EU Press Release

Don't look like they'll affect us much - our standards are already higher than most of the rest of Europe so they'll be upgrading to our standard....

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Impact of proposals on the UK

- Minimal cost implications for the UK.

- There will be no changes for private UK motorists in the frequency and testing of cars, motorbikes and scooters, as the UK already operates a higher frequency of testing than that outlined in the proposal. The current UK test period for cars and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes is 3-1-1 (ie first test after 3 years, next test after 1 and annually thereafter. Proposed EU minimum is 4-2-1.

- Historic vehicle owners will benefit from the proposed revised definition, 30 years of age. From November 2012, the UK intends to only exempt vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1960, ie 52 years old.

- Farm vehicles up to a designed speed of 40 km/h are out of scope of the proposed measures, however high speed tractors will be included.

- Database requirements will not affect the UK as all test centres are already connected to the central database operated by the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA) and vehicle registrations are already kept in a central database operated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). A Europe-wide interconnection of national databases is subject to phase two after an impact assessment.

- Reassurance for UK motorists that vehicles from elsewhere in the EU driving on UK roads have undergone stringent and regular roadworthiness tests. Also, motorists travelling on EU roads would be at less risk from road accidents caused by unroadworthy cars.