Technical inspection

Vehicle

All road vehicles registered in Luxembourg must undergo a compulsory periodic technical inspection at a roadworthiness testing centre approved by the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works (MMTP).

Technical inspections for road vehicles are laid down by the amended law of 14 February 1955 on the regulation of traffic on all public roads (loi modifiée du 14 février 1955 concernant la réglementation de la circulation sur toutes les voies publiques), and by its amended Grand Ducal regulation of 26 January 2016 on technical inspections for road vehicles.

In accordance with article 4ter of the aforementioned law of 14 February 1955, only technical inspection bodies approved by the MDDI are authorised to carry out technical inspections.

The following documents must be provided when a vehicle undergoes a technical inspection:

  • the RC motor insurance certificate (green card);
  • part I of the registration certificate (grey card);
  • the tax vignette;
  • the certificate of conformity (for vehicles put into circulation for the first time from 1 February 2016);
  • the latest certificate of technical inspection (if available).

 

The technical inspection body is entitled to refuse access to the technical inspection if the required on-board documents are not presented.

The following registered vehicles are not subject to periodic technical inspections:

  • small trailers (maximum authorised mass less than 750 kg);
  • mopeds and light quadricycles;
  • tractors and mobile machines with a maximum speed limited to 40 km/h, with an unladen mass exceeding 600 kg and which are not intended to exceed 25 km/h when towing one or more other vehicles;
  • historic vehicles first put into circulation before 1 January 1950.

However, these vehicles must carry a compliance sticker issued by the National Automobile Traffic Company (Société nationale de circulation automobile - SNCA).

Organisation of technical inspections

Notification of the periodic inspection is sent by post approximately 8 weeks before the expiry date of the technical inspection certificate.

Car owners also have the option of taking their vehicle to a repair workshop that is approved to carry out technical inspections. The inspection is then carried out by inspectors from one of the approved roadworthiness testing bodies.

Deadlines for compulsory technical inspections

The technical inspection must be carried out:

  • before putting back into service a vehicle that has undergone modifications to the technical characteristics of the approved production model (e.g. tuning);
  • after a major repair (wheels, suspension, deformation zones, steering, brakes, airbags, etc.) following an accident;
  • after a repair or conversion of the chassis;
  • on special invitation if an insurance company's expert has noted a technical defect in a component that could affect the vehicle's performance) following an accident;
  • as part of periodic inspections;
  • by special invitation if the police have found during an inspection that:
    - the vehicle does not comply with the approved technical specifications;
    - there is an obvious technical defect in the vehicle.

Technical inspection frequency

The deadlines for technical inspection on cars (including driving schools and hire cars), motorbikes and trailers (maximum authorised mass between 750 kg and 3,500 kg) are as follows:

  • for the 1st periodic inspection: 4 years after the vehicle is first put into circulation;
  • for the 2nd periodic inspection: 6 years after the vehicle is first put into circulation;
  • every year for subsequent periodic inspections.

The following are subject to annual technical inspection:

  • trucks and trailers weighing more than 3,500 kg;
  • vans;
  • vehicles intended for passenger transport and comprising no more than 9 seats, including the driver's seat, registered as taxis, hire cars or ambulances.

In the event of a failed technical inspection

If the vehicle inspected is refused on the grounds of one or more non-compliances with the Highway Code, the owner is required to carry out repairs or bring the vehicle back into compliance.

In this case, a test certificate valid for 4 weeks will be issued. The vehicle owner is required to remedy the irregularities and report for an additional technical inspection before the 4-week period expires.

During this period, the certificate covers the vehicle in Luxembourg on the following route:

  • between the control centre and the place where the vehicle will be immobilised, repaired, brought into conformity or destroyed;
  • between the inspection centre and the registered office or residence of the owner or keeper of the vehicle;
  • between the registered office or residence of the owner or keeper of the vehicle and the place where the vehicle will be immobilised, repaired, brought into conformity or destroyed.

Once the defects have been rectified or the non-conformities rectified, a new technical inspection certificate will be issued.

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