FAQs
Everything you ever wanted to know about the periodic technical inspection (PTI)
Drivers ask, TÜV NORD Mobility answers
- How will the periodic technical inspection change on 01 July 2012?
- How can I tell when I need to have a periodic technical inspection?
- What do I require for the main inspection?
- Do I have to register for the periodic technical inspection?
- What happens if I don't have the main inspection in time?
- What do I do if the periodic technical inspection date for vehicles with seasonal license plates is outside of the operating period?
- Can I extend the one-month period for re-inspection?
- By how long can I extend the periodic technical inspection date?
- Can I have the periodic technical inspection carried out abroad?
- What changes relate to the periodic technical inspection reform?
How will the periodic technical inspection change on 01 July 2012?
The periodic technical inspection (PTI) will be brought in line with further developments in vehicle and testing technology on 1 July 2012. The aim is to ensure the efficiency and high quality of the PTI taking modern vehicle safety systems fully into consideration, and therefore to improve road safety.
Overview of the most important new features
The safety-relevant electronic vehicle systems of all vehicles newly registered as from 1. July 2012 will be tested, for example the vehicle stabilisation system. A special inspection adaptor will be used as from 2013 which will be connected to the diagnostic interface of the vehicle. Use of the inspection adaptor will mean that it can be established fast and reliably if all the safety systems installed in the vehicle by the original manufacturer are still present and in full working order. This is intended to ensure that the safety level of a vehicle remains intact over its entire useful life.
As from 1 July vehicle owners will also receive a description of the defects found in their vehicle which is standardised throughout the whole of Germany. In this description the defective vehicle component and the defect are stated, along with the location of the component within the vehicle. Based on this clear description you will be able to understand the results of the inspection clearly and, for example, place a very precise order for repair with your repair workshop.
It is also intended that in addition to defects, defects that are likely to occur in the near future can also be noted in the inspection report if appropriate. However, such notes do not influence the award of the inspection sticker.
The new arrangements also means that as from July, backdating of the sticker will be replaced by an extended inspection. An extended inspection will always be demanded if the deadline for the inspection is exceeded by more than two months. The extended inspection is 20% more expensive than the normal inspection.
How can I tell when I need to have a periodic technical inspection?
The date for your next periodic technical inspection is shown in your registration document. At the same time, the date is also on the round inspection sticker on your rear license plate: The number in the middle of the sticker is the year of the next main inspection and the number pointing vertically upwards is the month.
For de-registered vehicles, the date can only be the one in the de-registration document or the last inspection report.
If you already have new EU vehicle documents, the main inspection date is in the vehicle license part I (new registration document), which is no longer adhered to following de-registration.
What do I require for the periodic technical inspection?
- The registration document (Fahrzeugschein), the vehicle title document (Fahrzeugbrief) for de-registered vehicles and, if available, the vehicle licence part I (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I - new registration document)
- In the event of a re-inspection, the inspection report for the previous periodic technical inspection
- If appropriate, the test certificates or modification acceptance documents for added parts such as special wheels, lower suspension springs and accessory steering wheels insofar as these have not been entered into the vehicle documents.
Do I have to register in advance for the periodic technical inspection?
Our tip: The TÜV NORD appointment service with on-the-spot guarantee means long waits are a thing of the past. Simply make an appointment with the online appointment service at your local TÜV STATION.
Or call us: Toll-free service call number: 0800 80 70 600.
However, it is not absolutely necessary to book in advance.
What happens if I don't have the periodic technical inspection in time?
If you miss the periodic technical inspection date, you will have to pay a fine. But of course, the fine is not issued by the TÜV.
If the registration office notices that the periodic technical inspection has expired when registering a vehicle, you will receive a provisional registration with which you can take the car for the periodic technical inspection. The date for the next periodic technical inspection is not backdated in the case of de-registered vehicles.
If the vehicle has been de-registered for longer than 84 months, you should clarify with the registration office whether a periodic technical inspection is sufficient or whether you require a complete vehicle acceptance test.
What do I do if the periodic technical inspection date for vehicles with seasonal license plates is outside of the operating period?
