A new procedure for organizing vehicle inspections (TI) has been prepared, which will affect every car owner in Latvia.
What may be useful: the number of inspection stations is expected to increase; Latvian drivers are promised the right to complain if they are dissatisfied with the inspection decision.
The Circle of Inspectors is Set to Expand
So, the Ministry of Transport of Latvia has developed a draft regulation with the long title "Regulations on the Accreditation of Persons Conducting Technical Control of Vehicles within the State Technical Inspection."
The stated goal is to establish clear, understandable, and uniform requirements for those firms that assess the technical condition of vehicles.
According to the new rules, technical inspections can be conducted by accredited individuals, who will be selected through an official public procurement procedure (state tenders). This means that new commercial players will be able to join the closed club of inspectors, which should invigorate the market.
At the same time, the ministry believes that the quality of control will not decline, and objectivity will not be compromised – as the accreditation requirements will remain uniform and as strict as possible for all.
The document has already been uploaded to the unified state portal of legislative proposals (TAP portal). Simple residents of Latvia, as well as organizations and experts, can participate in the public discussion, submit their suggestions, and express their concerns until June 5 of this year.
What Additional Services Will Be Offered
The new regulation outlines requirements for inspectors for absolutely all types of transport: from motorcycles and passenger cars to heavy trucks, buses, and trailers.
Moreover, the functions of inspection stations are set to be expanded. For example, additional checks of specialized vehicles or inspections of cars that have been involved in serious accidents can be conducted there.
It is also planned that at the inspection stations, drivers will receive a full package of services in a "one-stop shop" mode.
This includes checks of vehicles after significant modifications (tuning or alterations), as well as specific tests necessary for certification in the field of freight transportation.
Clients Will Be Able to Appeal
Perhaps the most important innovation for drivers is the introduction of an appeals mechanism. To ensure that decisions are made fairly, each service provider will be required to establish an internal procedure for handling complaints.
If you strongly disagree with the specific inspector's finding of a "fatal" defect in your vehicle, you will have the right to a re-evaluation right on the spot by the same operator. Only if a compromise cannot be reached will the matter be escalated to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate.
On the Role of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate. It will continue to oversee the work and quality of all accredited private companies.
After government approval, the new rules will begin to be implemented – this could happen as early as this autumn.
