How can you tell when your vehicle needs to be brought in for its next safety inspection?

In Germany, the timing for your vehicle’s next safety inspection (known as Hauptuntersuchung or HU) is usually indicated by the inspection sticker placed on the vehicle's safety inspection plate. This sticker shows the month and year when the next inspection is due. This is the most straightforward way to know when your vehicle must be brought in for inspection.

While the registration certificate Part I (Fahrzeugschein) contains technical details about the vehicle, it does not provide a clear or updated date for the next inspection. The inspection tag on the license plate does not exist as a standard indicator in Germany. Therefore, always check the safety inspection plate with the test sticker for accurate and official information. This helps ensure that your vehicle remains roadworthy and complies with legal requirements.