The periodic technical inspection must then be carried out in the first month of the operating period.
Can I extend the one-month period for re-inspection?
The law states that you must remedy potential faults and have the vehicle re-inspected within one month of the periodic technical inspection. If this is a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday, the re-inspection must take place on the next working day. No further extension is permitted.
By how long can I extend the periodic technical inspection date?
You cannot extend the periodic technical inspection. The vehicle owner is responsible for adhering to the given deadlines. The fines for missing a main inspection are as follows:
For cars, motorcycles, light trailers (vehicles not subject to safety inspections):
- Two to four months: € 15,--
- Between four and eight months: € 25,--
- More than eight months: € 40 and 2 points in Flensburg
For commercial vehicles requiring a safety inspection:
- Up to two months: € 15,--
- Between two and four months: € 25,--
- Between four and eight months: € 40 and 1 point in Flensburg
- More than eight months: € 75 and 2 points in Flensburg
If serious defects are identified during the periodic technical inspection or the safety inspection and you have exceeded the one-month re-inspection deadline, you could face a fine of € 15.
At TÜV, we do not issue a fine in the event of non-adherence to the periodic technical inspection deadline.
Can I have the periodic technical inspection carried out abroad?
You can only have the periodic technical inspection carried out within the Federal Republic of Germany. Should your periodic technical inspection sticker expire during a longer trip abroad, you should take the expired test sticker to your nearest TÜV-STATION as soon as possible after crossing the border back into Germany. We recommend making an appointment in this case.
What changes relate to the periodic technical inspection reform?
Electronic vehicle systems
Modern vehicles include ever more safety- and environment-related vehicle installations with electronic components such as ABS, airbags and management devices. Innovative assistance systems such as active stability systems, braking support, active steering systems, distance warning devices and swivelling lights are increasingly common.
These systems only function if electronic control units, sensors, actuators and electronic contacts and wiring are in perfect condition.
This technical development is also reflected in the road traffic regulations: Safety-relevant electronic vehicle components/systems must be regularly inspected.
For vehicles with on-board diagnostics (OBD vehicles), we inspect the system data for the following eight electronic vehicle components/systems:
| Components/systems | Examples |
| Braking system | ABS, electro-mechanical parking brake, braking assistant |
| Steering system | Electronically-controlled variable power assist (active steering), electro-mechanical steering |
| Active lighting installations | Adaptive lighting, sivelling lights, automatic headlight adjustment, adaptive braking lights, automatic light activation |
| Seat belts and other retaining systems | Automatic belt ttensioners, pre-safe when identifying accident risk (return of seats to uupright position, raise headrests, close windows, etc.) |
| Airbags | Front, side, head and knee airbags, airbag control and activation/deactivation depending on the seat occupant |
| Dynamic roll-over protection | In the event of accident risk (parameters: deceleration, roll and pitch angles), automatic deployment of the roll-over bar in convertibles |
| Speed governors | Max. speed governors, speed control systems |
| Drive-dynamic control systems with brake system intervention | Electronic stability program (ESP), automatic locking differential (ASD), active speed control (cruise control), automatic slip control (ASR) |
The system data can include:
- Installation and position information as well as identification features
- Error codes
- Defined testing processes
- Measurement values for physical variables
- Manipulation-proof displays
The following tests are possible for electronic components/systems:
- Identification and version control of components (control devices, OBD, bus systems)
- Comparison with reference data (mesaurement values, displays)
- Working according to a prescribed testing algorithm, e.g.
- Switching the ignition on and off in a set sequence, taking the specified activation/deactivation of status indicator lamps into account
- Activation of pedals, steering wheel and switches switches in a specific sequence
- Noting the reactions of the dashboard displays and the activation/deactivation of status indicator lamps
- test drive at walking speed (max. 8 km/h)
Read-out of the error memories is currently not planned for the periodic technical inspection.
The system data inspection is designed to ensure that:
- All mandatory safety systems have been installed
- The correct versions of the electronics and programs are present
- The systems function safely and flawlessly
Be better informed:
PTI brochure
Available for download in PDF format (in GERMAN).
