Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) will put in place a technical examination mechanism for used vehicles imported to the UAE from January 1, 2013, a statement released by the MoI said.

The inspection procedures have been finalised and will be implemented in cooperation with the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma). “All items covered by the new procedures will be inspected at the emirate they are coming to before transferring them to other cities within the UAE,” an Esma spokesperson told Gulf News.

“Currently, some vehicles are getting sent from one city to the other before getting examined. This poses a risk of smuggling, as some end up not getting checked at all,” he added.

Now, all vehicles will be issued an examination certificate containing a stamp showing the results of their inspection and will then be consequently allowed into the UAE and transferred to their corresponding cities or prevented from being registered.

As per new laws announced by the Cabinet, Esma will issue two lists specifying safety criteria for tyres and buses with a seating capacity of less than 22.

“Tyres play a great role in the safety of a vehicle — and it is important for them to meet UAE standards and the same can be said about buses,” the official who chose to remain anonymous explained.

In addition to the condition and validity of tyres on vehicles, attention will be paid to the speedometer and the number of seats within a vehicle with any extra seats being removed, the spokesperson said.

In a joint meeting between the MoI, Esma and three major local oil companies, a set of proposed measures for vehicle examination have been discussed to facilitate a decision on a country-wide inspection mechanism.

Linking up the issuing of vehicle examination certificates and vehicle registration procedures in other cities ensures vehicles meet regulations and don’t suffer from technical flaws, explained Lieutenant Colonel Suhail Al Khaili, the head of vehicle licensing at the Abu Dhabi Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Directorate.

According to Al Khaili, the new procedures will ensure conformity with new Esma, international and GCC standards.

A representative of Esma said that awareness campaigns and workshops will be implemented at examination and registration centres across the country to explain the new requirements and amendments to the concerned staff.