Technical inspection in 2026: rules, deadlines and fees
Which cars need inspection this year, what it costs, and how to book a slot online instead of queueing at the station.
Technical inspection is the one ownership deadline that catches people by surprise: the reminder does not come by mail, and driving past the due date is a fine the road cameras collect automatically.
Who needs inspection this year
The schedule depends on the vehicle's age:
- Cars under 4 years old — no inspection required.
- Cars 4 to 10 years old — every two years.
- Cars over 10 years old — every year.
The count runs from the manufacture year on the VIN plate, not from the registration date. Taxis and commercial vehicles follow a stricter annual schedule regardless of age.
What the station checks
The inspection itself takes about twenty minutes when the car is in order:
- Brakes on the roller stand — the most common failure point.
- Headlight aim and condition.
- Exhaust emissions against the class norm.
- Tyres, steering play, and visible chassis condition.
A failed item does not mean a fine — you get a re-check window to fix it. The fine only applies to driving with an expired inspection.
Booking and fees
Slots at official stations can be booked online, and the fee depends on vehicle class — passenger cars sit at the bottom of the scale. Bring the registration certificate; the station pulls everything else from the plate.
Check your car's due date before the season peaks: stations fill up in December, when everyone remembers at once.
Guides and market analysis from the Autogo team, checked against the current legal schedule before publishing.
