WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/00 by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission. Internal market and vehicle registration.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: application of EU law, vehicle registration

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/91

More generally, as set out in the recent communication on development policy (1), the Commission will
take steps to improve coherence between development policy and other Community policies.

(1) COM(2000) 212 final.

(2001/C 103 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/00

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Internal market and vehicle registration

The European Union(cid:146)s internal market is based on a fundamental principle: freedom of movement for
persons, goods, services and capital.

One of the aims of Community legislation is to guarantee that the principle of free movement is respected
and, hence, that any national practice acting as a hindrance to this freedom is restricted.

The concept of European citizenship has also been strengthened as a result of the Treaty of Amsterdam.
Guaranteeing mobility for individuals,
in particular young people, in the European Union will have a
decisive impact on the success of this project.

However, there are still national administrative measures which may be considered as a hindrance to
movement within the Community.

For instance, what happens to someone who decides to spend a few months in another EU Member State
with a car registered in his country of origin? Is he obliged to change the vehicle(cid:146)s registration and
insurance in the host country? If so, could consideration be given to adopting a provision to ensure that
the vehicle may still be used without having to make these changes?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 2000)

The tax arrangements relating to the temporary use of a vehicle in a Member State other than that in
which it has been registered are set out in Directive 83/182/EEC of 28 March 1983 on tax exemptions
within the Community for certain means of transport temporarily imported into one Member State from
another (1).

Under the Directive, tax exemption is granted for a period, continuous or otherwise, of not more than six
months in any twelve months for the temporary use of private vehicles and certain other means of
transport in a Member State other than that of registration, provided that the user has his or her normal
residence in a Member State other than the Member State of temporary importation, that he or she
employs the means of transport in question for his or her private use and the said means of transport is
not hired out or lent to a resident of that Member State. No change in registration is required for tax
purposes if use remains temporary within the meaning of the Directive.

Directive 83/182/EEC was implemented in 1984 and does not cover all the possible cases that could arise
in the single market as it has developed since 1 January 1993 in particular. The Commission has therefore
presented a proposal (2) to the Council to replace the Directive in question. The proposal has been
approved by Parliament but has not yet been adopted by the Council. To interpret the directive currently
in force, as far as possible in line with the needs of the European internal market, the Commission goes by
the case law of the Court and the rules governing the internal market.

In regard to civil liability resulting from the movement of vehicles, the Community legislation in force
aims to guarantee the free movement of vehicles within the Community and to compensate victims of
road accidents. The legislation was adopted on the basis of the provisions of the EC Treaty (Article 95)
(formerly Article 100a) on the establishment of an internal market between Member States.

C 103 E/92

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

The four motor directives (3) established the principle of compulsory cover on the basis of a single
premium for civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and stipulated the minimum content.
This compulsory insurance applies throughout Community territory and for the entire duration of the
contract as long as the vehicle remains registered in the country of origin.

(1) OJ L 105, 23.4.1983.
(2) Proposal for a Council Directive governing the tax treatment of private motor vehicles moved permanently to
another Member State in connection with a transfer of residence or used temporarily in a Member State other than
that in which they are registered (OJ C 108, 7.4.1998).

(3) Directives 72/166/EEC (OJ L 103, 2.5.1972), 84/5/EEC (OJ L 8, 11.1.1984), 90/232/EEC (OJ L 129, 19.5.1990) and

2000/26/EC (OJ L 181, 20.7.2000).

(2001/C 103 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Use of headlights to reduce accidents

A recent study carried out by various American universities and followed up by a research centre in Paris
has shown that the constant use of dipped headlights by vehicles at all times (including during daylight
hours) would reduce accidents by 16 %.

Is the Commission aware of these findings and will it say whether any such studies have been conducted
or are planned?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2000)

The Commission is continuously reviewing the available research evidence concerning the effectiveness of
daytime running lights as an accident reduction measure. The results of the considerable amount of
research in this field are not conclusive, but they do indicate that for all road users daytime running lights
would be a positive road safety measure and that the effects are directly proportional to ambient daylight
levels. Estimates of the accident reduction effect vary widely and are still the subject of unresolved
academic debate. The study mentioned by the Honourable Members contributes to this assessment.

The Commission concludes that daytime running lights are likely to be a cost-effective road safety measure
but not to be as significant, for example, as the benefits to be obtained from speed reduction, less drinking
and driving, or increased seat belt wearing. The Commission view on the significance of these measures is
described in greater detail in the latest road safety communication (1).

in the form of higher fuel
It should also be noted that daytime running lights will have a cost,
fuel consumption, and
consumption. The Commission has estimated that
consequent CO2 emissions, is between 1,5 % to 2,0 %, although this depends to some extent upon the
technical specification for daytime running lights.

the maximum additional

(1) COM(2000) 125.