Roadworthiness tests for goods vehicles (TRM) and passenger vehicles
Verified 03 January 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
New rules on roadworthiness tests for heavy and light vehicles
Published on 1 January 2024
Two Orders of the December 22, 2023 amend the rules of roadworthiness tests. The Order of 22 December 2023 amending the Order of 27 July 2004 concerns vehicles of less than 3,5 tons and the order of 22 december 2023 amending the order of 18 june 1991 concerns heavy vehicles.
The card is up to date of these amendments.
The roadworthiness test shall be obligatory for all goods road transport vehicles (TRM). It has to be done 1 time per year. In the case of vehicles for the public transport of passengers, it must be carried out every 6 months. It's the proprietor of the vehicle which must initiate the inspection and pay the costs. We'll explain when and how carry it out.
Summary: roadworthiness tests provided or required by type of vehicle
Type of vehicle | Compulsory roadworthiness tests? |
|---|---|
Yes | |
Heavy goods vehicle (more than 3.5 tons of PTAC: titleContent) | Yes |
Collection vehicle used as a chauffeur-driven transport car (VTC) | Yes |
Collection vehicle put into circulation before 1960 and with a PTAC of 3,5 t maximum | No |
Collection vehicle with a PTAC greater than 3,5 t | No |
Agricultural tractor | No |
Trailer with a PTAC of 3.5 tons or less not used for dangerous goods transport | No |
Trailer with a PTAC of 3.5 tons or less used for the transport of dangerous goods | Yes |
Vehicle with a W garage certificate | Yes |
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.
FYI
The agricultural tractors shall be exempt. The vehicles of collection also, regardless of weight, unless the vehicle is used in the course of VTC: titleContent.
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)
Please note
Vehicles with a W certificate (garage card) are now subject to mandatory roadworthiness testing.
The frequency of roadworthiness tests for heavy goods vehicles differs according to whether the goods in question are persons or merchandise.
People
Public transit (PTC) is for vehicles with more than 9 seats, including the driver.
You must perform the roadworthiness test of your vehicle every 6 months.
Please note
The VTC: titleContent and taxis are therefore not concerned. For them, the frequency of roadworthiness tests is 1 time per year.
Goods
For road freight transport (TRM), you have to carry out the roadworthiness test of your truck 1 time per year.
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:
Who shall I contact
Please note
Roadworthiness test centers shall not exceed a quota of heavy goods vehicles, between 10 % and 35 % of their overall activity, depending on the geographical location.
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 2e 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.
FYI
The state of cleanliness of the vehicle must be sufficient to permit visual and auditory examination.
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
Defects are classified into 3 main categories that result in 3 different outcomes:
- Failure minor : no counter-visit. The vehicle can run. Repairs are however recommended.
- Failure major : mandatory counter-inspection within 2 months. The vehicle can run.
- Failure critic : the vehicle is no-ride from midnight after the check. A counter-visit is mandatory within 2 months.
Example :
Examples of faults :
- Minor: tire friction on wheel guards (bibs)
- Major: no operation or absence of windshield wipers and windshield washer
- Critical: stop lamps not working
Warning
During the counter-visit, the control operations must be carried out by single controller.
In addition, if the counter-inspection is carried out at an approved center other than the periodic inspection center, you must present theoriginal of the minutes unfavorable. Otherwise, a full check will be carried out again.
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
Warning
If the periodic roadworthiness test is unfavorable, you must present theoriginal of the minutes of the control during counter-visit. Otherwise, a new full roadworthiness test will be carried out.
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.
Please note
The approved technical inspection centers must archive the stamps and the reports so that they can be matched.
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.
Technical controller (all vehicles)
Approval of controllers, installations and networks
Roadworthiness tests for public passenger transport vehicles
Immobilization in the event of a technical inspection being breached
Technical inspection of heavy goods vehicles and periodicity
Technical inspection of the transport of dangerous goods, light road tractors and public passenger transport: Annex VIII, Part B
Control method (control points) and sanctions
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