Vehicle registration certificates: reasoned opinions sent

Publication date: 07 July 2005

The Commission has sent reasoned opinions to Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal, Cyprus and the Czech Republic for failure to transpose European legislation on the introduction of a harmonised registration certificate into national law. This legislation will help improve road safety by making it possible to check that drivers are only driving categories of vehicle they are authorised to drive. The harmonisation of registration certificates will also improve the working of the internal market in road transport.

The purpose of the Directive 1999/37/EC is to a harmonise the presentation and content of vehicle registration certificates. The new certificate:
- will help improve road safety, as its content will make it possible to check that drivers are only driving categories of vehicle that their driving licence authorises them to drive;
- will be more easily understood by officials in other Member States who speak another language;
- will facilitate the re-entry into service of vehicles previously registered in other Member States and contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market.
The five countries concerned did not notify measures transposing this Directive to the Commission by the deadline of 1 June 2004.

The reasoned opinion is the second stage in the infringement procedure. The Member States have two months to reply before proceedings continue.