Government outlines its position on the European Commission’s Roadworthiness Package

On 28 May 2025, the Finnish Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament regarding the European Commission’s proposal for the so-called Roadworthiness Package. In principle, the Government supports the proposal’s aim to promote road safety and reduce the negative environmental impacts of transport.

The Roadworthiness Package includes proposed amendments to the Roadworthiness Directive and the Directive on technical roadside inspections, as well as a proposal for a new Directive on vehicle registration documents. The current Roadworthiness Package was adopted in 2014, and the legislation it contains requires updating, particularly in light of advances in vehicle technology.

The Commission’s proposal aims to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents, promote sustainable mobility, mitigate the environmental impacts of transport, and facilitate cross-border traffic and trade.

Motorcycle roadworthiness tests: the Government seeks to maintain the possibility of national derogation

As part of the Roadworthiness Directive, the Commission proposes mandatory periodic roadworthiness tests for motorcycles exceeding 125 cm³/11 kW. The requirement would not apply to mopeds or light motorcycles. Under the current legislation, Member States have had the option to derogate from motorcycle roadworthiness tests. The Commission’s proposal would retain national discretion in setting test intervals and content.

The proposal also introduces a requirement for Member States to accept periodic roadworthiness tests of passenger cars conducted in other Member States and to carry out tests of passenger cars registered in other Member States.

The Commission also proposes that vehicle odometer readings should be recorded in a national register not only during roadworthiness tests but also during servicing or repairs. Roadworthiness certificates would primarily be issued in digital form only. Changes are also proposed to the inspections and emissions tests included in roadworthiness tests.

The Government considers that Finland should retain the right to derogate from the requirement for motorcycle roadworthiness tests in the future. This would be particularly appropriate in countries where technical defects in motorcycles do not lead to traffic fatalities, and where the driving season is significantly shorter than the EU average. If such national derogation is impossible, Finland will seek to ensure the greatest possible flexibility in determining test intervals and content.

“Finland has actively engaged in early advocacy to ensure that motorcycle roadworthiness tests remain voluntary in the future. The safety of motorcyclists is important to us, and we know that they take good care of their vehicles. Fatal accidents are usually caused by errors by motorcyclists or other drivers – not poorly maintained bikes,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

Government critical of national targets for roadside inspections

Under the proposed amendments to the Directive on technical roadside inspections, Member States would be required to introduce remote sensing for noise and emissions for all vehicles. Each country would be obligated to inspect 30% of its registered vehicles annually. 

Vans would be added to the scope of roadside technical inspections alongside heavy-duty vehicles. Member States would be required to inspect 5% of all heavy-duty vehicles and 2% of vans registered in their territory annually. This would increase the inspection targets for the police in Finland.

The Government considers it important that Member States test and adopt good practices to enhance roadside checks but is critical of the proposed mandatory national targets for roadside inspections. Instead of focusing on numerical targets, the goal could be to assess the effectiveness of measures in improving road safety.

Broader scope of the Directive on vehicle registration documents

The scope of the Directive on vehicle registration documents would be expanded and specified so that it would cover not only the format and content of registration certificates but also mandatory and voluntary data stored in national vehicle registers and information exchange between Member States.

The Commission proposes that vehicle registration certificates should be issued in digital form, with a physical certificate provided only on request. The Directive would also define new mandatory data that must be recorded in national vehicle registers.

The Government emphasises that the protection of personal data must be ensured in the international exchange of vehicle-related information.

What’s next?

The Roadworthiness Package will be discussed at the EU Transport Council on 5 June 2025.

The Commission’s proposal will continue to be reviewed in the Council working group throughout the remainder of the year.

Inquiries:

Esa Aaltonen, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 107, esa.aaltonen@gov.fi
Jenni Rantio, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 205, jenni.rantio@gov.fi