The Chamber of Deputies adopted in a plenary session on Wednesday the draft law on RCA (third-party liability insurance), which will bring under the scope of compulsory insurance vehicles that, under current national legislation, are not subject to registration or licensing, such as electric scooters, electric bicycles and other similar vehicles.

The draft law aims to transpose the provisions of Directive (EU) 2021/2118 of the European Parliament and was initiated by the Government.

In the explanatory memorandum, the Government says that the draft extends the definition of a vehicle so that the insurance obligation will be based on certain technical criteria. As a result, vehicles that are not currently subject to registration or licensing under national legislation – such as electric scooters, electric bicycles and other similar vehicles – will also fall under the scope of compulsory insurance.

Other changes introduced by the draft law include: regulation of minimum compensation limits and setting their reference in lei according to the exchange rate indicated in the directive, as well as the method of RCA insurance verification.

‘The owner or user of a vehicle that is normally based in Romania must conclude and maintain valid RCA insurance to cover the risks arising from its use. Individuals and legal entities who use vehicles exclusively for motor sporting events and activities – including races, competitions, training sessions, testing and demonstrations held in Romania in a restricted and marked-off area – are exempt from the obligation to conclude an RCA contract, provided that the event organiser or another party has taken out optional insurance or has an alternative guarantee instrument that covers damage caused by the vehicles to third parties, including spectators and other persons present. This does not necessarily cover damage caused to participating drivers and their vehicles,’ the draft provides.

The bill was adopted in the version submitted by the Government. All amendments adopted by the Senate were removed and the amendments submitted by deputies were rejected. AGERPRES