Does a new car need an inspection every year?
It does not — and this is a widespread misunderstanding. A new passenger car must have its first technical inspection no later than 36 months after first registration. The next three inspections must each take place no later than 24 months after the previous one, and only after that does inspection become annual. The cost: for an M1 passenger car the inspection is €34.10 plus €2.85 for the road-use permission — €36.95 in total. A repeat inspection is €18.54 plus €2.85, or €21.39. The fine for driving without a valid inspection is €55–120.
📋 The rules
- A new car's first inspection: within 36 months
- The next three: every 24 months
- Only then does inspection become annual
- M1 inspection: €34.10 + €2.85 = €36.95
- Fine without a valid inspection: €55–120
🔓 Exceptions
- Motorcycles and trailers up to 3.5 t have their first inspection within 24 months
- Goods vehicles over 3.5 t and ambulances: first inspection within 12 months
- Buses and driving-school cars follow a stricter schedule, sometimes every six months
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The driver faces €55–120 — but not only the driver. A person or company that allowed an uninspected vehicle to be used can face a separate fine of €70–140. The offence can be recorded automatically — no more than once every 24 hours, but each day without an inspection is a fresh penalty. And the worst outcome is not money: where a dangerous defect is found, the road-use permission is not issued — the car may not lawfully continue in traffic until the defect is fixed. If the inspection has expired, a one-day permit costs €4.31, but it is for the journey to the inspection station only — not a general day of ordinary driving.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How often is an inspection needed?
A new passenger car has its first inspection within 36 months of registration, then the next three every 24 months. Only after that does it become annual. It is not yearly from the day you buy it.
What does an inspection cost?
For an M1 passenger car, €34.10 plus €2.85 for the road-use permission — €36.95 in total. A repeat inspection costs €18.54 plus €2.85, or €21.39 altogether.
What is the fine for an expired inspection?
For the driver, €55–120. A person or company that allowed the vehicle to be used without a valid inspection can face a separate fine of €70 to €140.
What is the one-day permit?
An electronic permit costing €4.31 for the journey to the nearest inspection station. It is not a general one-day extension for ordinary driving — that is a common and costly misreading.
Did the price change?
Yes. From 1 March 2025 the standard M1 inspection charge rose from €29.40 to €34.10, not counting the separate road-use permission fee charged on top.
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