CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Never let a roadworthiness inspection in your fleet lapse unnoticed
In Colombia every motor vehicle must pass the roadworthiness and emissions inspection yearly (Article 51 of Ley 769 de 2002); new private vehicles start from the fifth year, public-service vehicles and motorcycles at two years. The owner or keeper is responsible; missing the deadline is fined and the vehicle impounded.
Apart from the rules on the first inspection, all motor vehicles must undergo the roadworthiness and emissions inspection (revisión técnico-mecánica y de emisiones contaminantes) every year (Article 51 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Article 201 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012). The inspection checks, among other things, the bodywork, gas emissions, the mechanical system, the electrical and lighting system, brakes, tyres and emergency systems and equipment (same article).
New private-service vehicles other than motorcycles and similar have their first inspection from the fifth year after registration in the National Motor Vehicle Register; new public-service vehicles and motorcycles and similar, once they are two years old counting from registration. Foreign-plated vehicles entering temporarily for up to three months do not need it (Article 52 of Ley 769, as amended by Article 179 of Ley 2294 de 2023).
The inspection is carried out at duly constituted vehicle diagnostic centres (centros de diagnóstico automotor), and the vehicle registration document (licencia de tránsito) and compulsory insurance are required for it (Article 53 of Ley 769). For road safety and environmental reasons, the owner or keeper of the vehicle must keep it in optimum mechanical and safety condition (Article 50).
At a glance
| Frequency | Annual (Article 51, as amended by Decreto Ley 019 de 2012) |
|---|---|
| First inspection: private vehicles | From the fifth year after registration, except motorcycles and similar (Article 52, as amended by Ley 2294 de 2023) |
| First inspection: public service and motorcycles | Two years after registration (Article 52) |
| Where | At vehicle diagnostic centres (Article 53) |
| What you need | The vehicle registration document and the compulsory insurance (Article 53) |
| Not required for | Foreign-plated vehicles entering temporarily for up to three months (Article 52, paragraph) |
Who is responsible?
The owner or keeper of the vehicle must keep it in optimum mechanical and safety condition (Article 50 of Ley 769). The inspection is carried out by a vehicle diagnostic centre (Article 53).
If the deadline passes
Failing to carry out the roadworthiness inspection within the legal deadline, or driving a vehicle that is not in adequate mechanical or emissions condition even with the certificates, is an offence punished with a fine; the vehicle is also impounded (Article 131, item C.35, of Ley 769 de 2002).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each vehicle as a record and enter the expiry date of its roadworthiness inspection certificate.
- For a new vehicle, enter the date of its first inspection as the first expiry date: the fifth year after registration for private vehicles (except motorcycles) and two years for public-service vehicles and motorcycles (Article 52).
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day; the driver or workshop can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person to each vehicle, such as the fleet manager; if an inspection lapses, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is the inspection required?
- Every year, apart from the first inspection of new vehicles (Article 51 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Article 201 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).
- When does a new vehicle need its first inspection?
- A private-service vehicle that is not a motorcycle, from the fifth year after registration in the National Motor Vehicle Register; a public-service vehicle, motorcycle or similar, once it is two years old counting from registration (Article 52, as amended by Article 179 of Ley 2294 de 2023).
- What documents does the diagnostic centre ask for?
- The vehicle registration document and the compulsory insurance (Article 53 of Ley 769).
- What if I miss the deadline?
- Failing to carry out the inspection within the legal deadline is punished with a fine and the vehicle is impounded (Article 131, item C.35, of Ley 769).
Sources
- Ley 769 de 2002, National Land Traffic Code (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
- Decreto Ley 019 de 2012, Articles 197, 198, 201 and 202 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
- Ley 2294 de 2023, Article 179 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
Last checked: Oct 3, 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 roadworthiness and emissions inspection (RTM) (Colombia)
A ready template for roadworthiness and emissions inspection (RTM) (Colombia) 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 roadworthiness and emissions inspection (RTM) (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each roadworthiness and emissions inspection (RTM) (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.