New EU truck rules will mean more stops and more penalties for hauliers

EU transport ministers have agreed their position on a major overhaul of the bloc’s roadworthiness rules, introducing tougher roadside checks for heavy vehicles, more advanced emissions testing and fully digital roadworthiness documents.

The reform package updates the rules on periodic technical inspections (PTI), technical roadside inspections (RSI) for commercial vehicles and vehicle registration documents. It aims to improve road safety, detect high-emitting vehicles and modernise enforcement in line with technological developments, according to the European Commission and the Council of the EU.

The Council’s “general approach”, adopted on 4 December 2025, now forms the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament. The final law may still change during trilogue negotiations, the Council adds.

Load securing becomes a standard part of every roadside check. The updated rules require inspectors to examine the latest PTI certificate, visually assess the vehicle’s technical condition, and assess how the cargo has been secured during every initial RSI.

Following this initial check, inspectors determine whether the vehicle should undergo a more detailed roadside inspection, including a dedicated cargo-securing assessment.

Hauliers can expect more sophisticated exhaust checks during both periodic inspections and roadside checks. Remote sensing technology, already used in some EU countries, will gain a formal role in the roadworthiness framework.

Under the updated RSI rules, each country must carry out initial roadside inspections each year corresponding to at least 5% of all heavy commercial vehicles registered in its territory.

Source: trans.info