{"id":159602,"date":"2025-04-25T09:27:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T07:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=159602"},"modified":"2025-04-25T09:33:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T07:33:44","slug":"updated-rules-for-safer-roads-less-air-pollution-and-digital-vehicle-documents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/updated-rules-for-safer-roads-less-air-pollution-and-digital-vehicle-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"Updated rules for safer roads, less air pollution and digital vehicle documents"},"content":{"rendered":"

For better road safety and air quality across the EU, the Commission is proposing a\u00a0comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The new rules will take into account the growing presence of electric vehicles and adapt \u00a0\u00a0to emerging technologies.\u00a0They will introduce enhanced inspections, including\u00a0periodic technical inspections for electric vehicles\u00a0<\/strong>and advanced driver-assistance systems, annual inspections for older cars and vans, and advanced emission testing methods to detect high-emitting vehicles to reduce fine particles pollution. Additionally, the Commission proposes to introduce\u00a0digital vehicle registration and periodic testing certificates<\/strong>, simplify cross-border data sharing, and\u00a0protect citizens\u00a0<\/strong>against fraudulent activities such as\u00a0odometer tampering<\/strong>. Also, periodic technical inspections will be made easier for those temporarily residing in another EU country.<\/p>\n

The proposed changes reflect the EU’s commitment to safe and sustainable mobility while ensuring the free movement of people and goods. Between 2026 and 2050, it is estimated that these proposals will save around 7,000 lives and prevent around 65,000 serious injuries.<\/p>\n

For this purpose, the Commission is proposing to revise three directives: on periodic technical inspection (PTI) of vehicles, vehicle registration documents, and the roadside inspection (RSI) of commercial vehicles.<\/p>\n

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Challenges of unsafe and ageing vehicles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last April 24’s proposal targets unsafe vehicles, which contribute to crashes, fatalities and injuries. The current rules, last updated in 2014, must keep up with technological advances such as driver-assistance systems and the growing presence of electric vehicles on the roads. Additionally, highly polluting and noisy vehicles, although relatively few in number, are responsible for a disproportionate share of harmful emissions. The current rules do not sufficiently tackle air pollution and noise.<\/p>\n

The ageing vehicle fleet also increases the risk of odometer fraud (i.e. rolling back of odometers to make vehicles appear to have lower mileage than they do). Combatting this fraud requires updated rules. Outdated procedures and not using modern technology hinder enforcement and cross-border cooperation.<\/p>\n

Key elements of the new rules<\/strong><\/p>\n

Proposes measures include the following:<\/p>\n