Changes to roadworthiness tests from 2012

On 5 July 2010, the European Commission adopted a directive aimed at adapting the standards and methods applicable
to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and trailers. This directive amends Annex II of Directive 2009/40/EC which is
intended to harmonise vehicle and trailer roadworthiness tests across member states, laying down compulsory test items
to be included which they must implement by 31 December 2011. The directive also lays down mandatory information
which is required to be included on roadworthiness test certificates. This briefing note is aimed at providing members
with a summary of the changes which will affect the roadworthiness testing of vehicles and trailers ahead of the legislation
being implemented.

Background
The in-service roadworthiness (annual)
inspection carried out by the Vehicle and
Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is currently legislated through Directive 96/96/
EC. This establishes the testing requirements for member states including the
timescale for testing and what aspects of a
vehicle are to be tested

Content of Directive 2009/40/

EC as amended by Directive
2010/48/EU

bring forward the date for the first compulsory roadworthiness test and, where
appropriate, require the vehicle to be submitted for testing prior to registration

The new directive identifies the vehicle systems and components to be tested. It details
the method of testing them and the criteria
to be used when determining whether the
condition of the vehicle is acceptable.

shorten the interval between two successive compulsory tests

Directive 96/96/EC has been substantially amended several times, and since the
Commission proposed further amendments,
the decision was made to recast the directive in the form of 2009/40/EC for clarity

The directive mandates that the roadworthiness test must cover at least the following
items.

Since its entry into force, the Commission

has reviewed Directive 2009/40/EC and
decided that it should be further defined
and adapted to reflect technical progress,
in order to improve motor vehicle roadworthiness testing across member states.
This has resulted in the adoption of
Directive 2010/48/EU which amends
Annex II of Directive 2009/40/EC

1 Braking equipment
3 Visibility
parts

of

5 Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension

6 Chassis and chassis attachments
7 Other equipment

What will be the impact on

annual testing?
The directive presents new challenges which
will impact upon VOSAs testing and enforcement strategies and will introduce new items
into the statutory vehicle test. The statutory
test currently covers items relevant to the
design, construction and equipment of the
tested vehicle. The new directive will mean
a review of the additional safety, security
and environmental factors, introducing new
test items and new reasons for failure of the
annual test. In order to maintain a satisfactory level of road safety in Great Britain, the
Department for Transport (DfT) and VOSA
are reviewing the annual test to find the best
ways of meeting the directives requirements
whilst minimising the impact on the annual
test.

extend the periodic test requirement to

other categories of vehicles
set higher minimum standards for braking
efficiency than those specified in Annex II
of the directive for vehicles registered on
their own territory

2 Steering
and

increase the number of items to be tested

prescribe special additional tests

0 Identification of the vehicle

4 Lighting equipment
electric system

make the testing of optional equipment

compulsory

8 Nuisance (eg noise and exhaust emissions)

9 Supplementary tests for passenger carrying vehicles M2 and M3
For all test items, the directive includes a nonexhaustive list of the main reasons for failure
and requires the vehicle operator or driver to
be notified in writing of the defects; the result
of the test will be included into the roadworthiness certificate.

Scope
This directive concerns roadworthiness tests
for the vehicle and trailer types specified in
table 1 overleaf.
Notwithstanding the mandatory requirements of the directive, member states are
permitted to:

Exemptions
Exemptions exist which allow member states
to exclude from the scope of the directive vehicles belonging to the armed forces,
forces of law and order and the fire service.
Member states may also, after consulting with
the Commission, exclude from the scope of
the directive certain vehicles operated or
used in exceptional conditions and vehicles
which are never, or hardly ever, used on public
highways, including vehicles of historic interest
which were manufactured before 1 January
1960 or which are temporarily withdrawn
from circulation.
To ensure that the various categories of
exemption in GB law are compatible with this
directive, in December 2009 the Department
for Transport consulted on the proposed
removal of exemptions from GB annual testing for certain vehicle types. Details of this
consultation can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/
consultations/closed/mottestingexemptions

FTA Briefing Note

Changes to roadworthiness tests from 2012

Compulsory items to be tested

Table 1: Categories of vehicles and frequency of tests

Minimum frequency
of tests1

Categories of vehicle
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and with more than eight
seats, excluding the drivers seat
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3,500kg

One year after the date on

which the vehicle was first
used and thereafter annually

Trailers and semi-trailers with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3,500kg

Taxis, ambulances
Motor vehicles having at least four wheels, normally used for the road carriage of goods and with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3,500kg,
excluding agricultural tractors and machinery
Motor vehicles having at least four wheels, used for the carriage of passengers
and with not more than eight seats excluding the drivers seat

Date of entry into force

The changes and requirements of the directive
(with the exception of changes to the roadworthiness certificate) will come into force on

Four years after the date on

which the vehicle was first
used and thereafter every
two years

31 December 2011. The changes to harmonise

the roadworthiness certificate will apply from
31 December 2013.

