Vehicle: Main inspection (HU/TÜV)

In order to ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition in accordance with the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), it must be subjected to a general inspection (HU) at regular intervals. Your vehicle will be checked by an expert or test engineer to determine any defects. After the examination, you will receive a detailed test report.

You have the option of having your technical inspection carried out at various technical inspection centres and officially recognised inspection organisations.

Some of them carry out the tests on site in specialist workshops / car dealerships.

The legislator prescribes the following deadlines for the main inspection (HU):

Type of vehicle

Months until the next HU after 1st HU

Months until the first technical inspection after initial registration

AUTOMOBILE

24

36

Motorcycles, including light motorcycles

24

24

Trailer, gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 t and caravan

24

24

Caravans/motorhomes under 3.5 t

24

36

Motor caravans and trucks
permissible gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 t

24

24

Motor caravans, motorhomes and trucks
permissible gross vehicle weight from 3.5 to 7.5 t

12

24

Motor caravans, motorhomes and trucks
permissible gross vehicle weight over 7.5 t

12

12

The HU test report must be kept in accordance with §29 (10) StVZO and submitted to the registration authority whenever the vehicle documents are dealt with. If the vehicle is passed on (e.g. sale, donation), it must be handed over to the purchaser. If you have lost or misplaced your HU test report, you are obliged to either obtain a duplicate (from the institution that carried out the HU) or you must have a new HU carried out at your own expense. The inspection sticker on the license plate or the HU stamp in the vehicle registration document alone are not sufficient proof of a valid main inspection.