asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on vehicle testing arrangements in other European Community countries.
Testing arrangements for heavy goods vehicles and large passenger vehicles are governed by the EC road worthiness directive (77/1 43/EEC), under which these vehicles must be tested annually starting one year after first use. The arrangements for cars and light goods vehicles are set out in the table.
Comparison of car and light goods vehicle testing in EC countries Countries with (or in process of introducing) testing schemes
| |||||
First test after
| Frequency thereafter
| Additional testing
| Nature of testing stations
| ||
After serious accidents
| On change of ownership
| ||||
| Belgium | Four years | Annually | Yes | Yes | Independent test centres |
| Denmark | No annual testing | No | Yes if over five years old | Government test centres | |
| Germany | Three years | Every two years | No | No | Independent and government test centres |
| Italy | Two years | Every five years | No | No | Government test centres |
| Luxembourg | Three and a half years | Annually | Yes | Yes | Government test centres |
| Netherlands | Three years | Annually | Yes | No | Authorised garages |
| United Kingdom: | |||||
| (1) Great Britain | Three years | Annually | No | No | Authorised garages |
| (2) Northern Ireland | Six years (ears) | Annually | No | No | Government test centres |
| One year (light goods vehicles) | Annually | No | No | Government test centres | |
Other countries:
France: Considering introducing testing for vehicles involved in serious accidents and vehicles over five years old at change of ownership.
Greece: Considering testing of vehicles every two years in government test centres.
Ireland: Considering scheme on British model.
Portugal and Spain: No annual testing—not known if considering anything.