Summary: technical inspection dispensed or mandatory depending on the type of vehicle

Depending on the weight of the vehicle

A truck is a vehicle of more than 3.5 tons (PTAC: titleContent).

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

You can refer to the list of all vehicle categories.

Depending on the type of transport

All trailers, all vehicles towing trailers and all vehicles carrying dangerous goods are concerned, regardless of their weight.

Categories of vehicles concerned by the roadworthiness testwhatever their weight, are the following :

• Tractor units (TRR), regardless of PTAC, used to tow semi-trailers and trailers
• Trucks (CAM)
• Front-wheel semi-trailers (SRAT)
• Semi-trailers (SREM)
• Road trailers (REM)
• Combined Transport Semi-Trailers (CCTS)
• Combined transport trailers (RETC)
• Specialized Motor Vehicles (VASP)
• Specialized semi-trailers (SRSP)
• Specialized trailers (RESP)
• Passenger Transit Vehicles (PTAs)
• Vans (CTTE) used in public transit
• Vehicles used in the transport of dangerous goods and having a certificate of approval (all types and whatever the PTAC)
• Vehicles having a W certificate (garage card).

The periodicity of the roadworthiness test of a heavy goods vehicle differs according to whether it is a transport of people or goods.

If you do not carry out the recommended repairs following the inspection, or if you forget to carry out the technical inspection of your vehicle within the mandatory period, you risk sanctions.

In case of inspection by law enforcement, if you have not carried out the technical inspection within the mandatory period, you will have to pay a fine.

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

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

The police officer issues a record of provisional circulation of 7 days for the purpose of performing the missing roadworthiness test.

He shall confiscate the certificate of registration (-) until proof of the roadworthiness test has been carried out.

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

You have to do the technical inspection in a special center, called approved center, which has a specific authorization for heavy goods vehicles.

Each approved center shall have the following logo:

The list of approved truck roadworthiness testing centers is available on the UTAC website:

You must prepare the following documents before you go to the roadworthiness test

• - (now called certificate of registration)
• Description leaflet and certificate of conformity of the vehicle or its copy (provided by the manufacturer at purchase)
• In the case of imported vehicles or modified vehicles (e.g. camper vans): isolated type-approval report (RTI)
• In the event of a counter-visit: unfavorable periodic technical inspection report
• For special purpose vehicles (breakdown vehicles), TCP: titleContent, transport of persons with disabilities, transport of dangerous goods): authorization for entry into service provided for (provided by Dreal)
• For TCP and transport of dangerous goods: certificate of verification of the speed limitation system less than 1 year old
• For TCPs: certificate of installation of the alcohol interlock device (EAD) and last verification certificate from the 2^e year of installation
• In the event of a fuel change: certificate of submission of an individual application for a change of energy source, dated less than one year
• For fully electric vehicles (no internal combustion engine) and if the registration certificate does not mention the expected energy (EL, HE or HH): the certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer

Technical inspection is an examination visual and auditory of the vehicle.

The controller checks a precise number functions of the vehicle, called checkpoints.

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

The inspection is carried out without dismantling, except in exceptional cases. Thus, when it is a vehicle of TDG: titleContent, the controller may deposit the tachograph with a specific tool to verify the presence of the “EX” marking.

Any repairs are prohibited in the control center.

The roadworthiness test shall be carried out by a single controller.

How many points are they checked?

The control checks 157 checkpoints.

In total, they can reveal 734 defects.

569 defects are the subject of a counter-visit.

What are the failure levels and their consequences?

Infographie - Technical inspection: consequences of the 3 levels of failure

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The technical inspection of a truck 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
  · Mandatory 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 must be repaired.
  · Mandatory counter-visit within 2 months

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Technical inspection: consequences of the 3 levels of failure

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The technical inspection of a truck 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
  · Mandatory 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 must be repaired.
  · Mandatory counter-visit within 2 months

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Defects are classified into 3 main categories that lead to 3 different consequences:

1. Failure minor : no counter-visit. The vehicle can run. However, repairs are recommended.
2. Failure major : mandatory counter-visit within 2 months. The vehicle can run.
3. Failure critical : the vehicle is forbidden to drive from midnight after the check. A counter-visit is mandatory within 2 months.

Minutes

The minutes are the summary of the inspection.

It shall be handed over to the owner of the vehicle by the approved control center.

This is proof that the check was carried out.

It shall include the following information:

• Failure points
• Repairs to be carried out or recommended with or without a mandatory counter-visit
• Final result of the control, favorable or not with prohibition or permission to move

Stamp

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

It indicates the date of next check technical.

It's not official proof of control.

If you wish to contest the inspection, you can resolve the problem by an amicable appeal either to the center that 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.