Vehicle Inspection and Registration Fees: Deadlines, Payment, and Fines

If you own a car, you know that driving isn’t just about fuel, maintenance, and insurance. There are also certain obligations you need to keep in mind every year or at regular intervals, such as road tax and the vehicle inspection.

Most oversights aren’t due to negligence, but because it’s easy to miss a deadline amid the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, whether it’s a missed payment or an overdue vehicle inspection, the result is usually the same: extra costs and unnecessary hassle.

If you’re wondering when your vehicle is due for its technical inspection, how to pay road tax, or what happens if you’re late, we’ve compiled everything you need to know.

What are the important dates you should keep in mind?

The two basic obligations that apply to almost every car owner are as follows:

Keeping track of these dates may seem simple, but many drivers realize that their vehicle inspection has expired or that they haven’t paid the fees when it’s already too late.

Vehicle Inspection: When Do You Need to Get Your Car Inspected?

A vehicle inspection isn’t just a simple formality. Its purpose is to verify that the vehicle still meets basic safety and environmental compliance standards.

When do I get my car inspected for the first time?

For a new passenger car, the first technical inspection takes place four years after the date the first registration certificate was issued.

From then on, the inspection is usually repeated every two years.

What matters is that you always rely on the date listed on the most recent vehicle inspection certificate and not solely on when the car was purchased.

What about used cars?

If you’re buying a used car, it’s a good idea to check the following right from the start:

• whether there is a valid vehicle inspection certificate,
• when it expires,
• when the next inspection is due,
• and whether there are any notes from previous inspections.

A quick check before the purchase can save you from unexpected expenses later on.

Vehicle Inspection and Car Insurance

There is a direct link between vehicle inspection and car insurance. During the inspection, the brakes, tires, lights, suspension, and emission levels, among other things, are examined.

Beyond ensuring compliance with the law, the technical inspection is a way to identify problems that could affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

What happens if the vehicle inspection certificate expires?

If you do not have your vehicle inspected within the prescribed time limits, it is considered overdue, and you will be charged the corresponding additional fee during the inspection.

Additionally, if an inspection reveals that the vehicle is being operated without a valid vehicle inspection certificate, the penalties provided for by law may be imposed.

That’s why it’s best to schedule your appointment well in advance, before the expiration date arrives.

Vehicle Registration Fees: When Is Payment Due?

Vehicle registration fees are paid annually for the following calendar year.

Road tax payments are made through the AADE’s myCAR platform, where you can generate the relevant payment notice and find out the amount applicable to your vehicle.

The payment period typically begins on November 1 and ends on December 31 of the same year, unless an official extension is granted.

For example, the 2027 road tax is expected to be paid by December 31, 2026, unless the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) announces a different deadline.

What happens with unpaid vehicle registration fees?

A delay in payment results in an additional financial burden, which increases over time.

For the 2026 vehicle registration fees, the following system of late-payment surcharges applied:

The minimum fine for passenger cars is €30, even if the resulting surcharge is lower.

For example, if your car’s annual registration fee is €200, the amount you’ll be required to pay is calculated as follows, depending on when payment is made:

Since deadlines and surcharges may be subject to change due to new legislation, it is recommended that you check the official announcements from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) every year before paying your vehicle registration fees.

Why are more and more drivers choosing Hertz leasing?

Paying road tax, meeting vehicle inspection deadlines, keeping track of important dates, and completing necessary procedures on time are all part of daily life for anyone who owns a vehicle.

Although each of these obligations is relatively simple on its own, in practice they require time, organization, and constant monitoring.

That’s why more and more drivers are turning to car leasing. Beyond getting a new vehicle without having to buy it, they also enjoy a more relaxed daily life, with fewer obligations and procedures to worry about.

What about vehicle registration fees when leasing?

When you own a car, you have to remember the payment deadlines every year, look for the notice, and make sure to pay the vehicle registration fees on time.

With Hertz Leasing, Hertz takes care of the road tax. You don’t have to keep track of dates, calculate charges, or worry about potential late fees.

This gives you a clearer picture of the total cost of owning the vehicle and one less thing to manage each year.

Less Stress About Vehicle Inspection Deadlines

The vehicle inspection remains a mandatory requirement for every vehicle when required by law. However, this doesn’t mean you have to keep track of every upcoming deadline on your own or search for information at the last minute.

As part of the rental agreement, Hertz provides updates and support regarding the vehicle inspection process, in accordance with the terms of the contract. This way, you’ll know well in advance when action is required and can plan your trips without any surprises.

Who is private car leasing right for?

If you’re looking for a simpler way to own and use a car, private car leasing is the solution you’re looking for.

In addition to driving a modern vehicle, it offers you greater cost predictability and fewer procedures that require your direct involvement. This way, you don’t have to worry about annual obligations or constantly keep track of deadlines, such as those for road tax or vehicle inspections.

Leasing: A Different Approach to Car Ownership

Vehicle inspections and registration fees are obligations that come with owning a vehicle and require consistency and proper planning. With leasing, however, part of this management becomes simpler, so you don’t have to constantly deal with deadlines and procedures.

With Hertz Leasing, the company takes care of the registration fees, and you’ll also receive the necessary updates on matters such as vehicle inspections, always in accordance with the terms of the lease.

Discover Hertz’s available leasing programs and find the solution that fits your needs, with fewer obligations related to your car and greater convenience in your daily life.