EU Lawmakers Advance Roadworthiness Package
Rapporteur Jens Gieseke reported good progress on the roadworthiness package to the European Parliament's transport committee.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Car Maintenance
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Rapporteur Jens Gieseke reported good progress on the roadworthiness package to the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Negotiators closed all 'yellow lines' concerning cargo securing on lorries.
Why it matters
The package sets vehicle inspection rules across the bloc, and closing the cargo-securing issues removes one of the main points of disagreement between the co-legislators. Unresolved political questions remain on the Roadside Safety Inspection Directive for commercial vehicles.
The next trilogue negotiation is scheduled for Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7 pm, after the 4 November committee report. Technical work on the Periodic Technical Inspection Directive continues on roadworthiness certificates and language requirements.
The players
Jens Gieseke
Jens Gieseke is the rapporteur leading the European Parliament's work on the roadworthiness package and reported progress to the transport committee.
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, co-legislating on vehicle inspection rules with the Council.
The details
Progress came through interinstitutional trilogue negotiations between Parliament and the Council. Parliament's priorities in the Roadside Safety Inspection Directive include testing frequencies for heavier zero-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, keeping motorcycles within mandatory testing, and inspecting structural integrity after an accident.
Timeline
Wednesday 4 November 2026: Rapporteur reports progress to the Transport and Tourism Committee.
Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7 pm: Next trilogue negotiation scheduled.
Roadmap
The roadworthiness package extends the EU's Periodic Technical Inspection Directive into roadside checks on commercial vehicles and heavier zero-emission cars. Its progress follows a pattern of harmonising vehicle safety testing across member states through successive directives.
Drivers of heavier zero-emission cars and light commercial vehicles could face new testing frequencies under the proposed rules. Motorcycles may stay within mandatory testing, and vehicles inspected after an accident could face structural-integrity checks.
The takeaway
Vehicle owners should expect inspection requirements to tighten as the roadworthiness package moves toward agreement. Checking when your next periodic inspection is due helps avoid surprises as the rules change.
What happens next
The next trilogue negotiation is scheduled for Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7 pm, when the remaining Roadside Safety Inspection Directive issues are expected to be taken up.
Further reading
Explore more on Car Maintenance to see how vehicle inspection rules affect routine upkeep.
Live Poll
Should motorcycles stay under mandatory roadworthiness testing in the EU?
