Minister Peeters is continuing with the much-needed reform of car inspection in Flanders.
Flemish Minister Lydia Peeters recently took an important step in reforming the car inspection system in Flanders. The Mobility and Public Works Committee has approved its proposal to make re-inspections possible at recognized repairers. This pilot project, which will initially run for five years with an option to extend, aims to relieve the pressure on inspection bodies and improve services to citizens.
This draft decree makes it possible for certain re-inspections, for which no specialized measuring equipment is required, to take place directly at recognized repairers. This includes, for example, re-inspections of tires, mirrors, lights and windows. This means that vehicle owners do not have to return to the inspection facility after a repair, which saves them time. For re-inspections that require more specialized equipment, such as the adjustment of low beam buttons, an option will also be created to have these carried out by the repairers.
In addition to easing the workload at inspection stations, the draft decree also proposes that inspection bodies may carry out minor repairs, which further improves efficiency. Minister Peeters emphasizes that the project will not jeopardize the efficiency, customer friendliness and quality of car inspections.
Peeters' ministry has consulted extensively with all parties involved to form a broadly supported implementation decision. This decision has now been completed and will soon be submitted to the Flemish Government for approval.
“We are continuing with the much-needed reform of car inspection in Flanders. Together with the measures previously taken, such as the extension of the periodicity, we will not only ensure that queues will soon be a thing of the past, but above all we will remove a lot of annoyance from citizens. After all, the system becomes much more logical by making repair and re-inspection possible in one go. In addition, in certain places, thanks to the previously approved system of decentralized inspections, it will also be possible to even have the periodic inspection take place at the garage. The inspection is then carried out by an inspector who is affiliated with a recognized institution.”
Once the system is operational, expect Minister Peeters that approximately 300.000 re-inspections can be transferred annually from the inspection bodies to the recognized repairers. This would not only significantly reduce wait times, but also reduce frustration among vehicle owners.
In addition, Peeters mentions that, in line with previous measures such as the expansion of the periodicity of inspections, the system becomes more logical for the citizen. The integration of repair and re-inspection reduces duplication of work and promotes smoother handling of the inspection process. The decentralized inspections, a system in which periodic inspections at garages can take place under the supervision of an inspector from a recognized institution, will also contribute to this improved efficiency.
