Summary: roadworthiness tests provided or required by type of vehicle

Based on vehicle weight

A heavy goods vehicle is a more than 3,5 tons (PTAC: titleContent).

These may be vehicles used for the transport of public passengers (categories M2 and M3) or for the transport of goods (categories N2 or N3).

You can refer to the list of all categories of vehicles.

Depending on the type of transport

All trailers, all vehicles which tow trailers and all vehicles which carry dangerous goods are affected, irrespective of their weight.

Vehicle categories concerned by roadworthiness tests, whatever their weight, are the subsequent :

• Road tractors (TRR), irrespective of the PTACused to tow semi-trailers and trailers
• Trucks (CAM)
• Front-wheel semi-trailers (FRT)
• Road Semi-trailers (SREM)
• Road Trailers (REM)
• Semi-trailers for combined transport (SRTC)
• Combined transport trailers (RETC)
• Specialized motor vehicles (SPV)
• Specialized Semi-Trailers (SRSP)
• Specialized trailers (RESP)
• Passenger Transit Vehicles (PTC)
• Pickup trucks (PSTC) used in public passenger transportation
• Vehicles used in the transport of dangerous goods and having a certificate of approval (all types and irrespective of the TCCA)
• Vehicles having a W certificate (garage card)

The frequency of roadworthiness tests for heavy goods vehicles differs according to whether the goods in question are persons or merchandise.

If you do not perform the recommended repairs following the inspection, or if you forget to carry out the roadworthiness test of your vehicle within the mandatory time limit, you risk penalties.

In the case of a police check, if you have not carried out the technical check within the mandatory deadline, you will have to pay a fine.

The amount of the fine differs depending on whether you own the vehicle as a natural person or as a business.

• For an individual entrepreneur, the fine is €750.
• For a business (legal person), the fine is €3,750.

The police officer issues a record of temporary circulation of 7 days to perform the missing roadworthiness test.

Carte grise He shall confiscate the certificate of registration (C of R) until he receives proof of the technical inspection carried out.

Depending on the state of the vehicle, it may also be restrained in a technical inspection center or impounded.

You have to do the roadworthiness test at a special center, called approved centre, which has a specific authorization for heavy goods vehicles.

Each approved center shall have the following logo:

The list of approved centers for the roadworthiness testing of heavy goods vehicles is available on the UTAC website:

You must prepare the following documents before going to the roadworthiness test:

• Carte grise (henceforth called certificate of registration)
• Descriptive note and certificate of conformity of the vehicle or a copy thereof (supplied by the manufacturer upon purchase)
• In the case of imported or modified vehicles (e.g. a camper van): Isolated Approval Report (ISR)
• In case of counter-inspection: unfavorable report of the periodic roadworthiness test
• For special purpose vehicles (breakdown vehicles, TCP: titleContent, the transport of persons with disabilities, the transport of dangerous goods): authorization for entry into service (provided by Dreal)
• For TCPs and transport of dangerous goods: certificate of verification of the speed limitation system less than 1 year old
• For TCPs: EAD installation certificate and last verification certificate from 2^e installation year
• In case of fuel change: certificate of submission of isolated energy source change type-approval dossier less than one year old
• For fully electric vehicles (no heat engine) and if the registration certificate does not mention the intended energy (EL, HE or HH): the certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer

Roadworthiness testing is an examination visual and auditory of the vehicle.

The controller verifies a precise number vehicle functions, called checkpoints.

It notes defects, called failure points, which must be repaired at a garage.

The inspection is carried out without dismantling.

Any repair is prohibited in the control center.

The technical inspection must be carried out by a single inspector.

How many points are checked?

The check shall verify 157 checkpoints.

In total, they can reveal 734 defects.

569 defects shall be subject to counter-visit.

What are the failure levels and consequences?

Infographie - Roadworthiness: consequences of the 3 levels of failure

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Technical inspection of a heavy goods vehicle can result in 3 levels of failure (minor, major or critical) with different consequences.

• Minor failure:
  · Control result = favorable
  · The vehicle can run
  · No mandatory counter-visit
• Major failure:
  · Control result = unfavorable
  · The vehicle can run
  · Compulsory counter-visit within 2 months
• Critical failure:
  · Control result = unfavorable
  · From midnight on the day of the check, the vehicle can no longer drive. It needs to be repaired.
  · Compulsory counter-visit within 2 months

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Roadworthiness: consequences of the 3 levels of failure

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Technical inspection of a heavy goods vehicle can result in 3 levels of failure (minor, major or critical) with different consequences.

• Minor failure:
  · Control result = favorable
  · The vehicle can run
  · No mandatory counter-visit
• Major failure:
  · Control result = unfavorable
  · The vehicle can run
  · Compulsory counter-visit within 2 months
• Critical failure:
  · Control result = unfavorable
  · From midnight on the day of the check, the vehicle can no longer drive. It needs to be repaired.
  · Compulsory counter-visit within 2 months

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Defects are classified into 3 main categories that result in 3 different outcomes:

1. Failure minor : no counter-visit. The vehicle can run. Repairs are however recommended.
2. Failure major : mandatory counter-inspection within 2 months. The vehicle can run.
3. Failure critic : the vehicle is no-ride from midnight after the check. A counter-visit is mandatory within 2 months.

Minutes

The report shall be the summary of the inspection.

It shall be given to the owner of the vehicle by the approved inspection center.

That's proof that the check was done.

It shall include the following information:

• Points of failure
• Repairs to be carried out or recommended with or without a mandatory counter-visit
• Final result of the test, whether favorable or not with a driving ban or permission

Stamp

Carte grise The stamp is placed on the certificate of registration.

It shall indicate the registration number of the vehicle, the date of the inspection carried out and its period of validity.

Thumbnail

If the check is favorable, the controller puts a thumbnail on the windshield of the vehicle.

It shall indicate the date of next check technical.

It's not official proof of control.

If you wish to challenge the inspection, you can resolve the problem by means of an amicable appeal either to the center which carried out the technical inspection or to the network to which the approved center is attached.

Then, you can use a recourse either to the departmental directorate of population protection (in the prefecture) or to the court of law.