DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Main inspection of your German rental fleet every 12 months
German vehicles rented out commercially without a driver, and not registered to the hirer, must pass the periodic inspection (HU) every twelve months in all cases; for rentals of a year or more the normal intervals apply (StVZO Annex VIII No. 2.2). The keeper presents the vehicle by the month on the sticker.
Keepers of vehicles that require registration must have them inspected at their own cost at regular intervals under Annex VIII (Section 29(1) of the German Road Vehicle Registration and Licensing Regulations, StVZO). Where vehicles subject to inspection are rented out commercially without a driver and are not registered to the renter, the main inspection (Hauptuntersuchung, HU) interval is twelve months in all cases (Annex VIII no. 2.2 sentence 1). This also applies to cars that would otherwise first need an HU after 36 months and then every 24 months (no. 2.1.2.1).
If one renter rents the vehicle for at least one year, the interval is 36 months for cars under no. 2.1.2.1 and 24 months for trucks up to 3.5 t under no. 2.1.4.1 (no. 2.2 sentence 2). If the rental contract is later shortened to less than one year, the interval is twelve months in all cases again (no. 2.2 sentence 3). No. 2.2 only covers the main inspection; the safety check (Sicherheitsprüfung) intervals for heavy trucks, trailers and buses are in the table in no. 2.1.
The period until the next HU starts with the month and year of the last HU and ends at the end of the month shown on the inspection sticker (no. 2.3). The keeper or their agent must present the vehicle by the end of that month (no. 3.1.2). The sticker becomes invalid at the end of the month shown (Section 29(7) sentence 1).
At a glance
| Rented out commercially without driver | HU every 12 months, in all cases (Annex VIII no. 2.2 sentence 1) |
|---|---|
| One renter for a year or more, car | 36 months (no. 2.2 sentence 2 no. 1) |
| One renter for a year or more, truck up to 3.5 t | 24 months (no. 2.2 sentence 2 no. 2) |
| Contract later shortened below one year | Back to 12 months (no. 2.2 sentence 3) |
| Start and end of the period | From month/year of the last HU to the end of the sticker month (no. 2.3) |
| Major defects | Repair and present for re-check within one month of the HU (no. 3.1.4.3) |
| Inspection report | Keep until the next HU (Section 29(10)) |
Who is responsible?
The keeper has the vehicle inspected and presents it by the end of the sticker month (Section 29(1) StVZO, Annex VIII no. 3.1.2). The keeper keeps the inspection report at least until the next main inspection and hands it over to the competent persons on request (Section 29(10)).
If the deadline passes
Breaching Section 29(1) sentence 1 in conjunction with no. 2.1 or 2.2 of Annex VIII on main inspections is an administrative offence (Section 69a(2) no. 14 StVZO). If a vehicle has no valid inspection sticker, the competent authority can prohibit or restrict its use on public roads until one is fitted (Section 29(7) sentence 4).
Passenger transport under the PBefG is a separate case
Cars used for passenger transport under the Passenger Transport Act also need the HU every twelve months under no. 2.1.2.2. No. 2.2, by contrast, covers vehicles rented out commercially without a driver.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add an entry for each rental vehicle and enter the end of the month shown on the inspection sticker as the date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself. That leaves time to take the vehicle off rent and book the inspection.
- The garage or inspection body can upload the inspection report through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the branch manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 12-month interval apply to ordinary rental cars?
- Yes. For vehicles rented out commercially without a driver and not registered to the renter, the HU interval is twelve months in all cases (Annex VIII no. 2.2 sentence 1 StVZO).
- What about long-term rentals?
- If one renter rents the vehicle for at least one year, the interval is 36 months for cars and 24 months for trucks up to 3.5 t. If the contract is later shortened to under one year, twelve months apply again (no. 2.2 sentences 2 and 3).
- What if a young rental car is sold?
- If the keeper of a car under no. 2.2 changes within the first seven months after first registration and an HU has been carried out, the second HU is due after 36 months (no. 2.1.2.1.1).
- By when must the vehicle be presented?
- By the end of the month shown on the inspection sticker at the latest (Annex VIII no. 3.1.2, Section 29(7) StVZO).
Sources
- Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO) Anlage VIII: Untersuchung der Fahrzeuge (Nr. 2.1 bis 2.4, 3.1.2, 3.1.4)
- StVZO § 29 Untersuchung der Kraftfahrzeuge und Anhänger
- StVZO § 69a Ordnungswidrigkeiten (Abs. 2 Nr. 14)
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each roadworthiness test for rental vehicles (HU, 12 months) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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