On Thursday, the Walloon government adopted, at first reading, a draft decree instigating regular technical inspection for classic vehicles. This came in response to a European directive, in the interests of road safety.
To be considered as “classic”, a vehicle must be aged 25 years or over. Currently, there is no recurring technical check, only a simplified technical check before being traded. The Walloon Minister in charge of Road Safety, Carlo Di Antonio (cdH), says, “The current situation could present genuine risks, not only for users of these vehicles, but also for other road users.”
In the future, for vehicles under 30 years old, the technical check should take place annually, and every two years for those vehicles over 30 years old. Checks will be carried out on vehicles based upon the date on which they first came into circulation. The given vehicle will be compared to technical standards which applied when it was first licensed.
Failures observed on vehicles will be classified into three categories (minor, major and critical) and will lead to anything from a simple warning to prohibition from use. The text is to go before the government and will come into force as soon as it appears in the Moniteur Belge (the official source of all legislation) during the course of the first half of 2018.
A transition period of 24 months is anticipated for vehicles which first came into circulation before June 15th, 1968, and 18 months for vehicles which first came into circulation on or after that date.
The Brussels Times
