Before the regulation can come into effect, it must receive approval from both the European Parliament and the member states of the European Union.
EU Cites Road Safety as Key Motivation
According to the European Commission, the initiative is aimed at improving road safety across the EU by reducing the number of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The Commission expects that the introduction of yearly technical inspections for older vehicles could lead to a one percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries on Europe’s roads.
In its justification for the proposal, the Commission noted that older vehicles are statistically more prone to technical defects. Studies have shown that these vehicles are disproportionately involved in traffic accidents and tend to emit higher levels of pollutants. The Brussels authority emphasized in a statement: „Since passenger cars are involved in the majority of fatal traffic accidents, and even though technical defects account for only a small proportion of accident causes, annual inspections of older vehicles could have a noticeable impact—particularly when it comes to road safety.“
Germany Currently Requires Biannual Testing
At present, Germany mandates a general vehicle inspection every two years, regardless of the car’s age. The only exception applies to brand-new vehicles, which are not required to undergo their first inspection until 36 months after registration. Drivers who fail to comply with inspection deadlines face fines during routine traffic checks. In contrast, several other EU countries already require annual inspections for vehicles once they reach a certain age.
The final decision on the introduction of mandatory yearly inspections now rests with European legislators. If adopted, the proposal would bring more uniformity to vehicle safety regulations across the Union and could mark a significant shift in how aging cars are regulated in the EU.
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