Annex II of the directive identifies the vehicle systems and components to be tested, the method
of testing them and the criteria to be used when
determining whether the condition of the vehicle is acceptable. The inspection is required to
cover at least the items listed in Annex II provided they are related to the installed equipment of the vehicle being tested. Reasons for
failure do not apply in cases where they refer
to requirements which were not prescribed in
the relevant vehicle approval legislation at the
time of first registration, first entry into service
or retrofitting requirements.
The table below lists the changes and additional test items2 detailed in Annex II of the
directive that do not currently feature in GB
roadworthiness testing of hgvs and psvs. which
will be included in roadworthiness tests from
1 January 2012.

Table 2: Test items/reasons for failure/changes not subject to current GB roadworthiness tests applicable from 1 January 2012
Note: items listed in the table are applicable to the heavy goods vehicle/passenger carrying vehicle test.
Item
(Item number specified in directive)

Identification of the vehicle

0.1

Registration numberplates (if needed by

requirements)

Brakes

1.1.1
1.1.2

Method of inspection

Additional reason for failure

Visual inspection

Numberplate(s) missing or so insecure/fixed that it is (they

are) likely to fall off
Inscription missing or illegible
Not in accordance with vehicle documents or records

Service brake pedal/hand lever pivot

Visual inspection of the components while the

braking system is operated

Service brake pedal/hand lever pivot too tight

Pedal/hand lever condition and travel of

the brake operating device

Visual inspection of the components while the

braking system is operated

Brake control not releasing correctly

1.1.10 Brake servo units, master cylinder

(hydraulic systems)

Visual inspection of the components

Brake fluid warning light illuminated or defective

Insufficient brake fluid

1.1.15 Brake cables, rods, levers, linkages

Visual inspection of the component

Cable guide defective

1.1.16 Brake actuators (including spring brakes

or hydraulic cylinders)

Visual inspection of the component

Dust cover missing or excessively damaged to the extent that

leakage is likely

1.1.19 Endurance braking system (where fitted

or required)

Visual inspection of the device, its contacts and

Missing when known to be mandatory
components for security, clearance, signs of over- Inoperative, damaged, component missing or insecure
heating, condition of wiring and any material leaks Wiring insecure, or damaged

1.7

Electronic braking system (EBS)

Visual inspection of the component

Warning device illuminated indicating a malfunction

EBS lead missing where required

Steering

2.1.3

Steering linkage condition

With the vehicle over a pit or on a hoist and

with the road wheel on ground, rock steering
wheel clockwise and anti-clockwise or using
a specially adapted wheel play detector. Visual
inspection of steering components for wear,
fractures and security

Dust cover missing or excessively damaged to the extent that

lubricant leakage is likely

1 Minimum frequency of tests as stated in the directive. At the time of writing FTA understands that DfT has no intention of changing current testing frequencies, which for some vehicle categories are
more frequent than the minimum requirement stated in the directive.
2 The full list of compulsory test items (which includes items which are already inspected in GB roadworthiness testing) is contained within Annex II of Directive 2009/40/EC as amended by 2010/48/EU.

2 An FTA Briefing Note

Changes to roadworthiness tests from 2012

Item
(Item number specified in directive)

Method of inspection

Additional reason for failure

2.1.5

Power steering

Check steering system for leaks and hydraulic

fluid reservoir level (if visible). With the road
wheels on ground and with the engine running, check that the power steering system is
operating

Absence or hydraulic fluid level below minimum

2.6

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Visual inspection and consistency check between

the angle of the steering wheel and the angle of
the wheels when switching on/off the engine

EPS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates any failure in

the system

Lighting

4.7.1

Rear registration plate lamp condition

and operation

Visual inspection and by operation

Lamp showing a white light to the rear

4.8.1

Conspicuity (retro reflecting) markings

condition and compliance

Visual inspection

Not fitted where required

Reflecting equipment defective or damaged
Reflective equipment insecure

4.9.1

Main beam tell-tale condition and

operation

Visual inspection

Tell-tale inoperative

Suspension

5.3.4

Suspension joints

Visual inspection

Dust cover missing or excessively damaged to the extent that

lubricant leakage is likely

Chassis and chassis attachments

6.1.3

Fuel tank and pipes (including heating

fuel tank and pipes)

Visual inspection with vehicle over a pit or on

a hoist, use of leak detecting devices in case of
LPG/CNG systems (use of leak detection device
in cases to support failure of LNG)

