Author - Daniele D'Onofrio

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Last week, CITA President Gerhard Müller was invited by Mr. Georg Hönig, Head of the Department of Technical Vehicle Affairs at the State Government of Lower Austria, for a two-day technical visit focused on Roadside Inspections (RSI). Mr. Hönig, who oversees all vehicle inspections in the region, including RSI, organized a comprehensive program showcasing Austria’s inspection practices.

Day 1: Roadside Inspection Practices for Trucks and Special Vehicles / The first day began with a visit to a steady inspection site along the highway connecting the Czech Republic to Vienna. From a control room, trucks were automatically diverted using special traffic signals, then weighed and measured while driving at 25 km/h through a dedicated lane. Vehicles showing irregularities—or those selected by the police—were directed to the inspection area for a full technical check. President Müller joined an RSI of a truck transporting hazardous goods, which fortunately revealed only minor defects.

The program continued at a mobile inspection site, where police targeted smaller trucks with trailers (N1 with O2). Suspicious vehicles detected from the highway were escorted to the site. Two significant cases were observed: a trailer with completely non-functioning brakes, and a vehicle combination overloaded by several hundred kilos.

Later, Mr. Müller visited the brand-new governmental inspection centre in Wolkersdorf (KFZ-Prüfstelle Wolkersdorf), dedicated to special vehicle appraisals, such as modifications and technical changes.

Day 2: Motorcycle Roadside Inspections / The second day focused on motorcycle inspections. At a mobile site set up on a popular curvy road for motorcyclists, police conducted random stops. After checking documents, government technical experts carried out full inspections, including emissions and noise tests.

Roadside Inspection Organization in Austria / In Austria, RSI is a joint effort between the regional governments and the police. The police is responsible for identifying and stopping vehicles, conducting initial checks, and directing suspicious cases to inspection sites. Then, specially trained technical experts from the regional governments perform thorough inspections. Lower Austria operates steady inspection sites along highways, as well as mobile sites for trucks, passenger cars, and motorcycles.

Visit to ÖAMTC Driving Safety Center / In addition to the RSI program, CITA member ÖAMTC welcomed President Müller to its Driving Safety Center in Melk. The center provides a wide range of training courses for drivers, motorcyclists, and emergency services. As a passionate motorcyclist himself, President Müller even participated in a special motorcycle training session.

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CITA is pleased to announce the publication of its new white paper titled "How to Inspect Brakes of Road Vehicles", a comprehensive guide addressing the critical role of brake testing in vehicle safety and PTI.

This technical paper was developed by the CITA Task Force on Brakes, a multidisciplinary expert group composed of representatives from leading PTI organizations, equipment manufacturers, and testing bodies. Their objective was to assess current inspection methods and recommend a harmonized, effective, and future-proof approach for evaluating braking systems in road vehicles.

The CITA Task Force on Brakes:

• Leader: Marian Rybiansky – TESTEK, a.s.
• Christian Fahry – FSD Fahrzeugsystemdaten GmbH
• Martin Kraus – DEKRA SE
• Jordi Brunet – VTEQ - VEHICLE TESTING EQUIPMENT, S.L.
• Peter Ondrejka – TESTEK, a.s.
• Georges Petelet – CAPELEC
• Christian Thalheimer – MAHA
• Tomislav Škreblin – CVH
• Patrik Persson – APPLUS+
• Benoît Job – Muller Automotive sas

Why This Paper Matters
Braking systems are among the most safety-critical components in vehicles. However, inspection procedures across countries remain fragmented, and traditional testing methods often face practical and technical limitations. This white paper evaluates the full spectrum of testing methodologies—including dynamic road tests, static brake testers with loaded and unloaded vehicles, extrapolation techniques, and the increasingly relevant reference value method.

Key Takeaways
The reference value method, as defined in UNECE Regulation No. 13, ISO 21069, and ISO 21995, offers the most reliable and efficient approach to brake performance testing in PTI environments. Unlike conventional methods, it allows for axle-by-axle verification of braking forces, is adaptable to both pneumatic and hydraulic systems, and does not require the vehicle to be fully loaded. To make this method widely applicable, the paper emphasizes the need for vehicle-type-specific reference data, accessible via the vehicle’s diagnostic interface, and supported by EU legislation.

This white paper provides valuable recommendations to ensure that brake testing remains robust, consistent, and adaptable to the evolution of vehicle technologies—especially with the growing presence of electric braking systems and connected vehicle diagnostics.

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• Download the white paper here

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CITA is pleased to announce the publication of the revised version of its Recommendation No. 3, now entitled "Relating to the Features of Measuring Instruments". This update replaces the original document, first adopted in December 1977, under the title "Relating to the Features of Measuring Apparatus".

The updated recommendation reflects significant developments in inspection technology and practice, aligning its content with current standards and regulations such as EU Directive 2014/45/EU, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025. It provides updated guidance on the design, installation, use, maintenance, and calibration of measuring instruments used in roadworthiness testing, ensuring reliable, safe, and consistent measurements across inspection centres.

This revision was carried out by the CITA Task Force "Quality", a group of members committed to reviewing and modernising long-standing CITA recommendations. Their efforts aim to ensure that all CITA documents remain relevant, technically accurate, and in line with the evolving needs of vehicle inspection systems worldwide.

