Dutch MOT (APK) inspection soon possible in other European countries

2019/03/26

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26-03-2019 AMSTERDAM - The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is preparing for an amendment of the law on the Dutch MOT inspection. They are looking at the opportunities for having inspections carried out in other EU countries. Currently, owners of Dutch registered vehicles must return to the Netherlands every year for their annual inspection. The amendment of the law is a major step for the transport sector. Not only does it save a lot of costs, it also reduces traffic jams and CO2 emissions. Together with various other parties, the European Transport Board has provided support to the Ministry for the amendment of this law.

Amendment of the law

Mrs. van Nieuwenhuizen, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management has indicated that she is investigating the implementation of the MOT inspections of Dutch registered vehicles in other EU countries. This will not only apply this to cars, but also to light and heavy vehicles such as trucks and trailers. Currently, owners of Dutch registered vehicles must return to the Netherlands every year for their inspection. Each year it concerns approximately 1,200 to 1,600 vehicles.

For a few years now, Dutch MOT inspections have been extensively tested in a number of Spanish inspection stations. This test ended in October 2018. As a result, the minister would like to reach an agreement with other EU member states on mutual recognition of inspection reports for vehicles registered in the Netherlands.

Over the last few years the TLN and TRTA parties, RAI Association, RDW (Dutch Vehicle Authority), TIP Trailer Services and the European Transport Board were closely involved in the amendment of the law. In recent months, they have supported the Ministry of Infrastructure in investigating the possibilities of amending the law. They have investigated what is needed to support spot checks, physically and remotely through technology. They have now submitted a first proposal.

Big step for transport sector

The amendment of the law is big news for the transport sector. Different transport companies are pleased with this direction. Flemming Steiness, General Manager Equipment at DSV and member of the European Transport Board, explains: "Global warming and other global climate issues are escalating, the transport sector is part of this problem. We should also be part of the solution." Steiness adds: "The opportunity to bring our Dutch trucks and trailers in for annual MOT in other EU countries, will significantly increase flexibility and reduce the empty mileage. Besides the obvious reduction of carbon pollution, more benefits will come with it, such as less empty mileage, resulting in fewer trucks on the roads and therefore less congestion.”

Rupert Trawöger from Trawöger transport in Austria and a member of the European Transport Board emphasizes that the change in law will bring many benefits to his company: “If this long fulfilling wish becomes reality, we could save ourselves a lot of effort. We could deploy our vehicles where we need them and prevent time-consuming and costly actions to get vehicles empty to the Netherlands for annual inspection."

Rogier Laan, Benelux General Manager at TIP Trailer Services, adds. "This is a major step forward in the transport sector. As a member of the European Transport Board, a group of leading European transport and logistics providers, we represent a significant part of the industry. We focus on key issues in our sector like the environment, congestion from road transport and the effectiveness and efficiency of the industry. We are taking major steps in this direction with the amendment of the law."

Process

The process of amending the law has now been set in motion. The new law is expected to be completed around mid-2020.

The European Transport Board consists of decision makers from the most significant European transportation & logistics companies who, together, control over 300,000 units in road transport.

They meet twice a year to discuss various transport related topics and try to combine their efforts to suggest value adding solutions to relevant stakeholders. More information can be found on http://www.europeantransportboard.com