Delaying the main inspection can be quite unpleasant and expensive under certain circumstances. Since 2012, non-compliance with the deadline has been punishable by a fine.
In the following article, you can find out what happens if you miss your PTI deadline and what you should pay attention to now.
In addition to the various inspection deadlines for the different vehicle types, we will also show you what you should definitely do if you are overdue for an inspection.
Are you feverishly searching for the expiration date of your badge?
You can find the date of your next periodic technical inspection in two places. On the one hand, you can read the date on the badge itself, which is attached to the rear license plate.
Just look at the number in the middle. This shows you the year in which you have to attend the next general inspection. The month is indicated by the number at the top center.
Example: The following graphic shows a badge that expires in September 2022.
Alternatively, you can also find the expiration date in the registration certificate part 1 or the former vehicle registration document.
It is best to write the date of the next periodic technical inspection in your diary or book an appointment using our online booking function as a precaution. Not only will you secure one of the highly coveted test dates, but we will also remind you of your next appointment in good time.
PTI overdue - and now?
It happens to us all: The diary is overflowing, thoughts are everywhere and before you know it, the deadline for the upcoming periodic technical inspection has passed.
Before you start to panic, we can reassure you. As long as your test date is not too long in the past, you can expect no serious consequences. Nevertheless, you should now pull out all the stops and take your car to the nearest engineering hub as soon as possible.
Of course, you should ideally have the periodic technical inspection carried out in the month in which your sticker expires.
If you have missed the deadline for your periodic technical inspection, you should not wait to catch up. If you are caught by the police without a valid sticker, you will be fined for a delay of 2 months or more. As a latecomer, you can also expect higher prices at the engineering hub itself.
In the next section, you can find out exactly how the costs of exceeding the deadline are broken down and what you will have to pay in the event of default.
periodic technical inspection overdue: Table of fines
If you are pulled over by the police with an expired badge, you may be fined and, in the worst case, you may also receive 1 point in Flensburg.
You can see the exact fines in the table below. This shows you the fines for cars, motorcycles and light trailers (as of 10/2022).
| Infringement | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 months | A warning fine may be imposed. This is at the discretion of the civil servant. | - |
| More than 2 months | 15 € | - |
| 4-8 months | 25 € | - |
| More than 8 months | 60 € | 1 point in Flensburg |
Overdue periodic technical inspection: costs of the inspection organization
Don't worry, we as a testing organization do not impose fines. We also do not have to report the missed deadline to the police or other authorities.
However, we are obliged to carry out a so-called extended periodic technical inspection on your vehicle if the deadline is exceeded by more than 2 months.
This involves additional work and therefore costs 20 % more than the "standard PTI" (as of 10/2022).
Is the periodic technical inspection backdated?
If you have been on the road for a long time, you may still remember the days when the missed periodic technical inspection was actually backdated.
This means, for example, that if you were 4 months late, you had to take the next exam 4 months earlier. This meant that the "fresh" PTI was only valid for 20 months instead of 24 months.
This principle of backdating has no longer existed since 2012. Despite missing the test, you do not have to take the next test for 2 years after successfully completing the PTI.
How often is the periodic technical inspection due?
There is no general answer to the question of how often you can visit your trusted engineering hub. Depending on the type of vehicle, you will have to undergo a safety inspection at different intervals.
periodic technical inspection deadlines for cars
Different deadlines apply for cars than for motorcycles, campers or trailers. If you are driving a new car, you do not have to undergo your first periodic technical inspection until 36 months, i.e. 3 years, after initial registration.
After this milestone, you can expect a safety check every 24 months
| Type of your vehicle | 1st PTI date after initial registration | All following examination intervals |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger car | After 36 months | Every 24 months |
Motorcycle periodic technical inspection deadlines
All motorcycles and light motorcycles (classes L3e, L4e, L5e and L7e) must visit DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS or another official inspection organization every 24 months .
Unlike a car, a motorcycle must be inspected after 24 months, even after initial registration.
| Type of your vehicle | 1st PTI date after initial registration | All following examination intervals |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | After 24 months | Every 24 months |
periodic technical inspection deadlines for campers/caravans
The inspection dates for caravans (up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight) are identical to those for passenger cars. After initial registration, you must have your first periodic technical inspection after 36 months. The subsequent inspection intervals take place every 24 months.
If you own a caravan or motorhome, you must also have your vehicle subjected to a mandatory gas test. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) and the German Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (DVFG) recommend having the check-up carried out every 24 months.
| Type of your vehicle | 1st PTI date after initial registration | All following examination intervals |
|---|---|---|
| Caravan | After 36 months | Every 24 months |
periodic technical inspection deadlines for trailers
Trailers must also be inspected for roadworthiness at certain intervals. A trailer (up to 750 kg) requires a fresh badge for the first time 36 months after initial registration.
| The type of your vehicle | 1st PTI date after initial registration | All following examination intervals |
|---|---|---|
| Trailers up to 750 kg | After 36 months | Every 24 months |
*This deadline applies if you have not passed the PTI
The deadline for the follow-up inspection if your car has failed the first test is one month. If you let this period lapse, the complete periodic technical inspection must be carried out again.
Never miss your PTI appointment again with this trick
Forgetting the PTI and thus overstaying is quick. In the worst case, a fine and an entry in the Flensburg points catalog await you. To prevent this from happening, we have a practical online appointment booking function that reminds you of your upcoming appointment.
We also offer an insured pick-up and delivery service for customers from Fürth, Nuremberg and the surrounding area.
So make sure you have a clear conscience and your next PTI appointment online at holdeineplakette.de.
Do you have any further questions? No problem. Simply contact us by e-mail or telephone.