Technical inspection 2026: which cars should be inspected, cost and other important changes

In Ukraine, certain categories of drivers are required to undergo regular vehicle inspections. This is due to the need to bring Ukrainian legislation in line with the requirements of the European Union. Find out more about which cars are subject to inspection, what the cost of maintenance will be, and what other changes are expected

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In Ukraine, vehicle inspections remain a mandatory procedure for certain categories of vehicles, even during martial law. In 2026, the rules for vehicle inspections remain in effect, as these checks are designed to improve road safety.

However, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved new rules for vehicle inspections. The corresponding resolution No. 286 took effect on May 19, 2025. The changes will affect both the inspection procedure itself and its cost. The government promises to increase the transparency of the process and introduce stricter controls.

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Who must undergo a technical inspection in 2026?

Vehicle technical inspections in Ukraine are regulated by the Law “On Road Traffic” and Order No. 106 of the Ministry of Infrastructure. They are conducted by certified institutions with the appropriate accreditation. In 2026, periodic technical inspections remain mandatory for certain categories of vehicles used on major highways.

The following are subject to mandatory inspection:

1. Heavy-duty trucks over one year old – annually;

2. Buses in service for more than 2 years – every 6 months;

3. Cargo-passenger vehicles up to 3.5 tons, older than two years – once every two years;

4. Taxis over 2 years old – annually;

5. Specialized vehicles (crane trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks) – annually;

6. Vehicles for transporting hazardous materials – after the first year of operation, and then every 6 months.

Transparent procedure: how will vehicle inspections be conducted in 2026?

From now on, vehicle inspections will be conducted according to clearly defined rules. The entire procedure must be recorded on video—from start to finish. This will eliminate the possibility of falsification or forgery of documents.

Inspectors will pay particular attention to the condition of lighting equipment, specifically:

• Headlights;
• Parking lights;
• Turn signals;
• Brake lights.

The following will also be recorded:

• odometer readings;
• tachograph (if present)—with a photo of the active screen and the adaptation plate;
• control elements in training vehicles — in a simplified format.

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Unified database of inspection results

According to the resolution, a nationwide electronic database of technical inspection results will be created in Ukraine. This will allow tracking the inspection history of each vehicle and reduce the number of fictitious inspections.

Prices for vehicle inspections in Ukraine

• Passenger cars and trucks up to 3.5 tons — from 1,050 to 1,700 UAH;
• Heavy-duty vehicles and buses — from 1,500 to 2,300 UAH;
• Trailers and motorcycles — up to 2,300 UAH (depending on the category);
• MSTO stamp — from 300 to 500 UAH.

Prices for services related to tachographs:

• Inspection and calibration — 1,600 UAH;
• Data retrieval from the driver card — 150 UAH;
• Data retrieval from the tachograph — 300 UAH.

What happens if you fail the technical inspection?

Drivers who fail the updated inspection may face serious penalties:

• fines;
• prohibition on operating the vehicle;
• license revocation (for carriers);
• inability to travel abroad in their own vehicle.

Which vehicle categories are exempt from mandatory technical inspection?

In Ukraine, mandatory technical inspection exempts certain categories of vehicles from inspection. The following are not required to undergo it:

1. Owners of passenger cars, trailers, and semi-trailers, provided the vehicle is not used for commercial activities or profit-making;

2. New passenger cars and trailers used for commercial transportation but with a service life of no more than two years.

In our previous article, we discussed what the Europrotocol is and the rules for obtaining it in Ukraine and Europe.

List of required documents for the technical inspection

To undergo a technical inspection, the following documents must be provided:

- Vehicle registration certificate;

- Vehicle owner’s ID;

- Power of attorney authorizing the technical inspection;

- Copy of the certificate of state registration – for legal entities.

Rules for passing the technical inspection to enter Moldova

The technical inspection is a mandatory procedure for all drivers planning to cross the border into Moldova. Its purpose is to verify the vehicle’s technical condition, compliance with environmental standards, and to prevent potential entry denials.

Without a diagnostic card or an international certificate, your vehicle may not be granted permission to cross the border. During the technical inspection, the vehicle registration certificate and the documents of the owner or authorized representative are checked. Diagnostics are performed using modern equipment that analyzes the condition of the vehicle’s main systems.

If the vehicle meets all requirements, a diagnostic card or inspection report is issued. The procedure usually takes very little time if the vehicle is properly prepared.

The International Roadworthiness Certificate (IRWC) confirms the vehicle’s compliance with the 1997 Vienna Convention and allows for unimpeded travel abroad.

Vehicle Inspection Rules in Romania

According to Romanian law, a technical inspection (TI) is a mandatory procedure for all vehicles traveling on the country’s roads. Without a valid technical inspection, a vehicle is considered unregistered, which results in significant fines.

The frequency of technical inspections depends on the vehicle’s age and purpose:

- New vehicles undergo their first technical inspection 3 years after registration;

- Vehicles aged 3 to 12 years – every 2 years;

- Vehicles in operation for over 12 years undergo a technical inspection annually;

- Taxis, car-sharing vehicles, and rental cars – every 6 months;

- Trucks with a gross vehicle weight of up to and over 3,500 kg – annually.

If the technical inspection is not passed by the specified deadline, the vehicle’s registration is automatically suspended. This means the vehicle is no longer permitted to travel on Romanian roads.

The Romanian penalty system is based on penalty points. The number of points determines the amount of the fine. Driving a vehicle without a valid technical inspection is punishable by a fine of 9 to 20 penalty points. One penalty point = 5% of the minimum wage, which in 2024 is 165 lei. Minimum fine: 1,485 lei (~300 euros). Maximum fine: 6,600 lei (~1,320 euros) for driving a car with suspended registration.

You can have your vehicle inspected at any certified service station that holds the appropriate license. Before undergoing the technical inspection, it is worth checking the car’s main components to avoid additional costs for a re-inspection.

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