Council Directive 88/449/EEC of 26 July 1988 amending Directive 77/143/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 26 July 1988 amending Directive 77/143/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States ralating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (88/449/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(3),
Whereas the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within  the Council, adopted a resolution on road safety on  19 December 1984(4);
Whereas Directive 77/143/EEC(5) provides for the regular roadworthiness testing of certain road vehicles only (buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers over 3,5 tonnes, taxis and ambulances);
Whereas roadworthiness testing could usefully be extended also to light goods vehicles, while examination of the Commission proposal concerning the introduction of such testing for private cars is continued;
Whereas the present systems of testing vehicles, where they exist, differ widely and whereas it is appropriate not only to require testing but also to harmonize as far as possible the frequency of tests and the items for which testing is compulsory;
Whereas the date of application set for the measures referred to in this Directive should allow time for the administrative and technical arrangements required for carrying out the tests to be set up or strengthened, particularly in those Member States  where no provision for the tests yet exists,