The European Commission’s proposal for the revision of the Roadworthiness Package is a timely and necessary step to modernise outdated EU rules. It strikes a positive balance between enhancing road safety and embracing digital solutions, while avoiding unnecessary burdens for commercial road transport operators.
The European Commission has tabled its Roadworthiness Package, aiming to modernise EU legislation on periodic roadworthiness testing and technical roadside checks as well as vehicle registration documents.
Last revised over ten years ago, the current framework no longer reflects the technological evolution of commercial vehicles, which are now equipped with advanced safety systems and cleaner technologies. The new proposals aim to modernise the legislation without creating unnecessary obligations or costs for operators.
The revised rules introduce regular checks for electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems, annual inspections for older vehicles, and enhanced emission testing to help reduce fine particle pollution. Digitalisation features prominently, with proposals for electronic vehicle registration and inspection certificates, cross-border data exchange, and stronger safeguards against fraud, such as odometer tampering.
IRU EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian said, “This long-overdue update is essential to reflect how far commercial vehicles have come. Smarter, digitalised and updated rules will boost safety and reduce unnecessary burdens on operators.”
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of uninterrupted and efficient inspection systems. Temporary test centre closures brought much of the EU’s commercial road transport to a halt, underlining the need for resilient and harmonised procedures, including mutual recognition of key documents, across Member States.
IRU also welcomes the Commission’s strong push for digitalisation. Shifting from paper-based to electronic documentation, building on the Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation, can simplify compliance and reduce administrative burdens for both operators and authorities.
IRU will now assess the full scope of the proposal and remains committed to engaging with EU policymakers to ensure the final package delivers a workable, future-ready framework that supports safe and efficient commercial road transport across Europe.