Ukrainians who enter Germany by car and stay in the country for more than a year are required to register and undergo a vehicle inspection. Find out about the simplified TÜV inspection procedure for cars with Ukrainian registration, which frees owners from many bureaucratic procedures

Issuing a policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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In June, the Ministry of Transport of the Federal States of Germany published rules for Ukrainians who came to the country in their own cars, according to which all owners of cars with Ukrainian license plates must register and undergo a technical inspection of their vehicles.

We will tell you how technical inspections of Ukrainian cars in Germany work and how to successfully pass the procedure.

Employment in Germany: how to get a work permit for a foreigner here.

Health insurance in Germany: types depending on the purpose of the trip.

Immigration of skilled workers to Germany: new rules came into force in November 2023.

TÜV inspection of cars with Ukrainian license plates in Germany: what is known

After the outbreak of a large-scale war, the Ministry of Transport of the country developed a special procedure for legalizing vehicles of Ukrainian drivers who arrived by car and stayed in the country for more than a year.

Today, owners of cars with Ukrainian license plates must register their vehicles in Germany.

The registration procedure involves several mandatory steps, including passing a technical inspection (known in Germany as TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein)). To obtain a special permit, the vehicle owner must submit positive inspection results along with other documents.

For this purpose, the vehicle must be inspected by an authorized body that conducts standard technical inspections in Germany. If the expert does not make any comments on the safety of the vehicle, the owner of the car with Ukrainian license plates will receive a certificate.

Assessment of the technical condition of Ukrainian cars in Germany: details

The basic procedure and concept of the safety inspection of Ukrainian vehicles in Germany was developed in cooperation with the federal states and the Federal State Technical Committee for Automotive Technology.

As part of the safety inspection of Ukrainian vehicles, as specified in a specially developed technical manual, the following are checked 

chassis, body, chassis, clutch, wheels, brakes, steering, lighting system, noise characteristics, gas power systems, high-voltage systems and engine performance measurements.

All major vehicle components are checked and evaluated in accordance with the German standard inspection regulations (HU General Inspection Instruction).

As a rule, during a standard technical inspection, a specialist checks specific systems and mechanisms of the car, including special attention is paid to

- brake mechanism serviceability - the brake system is checked for progressive braking (minimum permissible level of fade is 25%) and reduction of braking force on the steering wheel (up to 50% is permissible);

- the battery contacts are insulated and do not leak hydraulic fluid;

- the data in the technical passport matches the VIN number on the vehicle chassis. Please note that discrepancies are grounds for calling the police;

- emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere - checked by computerized indicators;

- operation of the lighting system - all lamps, the light height adjustment system and the angle of incidence of light will be checked on the light stand;

- condition of brake pads, wear of shock absorbers, tire profile and gasoline leakage;

- condition of the car's sills from below for leaks under the engine and transmission;

- inspection of the wheel steering system, detection of defects in the chassis, corrosion, and reliability of fasteners.

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Where to undergo a technical inspection in Germany?

Ukrainians can apply to an authorized service center - Werkstatt - to check the safety of their vehicles. This procedure is free of charge.

After the inspection, the car owner must receive a document confirming that the safety check has been passed. The documents must contain the following information

- vehicle identification number (FIN number or chassis number)

- vehicle registration number

- country of registration code;

- date and place of the inspection;

- mileage at the time of the inspection.

Vehicles that have passed the inspection are issued a certificate and a sticker on the license plate.

What should I do if a defect is found during the inspection?

After passing the inspection, the vehicle owner is provided with a list of problems or defects that need to be eliminated.

If the diagnostics show that the vehicle poses a direct threat to road traffic, the state authorities have the right to restrict or prohibit the operation of the vehicle.

The car owner has one month to eliminate the identified deficiencies. After that, the vehicle must undergo a second technical inspection by a specialist.

How can I protect myself from unnecessary expenses while traveling abroad in my own car?

When planning to travel abroad or while already there in your own car, it is important not only to prepare the necessary documents and check the technical condition of the car, but also to take care of insurance, because the Ukrainian CTP policy is not valid abroad. 

To protect yourself from unforeseen expenses, a car owner should take care of a Green Card policy in advance before traveling. 

To ensure safe traveling by your own car outside Ukraine, take out the necessary insurance by following the link.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.