Major leak of CNG/LPG/LNG

6.1.7

Transmission

Visual inspection

Dust cover missing or excessively damaged to the extent that

lubricant leakage is likely

6.2.5

Drivers seat

Visual inspection and by operation

Driver's seat unable to be adjusted in the for or aft direction

Other equipment

7.1.3

Safety belt load limiter

Visual inspection

Load limiter obviously missing

7.1.4

Safety belt pretensioner device

Visual inspection

Pre-tensioner obviously missing or not suitable with the

vehicle

7.1.5

Airbag

Visual inspection

Airbag(s) obviously missing

7.1.6

SRS systems

Visual inspection

SRS MIL indicates any kind of failure of the system

7.9

Tachograph (if fitted/required)

Visual inspection and comparison with tacho seal

Size of tyres not compatible with calibration parameters

7.12

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) if

fitted/required

Visual inspection

Components missing or damaged

Switch or wiring damaged or malfunctioning
ESC MIL indicates any kind of failure in the system

Visual inspection

Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer absent

or obviously defective

Nuisance

8.2.2.1 Exhaust emission control equipment

Other

Brake testing to maximum authorised mass

An FTA Briefing Note 3

Changes to roadworthiness tests from 2012

Passenger carrying vehicles
Annex II of the directive also specifies supplementary tests for passenger carrying vehicles of
categories M2 and M3. In the main these include
recommended items which are related to the
condition of the vehicle and its suitability for
use on the road but which are not considered
essential in a periodic test. Full details of these
items are listed in Annex II of the directive.

Roadworthiness certificates
Roadworthiness certificates issued in case of
mandatory periodic vehicle tests are required
to cover at least the following elements.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Registration plate number and country symbol of state of registration
Place and date of the test
Odometer reading at time of the test if
available
Vehicle class if available
Identified defects (it is recommended to follow the numerical order of paragraph 5 of the
Annex) and its category
Overall assessment of the vehicle
Date of next periodical test (if this information is not provided by other means)
Name of inspection organisation and signature or identification of the inspector responsible for the test
The directive requirements regarding harmonised roadworthiness certificates will apply
from 31 December 2013.

Commission recommendation
on the assessment of defects
during roadworthiness testing
The Commission has also published a recommendation paper stating that member states

should assess deficiencies and failures detected

during a roadworthiness test of motor vehicles
and trailers.

should not be used on the road under any

circumstances.

The recommendation states that inspectors

conducting vehicle testing should be provided
with guidelines in order to ensure a harmonised
assessment of the failures listed in Annex II of
the directive. To reflect the seriousness of failures, it recommends that three categories of failures should be introduced, with each category
of failure containing the conditions for the further use of the vehicle.

Roadside inspections

Guidelines for the assessment of

defects and definitions
The guidelines for assessing failures, including
technical defects and other non-compliances,
that are found during periodic testing of vehicles
are categorised in three groups.
Minor defects
Technical defects that have no significant effect
on the safety of the vehicle and other minor
non-compliances. The vehicle does not necessarily have to be re-examined as it can reasonably be expected that the detected defects will
be rectified without delay.
Major defects
Defects that may prejudice the safety of the
vehicle or put other road users at risk and other
more significant non-compliances. Further use
of the vehicle on the road without repair of the
detected defects is subject to conditions. The
competent authorities in the member states
must adopt a procedure for setting the conditions under which the vehicle may be used
before passing another roadworthiness test.
Dangerous defects
Defects that constitute a direct and immediate risk to road safety such that the vehicle

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To coincide with the adoption of the

roadworthiness testing directive, the Commission
have also adopted Directive 2010/47/EU which
amends Directive 2000/30/EC on the roadside
roadworthiness inspection of commercial vehicles. This amendment further defines improvements to roadside inspections in the European
Union, and in particular lays down the rules for
checking braking systems and exhaust emissions during roadside inspections. There are also
requirements on the information contained on
inspection reports. The Commission has also
published a recommendation paper (similar to
that detailed above for roadworthiness tests)
including a list of guidelines for assessing defects
that are found during roadside inspections of
commercial vehicles.The changes will apply from
1 January 2012.

Next steps
DfT and VOSA are now looking at the annual
test to find the best ways of meeting the
requirements of the directive, whilst minimising the impact on the annual test. FTA will be
engaging with DfT and VOSA and will inform
members of any developments and details of
how the requirements of the directive will be
transposed into GB legislation.

Further information
Full details of the relevant legislation and recommendations can be accessed at the following
web page of the Official Journal of the European
Union:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:20
10:173:SOM:EN:HTML

Telephone: 01892 526171

Fax: 01892 534989
Website: www.fta.co.uk
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