When does the safety check become mandatory?

For trucks and tractor units over 7.5 t up to 12 t after the first 36 months; for those over 12 t and for trailers over 10 t after the first 24 months from first entry into service. From then on every 6 months, counted from the last HU (StVZO Annex VIII, point 2.1).

Who may carry out the SP?

Officially recognised experts or examiners, inspection engineers of a recognised inspection organisation, and workshops recognised under Annex VIIIc (Annex VIII, points 3.2.1 and 3.2.2).

Can the SP be done early?

Yes, in the month immediately before the month shown on the test mark with the SP plate. This does not change the intervals for the following safety checks (point 2.4).

What happens if the SP deadline is missed?

An HU combined with a safety check must then be carried out; exceeding the deadline by up to one month is allowed only if the inspection body could not carry out the check despite a timely order and confirms this in the test report (point 2.4). Without a valid test mark the authority can prohibit the vehicle's use (Section 29(7)).

How long must the test report be kept?

At least until the next safety check; on request it must be handed over together with the HU report (Section 29(10)).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

The safety check for heavy trucks and trailers: never miss a month

German trucks over 7.5 t and trailers over 10 t need a safety check (SP) every six months after an initial 36 or 24 months, counted from the last periodic inspection (StVZO Annex VIII No. 2.1). The keeper presents the vehicle by the month on the test mark; after that a full HU plus SP is required (No. 2.4).

Keepers of vehicles that require registration must have them inspected at regular intervals at their own expense in accordance with Annex VIII of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (Section 29(1) StVZO). In addition to the main inspection (Hauptuntersuchung, HU), heavy vehicles need a safety check (Sicherheitsprüfung, SP): a visual, performance and function test of the chassis and running gear, coupling device, steering, tyres, wheels and brakes (Annex VIII, point 1.3.1).

The intervals are set out in Annex VIII, point 2.1, and the SP intervals are counted from the last HU. Trucks and tractor units with a permissible total mass over 7.5 t up to 12 t need no SP in the first 36 months after they are first put into service, then one every 6 months (point 2.1.4.3). Vehicles over 12 t and trailers over 10 t need one every 6 months after the first 24 months (points 2.1.4.4 and 2.1.5.4). Buses with more than eight passenger seats need an SP every 6 months from the 12th to the 36th month and every 3 months (3/6/9) after that (point 2.1.3).

The SP period starts with the month and year of the last HU and ends at the end of the month shown by the test mark (Prüfmarke) on the SP plate. The SP may be carried out in the month immediately before without shifting the following intervals (point 2.4). After an SP without defects this is certified in the test report (Prüfprotokoll) and a test mark under Annex IXb is issued (point 3.2.3.1); the month and year of the next SP are noted in the test report (Section 29(6) no. 2).

Start free

At a glance

Trucks and tractor units over 7.5 t up to 12 t	No SP in the first 36 months, then every 6 months (Annex VIII, point 2.1.4.3)
Trucks and tractor units over 12 t	No SP in the first 24 months, then every 6 months (point 2.1.4.4)
Trailers over 10 t	No SP in the first 24 months, then every 6 months (point 2.1.5.4)
Buses (more than eight passenger seats)	Every 6 months from month 12 to 36, then every 3 months (point 2.1.3)
Trucks up to 7.5 t, trailers up to 10 t	No SP, HU only (points 2.1.4.1, 2.1.4.2, 2.1.5.1 to 2.1.5.3)
Period start and end	Month and year of the last HU; end of the month on the test mark (point 2.4)
Proof	Test mark with SP plate on the vehicle, test report kept by the keeper (Section 29(2) no. 2 and (10))

SP intervals are counted from the last main inspection (Annex VIII, point 2.1). With an HU every 12 months, the SP therefore falls 6 months after each HU. An HU carried out at the time of an SP does not replace the SP (point 3.2.4).

Who is responsible?

The vehicle keeper. The keeper must present the vehicle for the SP no later than the end of the period at a workshop recognised for this purpose, or to an officially recognised expert or examiner or an inspection engineer (Annex VIII, point 3.2.2). The keeper proves the month of the next SP with the test mark on the SP plate and must keep the test mark and SP plate in proper, uncovered condition (Section 29(2) no. 2 and (5)). The keeper receives the test report from the inspection body (Section 29(9)), keeps it at least until the next SP and hands it over together with the HU report on request to authorised persons and the authority; if it cannot be produced, the keeper must obtain a duplicate at their own expense or have a new SP carried out (Section 29(10)).

If the deadline passes

The test mark becomes invalid at the end of the month shown (Section 29(7)). If the SP deadline is missed, an HU combined with a safety check must be carried out instead of the SP. Only if the inspection body could not carry out the check in time despite an order placed in good time, and confirms this in the test report, may the deadline be exceeded by up to one month (Annex VIII, point 2.4). If a required SP cannot be shown at the HU, the HU is likewise combined with an SP (point 3.1.3). If a vehicle has no valid test mark, the competent authority can prohibit or restrict its use on public roads (Section 29(7)). Breaches of the rules on safety checks, on test marks and SP plates, and on keeping test reports are administrative offences (Section 69a(2) nos. 14, 15 and 16 StVZO).

Defects at the SP: one month for the re-check

If defects are found at the SP, the inspection body records them in the test report. The keeper must have them repaired without delay and present the vehicle with the test report for a re-check no later than one month after the day of the SP; after that, a new SP is due instead of a re-check (Annex VIII, point 3.2.3.2). Defects repaired on the spot are also recorded and the test mark is then issued (point 3.2.3.2.1). For defects that may cause an immediate road safety hazard, the test mark is removed and the registration authority is notified (point 3.2.3.3). If defects must be repaired before a new test mark is issued, the old one remains valid for one more month (Section 29(7)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each vehicle subject to the SP and enter the safety check with the month shown on the test mark. Use the last day of that month as the date, because the period ends when the month ends.
Keep the HU as a separate entry; after each HU, check the month of the next SP noted in the test report and adjust the SP entry.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each date and on the day itself. The 30-day reminder falls in the month in which the SP may already be brought forward.
Assign a responsible person to each vehicle, such as the fleet 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

When does the safety check become mandatory?: For trucks and tractor units over 7.5 t up to 12 t after the first 36 months; for those over 12 t and for trailers over 10 t after the first 24 months from first entry into service. From then on every 6 months, counted from the last HU (StVZO Annex VIII, point 2.1).
Who may carry out the SP?: Officially recognised experts or examiners, inspection engineers of a recognised inspection organisation, and workshops recognised under Annex VIIIc (Annex VIII, points 3.2.1 and 3.2.2).
Can the SP be done early?: Yes, in the month immediately before the month shown on the test mark with the SP plate. This does not change the intervals for the following safety checks (point 2.4).
What happens if the SP deadline is missed?: An HU combined with a safety check must then be carried out; exceeding the deadline by up to one month is allowed only if the inspection body could not carry out the check despite a timely order and confirms this in the test report (point 2.4). Without a valid test mark the authority can prohibit the vehicle's use (Section 29(7)).
How long must the test report be kept?: At least until the next safety check; on request it must be handed over together with the HU report (Section 29(10)).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for truck / trailer safety check (SP) (Germany)

A ready template for truck / trailer safety check (SP) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each truck / trailer safety check (SP) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each truck / trailer safety check (SP) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.