VDTÜV/ Verband der TÜV e.V.

 
1.       As an umbrella association of the various technical inspection agencies (TÜV) in Germany, VdTÜV advocates continued progress in developing general vehicle inspections within the framework of periodical inspection. This general inspection will be extended to testing of electronic systems in vehicles. As a part of regular technical inspections, these tests will determine whether factory-installed system components are still present and whether their constituent components have been approved (original parts or approved spare parts), whether any unauthorized changes have been made and a test of their functionality and effectiveness. 
 
2.       VdTÜV will be working to optimise the theory component of the driver's license test in collaboration with its members and partner organizations, the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS), the Ministries of Transport in the 16 German Federal States and the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt). The target of this project is to reduce traffic accidents amongst young drivers by improving the theoretical part of the driver´s license test. For this reason, this test will be focussed more strongly on reducing traffic accidents and increasing situational awareness as well as the ability to assess risks, and detect, prevent and manage hazards. To achieve this goal, the theoretical part of the driver's license test in a first step will be transferred from a paper-based written test to a computer test. In parallel, a scientific safety system has been introduced. In a second step, we will create new formats, so that modern information technology can be used to increase the focus on specific competencies effective in reducing traffic accidents. Time schedule: implementation of first phase by the end of 2009 and nation-wide rolling out of computer test by January 2010; second phase rolling out and first evaluation will start in 2010.
 
3.       VdTÜV will continue to develop and extend the system certificate "Safety in Bus Operations". German bus operators will be inspected by independent bodies at regular intervals according to the three pillars of safety ("Company/Organisation", "Driver" and "Vehicle") on a voluntary commitment. With the continued objective of making passenger transport safer, this certificate was extended in 2009 to encompass ambulances and transport for handicapped persons. In this project, the combined effect of all three pillars - 1) "Company/Organisation", 2) "Driver", 3) "Vehicle" - contributes actively to increasing traffic safety throughout Germany and Europe. The operational implementation of this concept is performed by VdTÜV members and its partner organisations in free market competition.
 
4.       We will conduct voluntary certification of transportation and logistics companies, which will increase the safety of light commercial vehicles (LCV). The media and other traffic participants have increasingly complained that LCVs are dangerous, disruptive and a frequent cause of severe traffic accidents - a claim confirmed by statistics. This concept is also built on three main pillars. These pillars are: 1) "Company/Organisation", 2) "Driver" and 3) "Vehicle". Through voluntary commitment, LCV operators comply with a safety catalogue based on these three pillars. Next to safety-relevant operational aspects (route planning, compliance with driving/rest periods), this catalogue will also contain guidelines stipulating the use of modern active safety systems in new vehicles as well as periodic driver training in accordance with the EU professional driver directive (load securing, EU social regulations). In this project, the combined effect of all three pillars contributes actively to increasing traffic safety throughout Germany and Europe.
 
5.       VdTÜV will unite key experts in the fields of "Vehicle Inspections", "Vehicle Technology" and "Vehicle Management" during its "Expert Days", which will take place in the frame of its series of lectures. Regular discussions are an important instrument for sharing and disseminating knowledge about key innovations and safety-relevant technology as well as training methods in Germany and beyond. The three groups "Vehicle Inspections", "Vehicle Technology" and "Vehicle Management" will be made up of experts chosen from our member associations and partner organisations together with prominent representatives from the sciences, industry and politics. Each group discusses the challenges confronting our mobile society and works to develop recommendations for a safe future. Our next "Expert Days" will be held on 1-2 March 2010 and will be repeated every second year.
 
6.       In 2006, VdTÜV cooperated with its partner organisations to launch the first-ever Fit to Drive (www.fit-to-drive.com) congress. Fit to Drive provides a platform to debate new developments and perspectives in driver aptitude tests in Europe. Mobility needs of each individual motorist have to be aligned with society's justifiable need for road traffic safety. This cooperation between international experts will lay the foundation for a European system where these requirements are to be met. Based on 50 years of experience in these particular areas, Germany will make a qualified contribution. Over the past four years, this congress has been held in four different countries. 80 national and international traffic experts have shared their know-how and experiences with more than 800 participants from various countries. The next congress organised by VdTÜV will be in 2011 in Netherlands.