Current impediments to habitual use in one EU country of cars registered in another EU country

27.2.2014

Question for written answer E-002299-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Antonio López-Istúriz White (PPE)

At present, driving private cars between Member States gives rise to certain problems. In fact, EU citizens are obliged to re-register their vehicles after six months of roaming or residence in another country. In addition, they have to take out a new insurance policy in that country, although there are exceptions to this rule: for students, for cross-border employees and for self-employed cross-border workers.

Bearing in mind the principle of the free movement of persons — the Schengen Agreement -, which gave rise to a borderless Europe, with border controls at the common frontiers of EU Member States being removed and at the same time allowing the free movement of goods and services, would it be possible to reduce or abolish the numerous bureaucratic impediments to being able to drive a vehicle from one Member State in another for more than six months? Does the Commission intend to propose the creation of a system of automatic recognition of registration plates among Member States of the Union, so that it would no longer be necessary for vehicle owners to re-register when they stay for more than six months in another Member State?

OJ C 320, 17/09/2014