworthiness tests in all 15
Member States must be carried out by public authorities. Vehicle testing
centres may be operated by private bodies, as already is the case in some
states, but the independence and quality of the testing shall be ensured by
Member State bodies or establishments. Monitoring of test centres may be
carried out by means of spot checks.