General information
General overview
Vehicles are eligible for operation in road traffic if they pass a main roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung, HU) and an exhaust emissions test (Abgasuntersuchung, AU). Roadworthiness of a vehicle is attested by a certificate issued by the testing organisation or business and by a sticker (Prüfplakette). There is no specific form for the roadworthiness certificate. The sticker must be attached to the rear number plate. The sticker indicates the due date of the next inspection. The number in the middle represents the year. The number at the top indicates the month. The colour of the sticker changes each year according to a seven-year sequence.
Test frequency
|
Catergories of vehicle |
First mandatory test |
Subsequent tests |
|
M1 |
Within three years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
Motorcycles |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
O1 |
Within three years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
O2 |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
O3 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
O4 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
Motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes |
Within three years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
Motorhomes between 3.5 and 7.7 tonnes |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years and every year from the seventh year |
|
Motorhomes more than 7.5 tonnes |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Annually |
|
N1 |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
N2 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
N3 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
N3 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
M2, M3 |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
Taxis, passenger transport or rental vehicles |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
Exemptions: Certain motor vehicles are exempt from the exhaust emissions test (AU), depending on their type of construction, intended use or initial registration.
Examples:
- Vehicles with short-term licence plates, red licence plates and vehicles out of service
- All motor vehicles (except motorcycles and trikes) first registered before 01/07/1969 with a positive-ignition engine
- All vehicles (except motorcycles) first registered before 01/01/1977 with a compression-ignition engine
- Motorcycles, trikes, large quad bikes (over 350 kg empty weight) with a diesel engine or first registered before 01/01/1989 with a positive-ignition engine
- All motor vehicles with positive-ignition engines and fewer than four wheels, a gross weight of less than 400 kg or a design speed of less than 50 km/h
- All vehicles with compression ignition engines and fewer than four wheels or a design speed of less than 25km/h
- Land or forestry tractors (including single-axle vehicles)
- Forklift trucks
- Self-propelled machines
Responsible authorities
Documents are issued by testing organisations recognised by the German Länder, e.g. TÜV Süd, TÜV Nord, GTÜ, BMVI, KÜS and garages.
Websites
Examples:
TÜV SÜD www.tuev-sued.de (German and English)
GTÜ www.gtue.de (German and English)
Major changes
As of 20/05/2018, the provisions of Directive 2014/45/EU on roadworthiness tests (HU) and the assessment of vehicle defects come into force under article 29, Annexes VIII and VIIIa of the German Road Traffic Registration Regulation (StVZO).
