You have left your registered caravan trailer for six months during the winter on a campground. What applies as far as the official inspection (Hauptuntersuchung) is concerned?

In Germany, the Hauptuntersuchung (HU) is an official inspection to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy. For trailers, including caravans, the inspection date indicated on the test stamp must be observed strictly. The regulations state that the time a caravan is stationary on a campground does not extend the inspection date; it remains due on the originally indicated date.

This is essential because it ensures that all vehicles, regardless of their use or inactivity, meet safety and environmental standards at regular intervals. This prevents potentially unsafe vehicles from being on the road, contributing to overall road safety.

In summary, while a caravan can be stored for extended periods without being used, the requirement for the HU inspection does not change, and the owner must adhere to the scheduled inspection date provided on the test stamp.