Technical inspection of a passenger car

Verified 15 December 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You bought a car and wonder when and where to do the roadworthiness test and what is the price? You want to know what functions are being monitored and how to do it if a failure is detected? This page tells you what you need to know about roadworthiness testing.

A private vehicle (VP) whose PTAC: titleContent is less than or equal to 3,5 tons is subject to technical inspection, whether thermal, hybrid or electric.

Tableau - Vehicles subject to roadworthiness tests or exempted from roadworthiness tests

Type of vehicle

Compulsory roadworthiness tests?

Private vehicle (VP)

Yes

Utility

Yes

Motorhome with a maximum total authorized laden weight (TCAW) of 3,5 t

Yes

Motorhome with a PTAC of more than 3,5 t

Yes

Heavyweight

Yes

Collection vehicle put into circulation from 1960

Yes

Collection vehicle used as a chauffeur-driven transport car (VTC)

Yes

Collection vehicle put into circulation before 1960 and with a PTAC of 3,5 t maximum

No

Collection vehicle with a PTAC greater than 3,5 t

No

Unlicensed car

No

Motorcycle, 2 wheels and 3 wheels

No

Motor quadricycle

No

Caravan with a PTAC of 3,5 tons or less

No

Agricultural tractor

No

Trailer with a PTAC of 3.5 tons or less not used for dangerous goods transport

No

Car registered in the diplomatic service or equivalent

No

Car registered in the FFECSA series (French Forces and civil elements stationed in Germany)

No

Roadworthiness tests shall cover all private vehicles (VP).

The 1er check is to be made within 6 months before 4e anniversary of the 1re putting into service of the vehicle.

No summons are sent. Control is at your initiative.

Example :

For a vehicle put into circulation on 1er october 2019, 1er roadworthiness test to take place between 1er April 2023 and September 30, 2023.

The date of the next check will depend on the outcome of this 1er control.

Roadworthiness tests shall not relieve the vehicle owner of the obligation to to keep in good working order and in satisfactory condition for maintenance.

In any accredited center in France.

Carte grise You must present the original certificate of registration (new name of the except in certain situations.

Fees are at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.

The price periodic technical inspection and counter-inspection services are center-specific variables.

They must be displayed at the main entrance of the center in a visible and legible manner.

The prices are classified by type of energy : petrol, diesel, gas, hybrid, electric.

You can use a online service to find out the prices charged by the technical inspection centers.

To know the prices charged by the technical inspection centers

Infographie - Functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car
Illustration X - Functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Illustration X
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The functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car are as follows:

· Vehicle identification. For example, license plate.

· Braking equipment. For example, platelets, disks.

· Management. For example, steering wheel, housing.

· Visibility. For example, windshields, mirrors.

· Lights, reflectors and electrical equipment

· Axles, wheels, tires, suspension

· Chassis and chassis accessories

· Other equipment. For example, seat belts, horn.

· Nuisances: pollution, noise level

Functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car

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Functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Crédits: Service Public (DILA)Infographie - Functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car

The functions checked during the roadworthiness test of a car are as follows:

· Vehicle identification. For example, license plate.

· Braking equipment. For example, platelets, disks.

· Management. For example, steering wheel, housing.

· Visibility. For example, windshields, mirrors.

· Lights, reflectors and electrical equipment

· Axles, wheels, tires, suspension

· Chassis and chassis accessories

· Other equipment. For example, seat belts, horn.

· Nuisances: pollution, noise level

The controller should check 133 checkpoints concerning the following functions:

  • Identification of the vehicle: vehicle documents, registration plate...
  • Equipment for braking : platelets, disks...
  • Direction : steering wheel, housing...
  • Visibility : windshield, mirrors...
  • Lights, reflective devices and electrical equipment (in particular those of an electric vehicle such as the battery, the charging cable, the tractor battery box, etc.)
  • Axles, wheels, tires, suspension
  • Chassis and chassis accessories
  • Other equipment: safety belts, horn (audible warning device)...
  • Nuisance : pollution, noise level

At each controlled point, a severity level is indicated if a failure is found.

  • Minor failure : no impact on the safety of the vehicle or the environment
  • Major Failure : could endanger the safety of the vehicle, have a negative impact on the environment or endanger other road users
  • Critical Failure : constituting a direct and immediate danger to road safety or having a serious effect on the environment

In case of major or critical failure, a new control, called counter-visitis to be done after making the necessary repairs.

The points checked during a counter-visit depend on the major and critical deficiencies found during the previous inspection.

The date of the next check depends on deficiencies found during roadworthiness tests.

Tableau - Result of the roadworthiness test based on deficiencies found

Deficiencies found

Advice

Validity of the check

Prescription of a counter-visit

Absence of major and critical failure

Favorable (A)

2 years from audit

No counter-visit

At least one major failure

Unfavorable (S)

2 months from inspection

Mandatory within 2 months of roadworthiness testing

At least one critical failure

Unfavorable (R)

Day of inspection

If the vehicle is subject to a counter-inspection, the favorable counter-inspection shall be valid for 2 years from date of the unfavorable periodic technical inspection at the origin of the counter-inspection.

You are not required to make a counter-visit to the approved center where the deficiencies were found.

The counter-visit can be carried out in any approved center in France.

You are given a report after each roadworthiness test.

The minutes shall include the following points:

  • Nature of the control (periodic technical inspection, counter-inspection)
  • Date of control
  • Outcome control (favorable, unfavorable for major failure, unfavorable for critical failure)
  • Limit of validity of control
  • Nature of the next check (periodic inspection, counter-inspection)
  • Identification of the center control and controller
  • Identification of the vehicle
  • Mileage record
  • Information on unfavorable roadworthiness tests
  • Failures and Severity Levels (critical, major, minor, mileage recorded in roadworthiness since May 20, 2018, comments)
  • Measurements taken

Carte grise The controller puts on the stamp indicating the result control and its deadline :

  • Letter A : Result favorable
  • Letter S : Unfavorable result for major failures
  • Letter R : Unfavorable result for critical failures

The controller shall place on the vehicle a thumbnail which indicates the expiry date of the check carried out.

It shall no longer be possible to include the following in the report of the roadworthiness test non-rolling vehicle.

FYI  

the modification of the vehicle registration shall not affect the validity of the roadworthiness test. For example, following the registration of a second-hand vehicle.

Owners of private vehicles who fail to comply with roadworthiness requirements shall be liable to a fine of up to €750.

As a general rule, it is a flat-rate fine of €135.

In the event of control by the police (police or gendarmerie), a detention order can be taken.

Carte grise In this case, the driver's registration certificate (new name of the vehicle) shall be used.

A valid movement record 7 days it is given to him to do the roadworthiness test.

Carte grise In order to retrieve the vehicle, the driver must submit to the police or gendarmerie the report of the roadworthiness test attesting to its satisfactory result.

In the event of a dispute as to the result of the roadworthiness test, the means of appeal are displayed in the center who issued the report.