Technical inspection of light commercial vehicles

Light commercial vehicles (pick-up trucks and vans) must undergo a technical inspection every year, as soon as they are put on the road. This is mandatory. The technical inspection certificate will indicate the next inspection date. Each transformation or adaptation is linked to a specific technical check (see below).

If there is a problem with a technical check, the certificate will give a date for when you need to revisit and have the repair checked or undergo a compliance inspection. If this period is exceeded by 2 months, you will be out of time and the revisit will become a new full check.

It is important to realise that vehicles used for rental with a driver or for professional driving lessons (driving school) must undergo a periodic technical inspection every 6 months.

• The first visit will focus on checking the registration. There will also be a weigh-in. This will not be necessary afterwards, unless the vehicle is converted.
• The points that are checked during the periodic technical inspection are:
  • On-board documents and registration
  • Environmental control (smoke for diesel, CO and lambda value for gasoline and LPG)
  • Mechanical control (brakes, lights, steering, axles, chassis, bodywork, visibility, safety and accessories)
• If you have a towing hitch, and if it is original, it will be checked as part of the first technical inspection when the vehicle is first put on the road. However, if the device is added afterwards, you must present the vehicle to the technical inspection centre on your own initiative. The centre will weigh the vehicle and a new identification report will be drawn up. Then, with each periodic inspection, the hitch device must be present, mounted and complete. Otherwise, you will get a red card (mandatory revisit within 15 days).
• Any commercial vehicle running on LPG or CNG is subject to a specific test. In the case of a factory-fitted engine system, it will be checked at the first visit. However, if the modification is made afterwards, you will need to go for a technical check on your own initiative. In the event of a CNG or LPG system malfunction, the vehicle will not be allowed on the road except to go to the repair garage. A tare check of the vehicle (weighing) will also be performed. A new, custom identification report will be prepared.
• Any transformation of the vehicle must be subject to a technical inspection to verify compliance with safety regulations. The vehicle will be weighed to verify the tare. The inspectors will write a new identification report.
• A technical inspection is also compulsory when importing a vehicle, after an accident, or when reselling a light commercial vehicle, as is the case for a car.