WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1293/98 by Edward McMILLAN-SCOTT to the Commission. Lack of mutual recognition between Member States of vehicle MOT tests
Date: 1998-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, MCMILLAN-SCOTT
Subjects: approximation of laws, free movement of persons, motor vehicle, mutual recognition principle, roadworthiness tests, vehicle registration

C 402/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.12.98

These consolidation efforts should be made in a socially balanced way without impinging on the quality of
government services but through increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of government spending and
favouring productive activities such as infrastructure investment, human capital improvement and active labour
market policies.

However, within these general principles and the requirements of policy co-ordination as expressed in the
Amsterdam Treaty, the responsibility of taking the precise budgetary measures corresponding to these policies
belongs entirely to Member States according to their specific budgetary procedures, in line with the subsidiarity
principle.

(98/C 402/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1293/98

by Edward McMillan-Scott (PPE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Lack of mutual recognition between Member States of vehicle MOT tests

Currently a vehicle can only be MOT-tested in the Member State in which it is registered. Given the obstacle this
represents to the free movement of people:

1. Does the Commission intend to propose the standardization and mutual recognition of MOT tests?

2. What factors determine the Commission(cid:146)s position on this subject?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Council Directive 96/96/EEC (1) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to road-
worthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers establishes minimum requirements for roadworthiness
testing. Member States are free to include additional items and test to an increased severity within their national
test for their own registered vehicles. Consequently, there is reluctance by those Member States with the more
rigorous testing regimes to accept the possibility of their citizens gaining a roadworthiness certificate from a
neighbouring Member State that operates a more lenient scheme. The Commission(cid:146)s current objective is to
enhance roadworthiness requirements when justifiable on cost effectiveness grounds. This process will, over
time, bring about a convergence of the national standards. However, until this is fully realised, mutual recognition
would not be favoured by the majority of Member States.

There are bilateral agreements between Member States that permit mutual recognition in certain specified cases.
This practice is not uncommon in the heavy haulage sector. However, it is not common practice with passenger
cars.

(1) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997.

(98/C 402/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1305/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Discrimination against biology graduates

In order to be admitted to Italian schools of specialization students with degrees in medicine and other subjects
(biology, chemistry, pharmacy, dentistry, etc) take part in an open competition in which qualifications and
examinations are taken into account. Whilst graduates in medicine who pass the entrance examination receive an
annual grant for the whole duration of the course of specialization, biology graduates do not.