MaintainlyHow often does a car need a safety inspection in Europe?
Vehicle safety inspection every 2 years. The commonly recommended range is every 1 to 2 years, set by country and the car's age. Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and in some countries the car can be taken off the road.
Most European countries require cars to pass a periodic roadworthiness test at an approved centre. The first test usually comes three or four years after first registration, then every two years, and some countries test older cars every year. The date is set by the car, not by when you bought it.
Why does your car’s safety inspection matter?
Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and in some countries the car can be taken off the road.
What happens if you skip your car’s safety inspection?
Driving past the date can mean a fine: France sets a fixed fine of 135 euros, and in Italy the car is also recorded as suspended from circulation until it passes. In Norway a car without a valid EU-kontroll can lose its plates. The Dutch RDW adds that an insurer may refuse to pay for damage if the car has failed its test.
What does the professional actually do?
- Checks brakes, steering, suspension, lights, tyres and the body for corrosion
- Tests exhaust emissions against the limit for the engine type
- Issues a pass certificate or a list of defects with a deadline to fix them
How do you choose someone qualified?
Only approved test centres can issue the certificate. Book before the month it is due, and bring the registration document. If the car fails, you get a deadline to repair it and return: in France the re-inspection must take place within 2 months.
How do you know your car’s safety inspection is overdue?
- The date on your registration papers, or the sticker on the plate or windscreen
- A warning light that has stayed on: have it diagnosed before the test
- Worn tyres, a cracked windscreen in the driver view, or a blown bulb
What changes how often you need to do it?
- The car’s age: older cars are tested more often in the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden
- Fuel type: in the Netherlands, diesel and gas cars are first tested at three years and then every year
- Use: in Italy, taxis and hire cars with a driver are tested every year
When should you stop and call someone?
Always. Only an approved inspection centre can issue the certificate.
Does this differ in the US, UK, Australia or Canada?
United States
There is no national periodic inspection for private cars. Any safety or emissions inspection is set by your state, and the rules differ widely, so check with your state motor vehicle agency.
United Kingdom
Cars need an MOT by the third anniversary of registration and every year after that. Maintainly tracks it with the Vehicle registration and MOT task, and GOV.UK offers an MOT reminder service. Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000.
Australia
Rules are state based. Queensland, for example, requires a safety certificate when a registered car is transferred to a new owner, and has no periodic inspection for private cars. Check your state transport authority.
Canada
Rules are provincial. Ontario, for example, requires a safety standards certificate when a used car is transferred to a new owner. Check your provincial transport ministry.
What about in Europe?
Germany
The Hauptuntersuchung (HU), done by TÜV, DEKRA or another recognised inspection organisation, is due 36 months after first registration and then every 24 months. The round coloured sticker on the rear plate shows the month and year.
France
The first contrôle technique is due in the six months before the car’s fourth anniversary, then every two years. The expiry date is stamped on the registration certificate and shown on a windscreen sticker.
Netherlands
For petrol and electric cars the APK is due at four years, then twice at two-year intervals, then every year. Diesel and gas cars are due at three years and then every year. RDW sends one reminder letter six weeks before the date.
Spain
The ITV is due once the car is more than four years old, every two years until it is ten, then every year. A car that passes gets a V-19 sticker from the ITV station.
Italy
The revisione is due four years after first registration, then every two years, at a Motorizzazione Civile office or an authorised workshop.
Sweden
Besiktning is due within 36 months of the month the car was first put on the road, then within 24 months of the first inspection, then within 14 months of each inspection after that. You can go earlier, and the next deadline counts from the month of the latest inspection.
Norway
The EU-kontroll must be passed within four years of first registration, then at least every two years. Statens vegvesen shows the deadline for each registration number in its online check.
Denmark
Syn is due four years after first registration, then every two years. Færdselsstyrelsen sends the notice by Digital Post eight weeks before the deadline, and you book with an approved test company yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Why does your car’s safety inspection matter?
Driving past the inspection date risks a fine, and in some countries the car can be taken off the road.
What happens if you skip your car’s safety inspection?
Driving past the date can mean a fine: France sets a fixed fine of 135 euros, and in Italy the car is also recorded as suspended from circulation until it passes. In Norway a car without a valid EU-kontroll can lose its plates. The Dutch RDW adds that an insurer may refuse to pay for damage if the car has failed its test.
Does your car’s safety inspection differ by country?
Germany: HU (TÜV) at 36 months, then every 24. France: contrôle technique at 4 years, then every 2. Netherlands: APK at 4 years, then every 2, yearly after 8 for petrol and electric cars (diesel and gas cars at 3 years, then yearly). Spain: ITV at 4 years, every 2 until 10, then yearly. Italy: revisione at 4 years, then every 2. Sweden: besiktning at 36 months, then 24, then every 14. Norway: EU-kontroll at 4 years, then every 2. Denmark: syn at 4 years, then every 2.
How we put this together
The figures, intervals and legal points on this page were checked against the sources listed below. The default interval and accepted range are the ones Maintainly uses in its task library. Costs and times are typical ranges and vary by region and by home. Your own manufacturer's instructions come first, and gas, electrical and structural work belongs with a qualified professional. How we research and write.
Sources
- Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO), Anlage VIII: Untersuchung der Fahrzeuge, Bundesministerium der Justiz (Gesetze im Internet). Checked 11 October 2026.
- Die TÜV-Plakette lesen, ADAC. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Contrôle technique d’une voiture (catégorie M1), Service Public (République française). Checked 11 October 2026.
- APK-plichtig voertuig? Regel de keuring op tijd, RDW. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Over de APK, RDW. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Real Decreto 920/2017, de 23 de octubre, por el que se regula la inspección técnica de vehículos, Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Revisione periodica veicoli, Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Kontrollbesiktning av personbil och lastbil som inte överstiger 3500 kg i totalvikt, Transportstyrelsen. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Når kan du ta EU-kontroll?, Statens vegvesen. Checked 11 October 2026.
- EU-kontroll, Statens vegvesen. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Bilsyn, borger.dk. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Getting an MOT, GOV.UK. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Safety certificates, Queensland Government. Checked 11 October 2026.
- Safety standards certificate, Government of Ontario. Checked 11 October 2026.
Next steps
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