Council Directive
of 18 December 1975
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to statutory plates and inscriptions for motor vehicles and their trailers, and their location and method of attachment
(76/114/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [1],
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee [2],
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to statutory plates and inscriptions, and their location and methods of attachment;
Whereas those requirements differ from one Member State to another; whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure, which was the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers [3], to be applied in respect of each type of vehicle;
Whereas the approximation of national laws relating to motor vehicles involves the mutual recognition by Member States of the inspections carried out by each of them on the basis of common provisions; whereas, for such a system to function successfully, these provisions must be applied by all Member States with effect from the same date,
For the purposes of this Directive, "vehicle" means any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, and its trailers, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails, agricultural or forestry tractors and machinery, and public works vehicles.
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national type-approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to the statutory plates and inscriptions and their location and method of attachment, if these satisfy the requirements set out in the Annex hereto.
No Member State may refuse registration or prohibit the sale, entry into service or use of a vehicle on grounds relating to the statutory plates and inscriptions and their location and method of attachment, if these satisfy the requirements set out in the Annex to this Directive.
The amendments necessary to adapt the requirements of the Annex to technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
1. By 1 January 1977, Member States shall adopt and publish the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
They shall implement these provisions with effect from 1 October 1978.
2. After notification of this Directive, Member States shall take steps to inform the Commission, in sufficient time for it to submit its comments, of any draft laws, regulations or administrative provisions which they intend to adopt in the field covered by the Directive.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.