The vehicle technical inspection – how much it costs and what you should know about it

What is a technical vehicle inspection?

A technical vehicle inspection, also known as registration inspection, is a procedure that assesses the technical condition of a vehicle with the aim of admitting it to road traffic for a specified period of time, usually 12 months. This process involves a thorough inspection of the vehicle, including checking systems such as brakes, lighting, suspension, and the exhaust system.

According to the regulations, each vehicle must undergo a technical inspection within a specific time frame, and the frequency depends on the age and type of vehicle. These inspections are regulated by relevant ministerial regulations, which determine both the scope of the inspection and the related fees.

What systems are checked during the technical inspection?

During a vehicle inspection, a diagnostician checks a number of systems and components to make sure the vehicle can safely participate in road traffic. The following elements, in particular, are checked:

• steering system: connections, degree of wear, idle range
• brakes: effectiveness and smoothness of operation
• suspension: play in metal-rubber elements
• tires: tread depth and general wear condition
• lighting: condition of the headlights and the position of the lights
• bodywork: condition of windows, frames and sills
• seat belts: technical condition and functionality
• mandatory equipment: presence and condition of equipment such as a warning triangle and fire extinguisher
• exhaust system: technical condition, measuring the noise level and the emission of gaseous pollutants

Additionally, from November 1, 2022, diagnosticians must also check the eCall system in vehicles equipped with it.

Where should periodic vehicle inspections be carried out?

Vehicle inspections can be carried out at authorized vehicle inspection stations. In Poland, these stations are divided into basic and district stations. Basic vehicle inspection stations are authorized to carry out technical inspections of vehicles with a total permissible weight up to 3.5 tons and light trailers.

In turn, district stations carry out tests of all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses and historic vehicles, before their first registration in Poland. An important aspect is the lack of regionalization, which means that the vehicle owner can choose any station throughout the country, regardless of where the vehicle was registered.

How long does a technical vehicle inspection take?

The average vehicle inspection lasts approximately 30 minutes. However, this time may vary depending on the type of vehicle and the number of tests performed. For example, checking additional equipment, such as an LPG installation or a towbar, may extend the test time.

There is usually no need to register for a vehicle inspection in advance. Just arrive at the vehicle inspection station and wait in the designated place. Some stations have the option to make an appointment for a specific date, which may be beneficial in larger cities where the demand for vehicle inspections is greater.

How much does a technical inspection cost?

The cost of a vehicle inspection is strictly regulated and depends on the type of vehicle and any additional procedures.

• Passenger cars up to 3.5T: standard technical inspection costs PLN 99.
• Vehicles with LPG/CNG installation: the price for the inspection is PLN 162 (PLN 99 for the basic inspection and PLN 63 for the additional inspection of the gas installation).
• Vehicles over 3.5 tons up to 16 tons GVW: the cost of the inspection is PLN 153.
• Trucks with a GVW above 16 tons: the cost of the inspection is PLN 176.
• Vehicles that were in a road collision or sent for inspection by inspection authorities: additional fees of PLN 20 for each inspected element.

Checking the validity of a vehicle’s technical inspection

The validity and date of the next technical vehicle inspection can be checked in the vehicle registration certificate, where the diagnostician enters the date of the last inspection and its validity date. Additionally, you can verify this information online through the CEPiK system, which collects data on all vehicles registered in Poland.

Can the vehicle technical inspection be done earlier?

According to the regulations, a vehicle technical inspection can be carried out 30 days before the deadline for the next inspection. This option is particularly beneficial for vehicle owners who plan longer trips or want to avoid the risk of exceeding the vehicle inspection expiry date.

Negative result of the technical inspection – can you drive?

Receiving a negative result of the technical inspection means that the vehicle does not meet the technical requirements and cannot be admitted to road traffic. In this case, the vehicle owner has to immediately remove the identified defects and re-submit the vehicle for testing.

Driving a vehicle with a negative test result is illegal and may lead to serious legal consequences, including high fines and the possibility of withholding the registration certificate by the police.

Consequences of not having a valid technical inspection

If the vehicle is stopped for inspection by the police or the Road Transport Inspection and the technical inspection turns out to be “overdue”, the driver may be subject to a fine ranging from PLN 1,500 to PLN 5,000. Additionally, officers have the right to retain the vehicle’s registration certificate, which entails that the vehicle needs to undergo a  technical inspection as soon as possible.

If the registration certificate is retained, the vehicle owner receives a document allowing them to drive to the nearest vehicle inspection station, where they must carry out the required inspection within 7 days.

Vehicle inspections in brief

Conducting technical inspections on time is not only the responsibility of every vehicle owner, but above all an important element ensuring road safety. Regular technical inspections are a sort of safety guarantee for all road users. Vehicle inspection stations very often remind drivers about the upcoming expiry of the technical inspection, which makes it difficult to forget to do the inspection on time.