18.2.77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 47/47 COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 29 December 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (77/143/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the implementation of a common transport policy requires, inter alia, that certain road traffic within the Community should operate under the most favourable cicumstances as regards both safety and competitive conditions applying to carriers in the Member States; Whereas the growth of road traffic and the resultant increase in danger and nuisances present all Member States with safety problems of a similar nature and seriousness; Whereas the time taken to carry out periodic road- worthiness tests on certain vehicles and the expense thereby incurred are factors which can affect the competitive conditions between road-transport oper- ators in the Member States; whereas the present systems of testing vary from one Member State to another; (1) OJ No C 23, 8. 3. 1974, p. 54. (¥) OJ No C 60, 26. 7. 1973, p. S. Whereas it is therefore necessary to harmonize as far as is practicable the frequency of tests and the compulsory items to be tested; Whereas the fixing of the date of application of the measures referred to in this Directive should allow time for the administrative and technical arrange- ments required for carrying out the tests to be set up or strengthened, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 In each Member State, motor vehicles registered in that State and their trailers and semi-trailers shall undergo periodic roadworthiness tests in accordance with this Directive and its Annexes. Article 2 1. The categories of vehicles to be tested, the fre- quency of the tests and the items which must be tested are listed in Annexes I and IL 2. Member States shall have the right to exclude from the scope of this Directive vehicles belonging to the armed forces and forces of law and order. 3. Member States may, after consulting the Co- mission, exclude from the scope of this Directive, or