EC Officials Visit to See Vehicle Inspection Practices in Slovakia
On 23-24 October 2024, officials from the European Commission received an in-depth presentation of vehicle technical inspections in Slovakia, focusing on the processes and standards implemented for safety and emission checks. The visit was organized by the Slovak Ministry of Transport (Ministerstvo dopravy SR) and involved TESTEK and S-EKA, the key members of the international CITA network, which play a significant role in ensuring the quality and compliance of vehicle inspections in Slovakia.
As part of its initiative to revise European legislation on periodic technical inspections of vehicles, and roadside inspections of commercial vehicles, the Commission observed various inspection practices. Highlights of the visit included a coordinated technical roadside inspection at the D4 Jarovce-Kittsee border crossing, conducted jointly by Slovak traffic police and Austrian inspection authorities. These inspections involved portable scales for weight checks, mobile devices for brake and emission tests, and discussions on handling detected faults.
The delegation also visited Slovak technical inspection stations and emission check facilities. The Slovakian officials demonstrated the supervisory processes, technical methodologies, and compliance enforcement mechanisms used during inspections. Special attention was given to how data from inspections is recorded and used to ensure accuracy and transparency. Discussions also addressed future-oriented topics, such as automating certain inspection procedures and the potential introduction of solid particle measurement for diesel engines in the forthcoming Commission legislative proposals.
This visit underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between national authorities, industry stakeholders, and European institutions in enhancing road safety and environmental standards.