The new car law in Austria raises concerns
Austria will soon extend the validity of the vehicle inspection sticker, allowing car owners to visit workshops less frequently. While this step aims to reduce bureaucracy, experts warn that it may affect road safety and environmental standards.
The federal government's package to reduce lengthy procedures includes extending transition periods for business regulations, simplifying the permitting process, and facilitating the installation of solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging stations. Authorities hope these reforms will expedite administrative processes across the country.
The government emphasizes digital solutions and unified service centers for businesses, while granting more flexibility in choosing technical experts. These steps aim to simplify business registration, recognize university qualifications, and reorganize the regulatory framework in general.
However, the changes in vehicle inspection periods have raised significant concerns. Roman Kieglovits-Akkur, the president of the federal union of automotive engineering, warned that a five-year-old car will be inspected only once, which may increase safety risks and lead to higher repair costs.
Kiglovits pointed out the German TÜV report, which indicated that long inspection periods have already led to defects in a third of vehicles, with around 135,000 cars classified as posing a danger on the roads. He emphasized that while inspection procedures can be simplified, it should not be at the expense of safety or environmental protection.