1. What has changed?
You must first go to the technical inspection with your car when it is 4 years old. Until now, you had to go to the inspection annually (in most cases). But since yesterday, this can be done every 2 years, if your car is younger than 6 years and has less than 160,000 kilometers on the counter.
On July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026, the age of the car will be gradually increased to 8 and 10 years respectively.
2. What if my car is less than 6 years old, but has more than 160,000 kilometers on the odometer?
In that case, you will still have to have your car inspected annually.
3. If I have already had my car inspected this year, can I skip a year?
No. Only cars that currently have an inspection certificate that expires on 1 September or later fall under the new regulation. A passenger car may already be inspected 2 months before the final inspection date. These cars can therefore be inspected from 1 July.
For example, if your inspection certificate expires on 31 August 2024 or earlier, you will not yet be able to benefit from the new rules, even if your car is inspected after 1 July 2024.
4. Which cars are covered by the new scheme?
You only fall under the new scheme if you drive a passenger car, dual-purpose car, hearse and minibus. Camper vans, driving school cars, ambulances and light trucks are not included.
5. What about my trailer?
For trailers nothing changes. This means that light trailers do not have to go for inspection. A heavy trailer must be inspected annually.
But what is what? A light trailer does not exceed the maximum permissible mass of 750 kilograms and is towed by, among other things, a passenger car, a minibus, a motorcycle or a camper.
A heavy trailer has a maximum permissible mass of more than 750 kilograms, has brakes and a separate insurance. In addition, a heavy trailer must be registered with the Vehicle Registration Service and have a separate number plate.
6. What if my car no longer meets the requirements for the re-inspection?
Suppose your car was younger than 6 years old and had less than 160,000 kilometers on the counter at the time of the inspection, but was rejected. If your car then no longer meets (one of) both requirements at the time of the re-inspection, you will still fall under the new rules and you will not have to come back for another 2 years. Only the age and mileage on the day of the first, full inspection count.
7. What is the situation in Brussels?
In Brussels too, certain passenger cars only need to be inspected every 2 years. There are, however, various conditions attached to this, which you can the Brussels Mobility website can find. For example, the car may – just like in Flanders – be a maximum of 6 years old and the mileage may not have exceeded 100,000 kilometers.
8. Can I now go to any garage for an inspection?
Passenger cars, light trucks and light trailers can indeed be inspected in a garage since yesterday. The garage must then install an inspection line and the inspection itself must still be done by an inspector who works for a recognized inspection body.
