Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Transport if there is a mandatory period set out in EU law in relation to the frequency of road worthiness tests; if so, the frequency of such tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26819/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Council Directive 96/96/EC sets out the categories of vehicles subject to roadworthiness testing, the age at which vehicles must be first tested and the minimum frequency of such tests. Under the Directive it is open to a Member State to set earlier dates for the first testing of vehicles and to increase the frequency of such tests. The vehicles subject to roadworthiness testing by the Directive are buses, taxis, ambulances, goods vehicles, and goods trailers and semi-trailers exceeding 3,500 kilograms design gross weight.

Under the Directive, passenger cars and goods vehicles not exceeding 3,500 kilograms design gross weight are first liable to testing when they are 4 years old with subsequent tests due every 2 years thereafter. Buses, taxis, ambulances, goods vehicles exceeding 3,500 kilograms design gross weight, and goods trailers and semi-trailers exceeding 3,500 kilograms design gross weight are first liable to testing when they are one year old with subsequent tests due every year thereafter. The timeframes specified in the Directive apply in Ireland except in the case of goods vehicles not exceeding 3,500 kilograms design gross weight, which are required to undergo testing when they are 1 year old and every year thereafter.