We extend our gratitude to the Task Force members for their valuable contributions:

• Kanvaly Bamba, SGS
• Timo Kneuper, ÖAMTC
• Andreas Klocke, QMEV (leader of this TF)
• Jaroslav Olexa, TESTEK
• Juan Portillo Rojano, TÜV SÜD ATISAE S.A.U.
• François Togny, DEKRA
• Jasper Vos, RDW

The revised Recommendation No. 3 highlights best practices for the proper use of measuring devices during inspections, reinforcing the role of accuracy, safety, and traceability in vehicle compliance assessments. It also provides clear guidance for both inspectors and inspection bodies regarding the responsibilities tied to equipment handling, training, and maintenance protocols.

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• The full revised Recommendation No. 3 is available for download here

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CITA is proud to announce the publication of its Recommendation No. 27: Electric Vehicles Inspection – A Comprehensive Approach, a milestone document providing an in-depth framework for the Periodic Technical Inspectionof electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

This document offers an urgently needed and harmonized response to the emerging safety, environmental, and operational challenges posed by EVs across their entire lifecycle.

Developed by the CITA Electric Vehicles Task Force, this paper outlines the technical characteristics that distinguish EVs—such as high-voltage components, battery systems, regenerative braking, and unique software elements—and presents a tailored methodology for their inspection.

It proposes:

• New inspection categories specific to EVs
• Detailed defect severity classifications
• Practical test methods for assessing safety-critical systems (e.g., isolation resistance, AVAS functionality, equipotential bonding)
• Forward-thinking recommendations on data access, software integrity checks, and battery health assessment

Crucially, Recommendation No. 27 emphasizes the need to prepare PTI regimes for aging EVs, ensuring these vehicles remain safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant as they move through second-hand markets and extended use cycles.

While existing EU and international frameworks—such as Directive 2014/45/EU and UNECE Regulation No. 100—provide a legal foundation for vehicle inspection and safety, they do not yet fully account for the specific risks and configurations of electric vehicles. This recommendation fills that gap with actionable technical guidance, and calls for:

• Regulatory adaptations to support EV-specific inspections
• Standardized access to diagnostic data, fault codes, and battery software
• Greater harmonization in inspection procedures across Member States

Recommendation No. 27 is the product of extensive collaboration, research, and expertise from a wide range of CITA Members. We express our sincere appreciation to all colleagues of the Electric Vehicles Task Force for their valuable contributions:

• Víctor Salvachúa – APPLUS+ (Task Force Leader)
• Frederick Adler – TÜV NORD
• Pascal Buekenhoudt – GOCA VLAANDEREN
• Alejandro Checa – CITA
• Visar Çekiçi – Albanian General Directorate of Road Transport
• Luis Gallego – ITEVELESA
• Manuel Hagemann – TÜV NORD
• Raphael Lazar - KÜS
• Leif Magne Halvorsen – NPRA
• Nina Kornsteiner – AVL DiTEST
• Dirk Meissner – FSD
• Andreas Richter – DEKRA 
• Jesus Raul Ramos – APPLUS+
• Georges Petelet – CAPELEC
• Tom Polman – RDW
• Ralph Schröder – FSD
• Frank Schouten – Midtronics

This recommendation reaffirms CITA’s commitment to supporting the safe, sustainable, and equitable evolution of mobility. As the EV fleet grows, so must our ability to inspect, maintain, and regulate these vehicles with rigor and consistency.

Recommendation No. 27 is a key step toward future-ready PTI systems that protect users, support innovation, and foster public trust in electric mobility.

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• DOWNLOAD THE REC 27

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Brussels, 24 June 2025 | The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has today published its 19th Annual Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) Report, revealing that despite some national successes, the European Union remains significantly off course to meet its 2030 target of halving road deaths and serious injuries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFu58WHMj0

The report highlights that road deaths across the EU27 fell by only 2% in 2024 compared to the previous year — far below the 6.1% annual reduction needed to stay on track. Since 2019, road deaths have declined by just 12%, against a necessary reduction of 27% by this stage.

Norway once again leads Europe in road safety outcomes, recording the continent’s lowest mortality rate at just 16 road deaths per million inhabitants. In recognition of this remarkable and sustained achievement, the ETSC has awarded Norway its prestigious 2025 Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) Award.

The award acknowledges Norway’s “Vision Zero” strategy, local safety innovations, youth-focused reforms, and legislative improvements such as mandatory fatal crash investigations and autopsies.

ETSC Executive Director Antonio Avenoso praised Norway’s commitment: “Norway continues to show what’s possible when a country commits to road safety at every level — from government strategy to local planning. Their results are no accident; they’re the product of clear targets, rigorous implementation, and national ambition.”

The 2025 PIN Report presents a stark contrast between leading countries and those still struggling. While Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia achieved reductions in deaths above 30% since 2019, eight countries, including Switzerland and Estonia, saw increases in road deaths in 2024. Altogether, 20,017 people lost their lives on EU roads last year.

The ETSC estimates that while 23,800 lives have been saved in the EU since 2014, an additional 49,600 deaths could have been prevented if progress had matched the required pace — a missed opportunity valued at €124 billion in societal benefit.

CITA is proud to support the ETSC’s PIN programme. As a contributing partner, CITA shares ETSC’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and the promotion of the Safe System approach to road safety.

ETSC, as the independent voice for road safety in Europe, calls on EU institutions and national governments to accelerate efforts through strategic investment, enhanced enforcement, and full implementation of safety performance indicators. The organisation reiterates that road deaths are preventable and that political will is key to achieving change.

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• DOWNLOAD THE 19th PIN REPORT
• MORE INFO ABOUT ETSC