One last chance, namely until 2 October 2024, have to regulate the issues of issuing traffic data for the use of vehicles of category O1 and O2 (trailers), including the special use of non-transportation of goods, their owners.

Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for transport, Christina Alexopoulou, in an informative meeting with journalists, clarified that no further extension will be granted for “legalization” and that those who do not hurry to “legalize” the vehicles in question will be subject to the penalties of the Road Traffic Code after October 2nd.

Trailers, if they already have a special towing note (ESP), issued before December 29, are legally put on the road.

“Road safety is our priority” he said characteristically and called on the owners of the above vehicles to hurry to “sort out” the legality issues, by submitting an application to the competent transport and communications services of the Regions, which will be accompanied by the special towing note ( ESR) of the vehicle and the fee of 200 euros. The application is submitted in any legal and convenient way, without requiring the presence of the vehicle owner

He reminded that with the new legislative provision, passed by the Ministry of Transport, the possibility is provided to the owners of trailers, which had previously been legally put into circulation with special towing notes (ESR) and had not issued traffic information within the of the prescribed deadline provided for by no. 2805/2021 ministerial decision (that is, until 29/12/2023), to issue traffic information (license and plates), upon payment of a fee of 200 euros and within an exclusive period of five months, after its publication in the Official Gazette (May 2, 2024 ).

Therefore, now caravans, trailers, trunks, as well as specific types of agricultural machinery, are required to carry their own number plates and the relevant license, regardless of the main vehicles they are towed by, while they should also be covered by liability insurance.

Taxi Withdrawal

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is proceeding with the extension of the circulation of old taxis, which complete the retirement age limit of 21 years.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christina Alexopoulou, reminded that by regulation, it is provided that public taxi passenger vehicles that have reached the age limit for withdrawal from traffic by April 30, as well as vehicles whose limit expires from 1 May to 31 July 2024 they can be circulated until 31 July 2024 subject to conditions.

Specifically:

  • The owners or drivers of the old vehicles must have in their possession and show at each inspection the Order Form or other relevant proof of purchase of the vehicle that will replace the vehicle to be withdrawn which is dated up to 30 April 2024 and relevant bank receipt of payment equal to at least 20% of the value of this new vehicle dated until April 30, 2024.
  • The owners of the old Taxis establish from May 1 to July 31, 2024 a right to retirement, which can be proven if requested by presenting a retirement application or other relevant public document.

However, Ms. Alexopoulou considers the penetration of the “Green Taxis” program to be unsatisfactory, as the applications amount to 120 to 130, despite the “brave” subsidy of 22,500 to 28,500 euros that is given. So far 23 applicants have been paid and another 22 are expected until the European elections.

Taxi owners are “reluctant” to upgrade their vehicle to electric, which has negative environmental consequences, he said.

The deadline for applications is the end of 2024 and the aim of the program is to subsidize 1,400 new, all-electric taxis.

Given that the number of applications so far is low, the action’s budget is considered sufficient to cover emerging needs.

It is noted that, from 9/1/2023, the information system of the “Green Taxis” program is in operation, which concerns the subsidy for the purchase or lease of an electric ETX taxi vehicle with zero emissions. The program is financed with 40 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.