How Often Does a Car Need an HU in Germany? TÜV Intervals Explained

That 36/24-month rule does not apply universally. Motorcycles, taxis, rental vehicles, motorhomes, trailers and goods vehicles can follow different schedules. The legally relevant details are the vehicle category, permitted total mass, type of use, first-registration date and, in some cases, whether the vehicle has its own braking system.

Quick answer: A newly registered ordinary passenger car normally receives its first HU after 36 months. Subsequent inspections are due every 24 months. The deadline expires at the end of the month and year shown by the inspection sticker and in the vehicle records.

HU, TÜV and AU: use the correct terms

The HU is the legally prescribed periodic roadworthiness inspection under Section 29 and Annex VIII of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). It examines road safety, environmental compatibility and compliance with applicable construction and operating rules. TÜV companies are among the recognized organizations that perform it, alongside other authorized organizations.

For combustion vehicles, the examination of engine management and emissions-control systems is integrated into the HU or may be documented through an admissible separate procedure. Drivers often still say “AU,” but the emissions component does not create a separate general two-year diary date that should be tracked independently of the HU.

This article answers when an examination is due. For the practical checks before an appointment, use our HU preparation checklist. If a deadline has already passed, see what happens when the HU expires.

Official HU intervals at a glance

The following table summarizes common categories from Annex VIII StVZO. It is a navigation aid, not a replacement for checking the exact classification in the vehicle documents.

Ambulances, vehicles for transporting people, buses and heavy commercial vehicles have shorter or additional inspection cycles. Fleet operators should determine the category from the registration data rather than treating every company vehicle as an ordinary company car.

Passenger cars: the 36/24-month rule

An ordinary new passenger car first placed into service in May 2026 will generally be due for its first HU by the end of May 2029. If that HU is completed in May 2029 and no special category applies, the following deadline is May 2031.

The interval begins with the month and year of the last HU. An early examination can therefore move the future cycle forward. Do not choose an earlier month merely from fear without understanding that scheduling consequence. Conversely, an appointment reservation does not extend a statutory deadline.

Trailers: mass and braking system matter

A statement that “trailers need HU every two years” is incomplete. Annex VIII distinguishes several groups:

Caravans are included in the trailer rules unless their registration places them in another applicable category. Always use the permitted total mass and registration data, not the trailer's weight on the day of inspection.

Motorhomes are not all on the same schedule

Motorhomes up to 3.5 t follow the familiar passenger-car rhythm: first HU after 36 months and then every 24 months. Above 3.5 t and up to 7.5 t, the interval is 24 months during the first 72 months from first entry into service and then 12 months. Above 7.5 t, the interval is 12 months.

This is why advice based only on the word “camper” can be wrong. Check field F.2 in the registration certificate for the permitted total mass and confirm the registered vehicle type. Gas-system obligations, where applicable, are a separate subject and should not be confused with the HU due month.

Special rules for taxis, rental and commercial vehicles

Passenger cars used for passenger transport under the relevant legal rules generally require an HU every 12 months. Vehicles commercially rented without a driver are also generally subject to a 12-month period, although Annex VIII contains defined exceptions for certain long-term rental arrangements. An ordinary company car that is not registered or used in one of these special categories normally retains the standard passenger-car interval.

Goods vehicles up to 3.5 t generally have a 24-month HU interval; above 3.5 t the interval is generally 12 months. Depending on mass, age and class, a separate Sicherheitsprüfung may also be required. A fleet calendar should therefore store the exact HU and safety-inspection obligations for each vehicle rather than applying one template to the whole fleet.

How to read the German inspection sticker

The circular inspection sticker is attached to the rear number plate. The number at the twelve-o'clock position indicates the due month, while the two digits in the center indicate the due year. A “7” at the top and “28” in the center therefore mean that the HU is due by the end of July 2028. The black marker blocks around the edge help the month remain recognizable from a distance.

Cross-check the sticker with the HU report and the entry in the registration documentation. If they appear inconsistent or the sticker is damaged, do not guess or alter it. Contact an authorized inspection organization or registration authority for clarification.

Seasonal registration, deregistration and reactivation

If the due month for a vehicle with a seasonal number plate lies outside its permitted operating period, Annex VIII requires the HU in the first month of the next operating period. That rule is not permission to drive during the inactive season.

While a vehicle is formally deregistered, the examination obligation is suspended. If an HU became due before or during that inactive period, it must be completed when the vehicle returns to service under the applicable reactivation rules. Imported vehicles and vehicles returning from registration abroad can require an HU or another assessment depending on their approval history. Obtain case-specific guidance rather than calculating from a foreign sticker alone.

Where can you verify the due date?

Keep the report at least until the next HU. For a replacement or correction, use official channels; a screenshot of a reminder is not a substitute for the statutory record.

A reliable reminder workflow

Set the first reminder about three months before the due month, a booking reminder six to eight weeks before, and a final check at the start of the due month. These are planning suggestions, not additional legal deadlines. Repairs can take time, so waiting until the final working day creates avoidable risk.

For a fleet, record registration number, VIN, vehicle category, permitted total mass, last HU, next due month, responsible person, appointment, report and any reinspection deadline. Keep the HU date separate from service, tyre-change and insurance dates. A vehicle can be recently serviced and still have an overdue HU.

Common timing mistakes

Used-car purchase and change of keeper

Buying a used car does not normally restart the HU period. The due date belongs to the vehicle's inspection history, not to the date of the purchase contract or registration in the new keeper's name. Before signing, compare the rear sticker, latest report, registration data and vehicle identity. If the seller cannot provide the report, verify the status through an authorized channel rather than accepting a verbal promise.

A workshop service, oil change, repair invoice or voluntary pre-check also does not create a new statutory HU period. The next interval starts from an officially completed HU under the applicable rules. If an inspection identifies defects and requires reinspection, the repair date is not a substitute for the official outcome.

Conclusion

For an ordinary passenger car, remember “three years, then every two”: 36 months to the first HU and 24 months thereafter. For every other vehicle, verify the category, permitted total mass and use before relying on that shortcut. The inspection sticker and report identify the deadline; Annex VIII StVZO supplies the legal interval.

A useful digital reminder does not replace the official record, but it can prompt the owner early enough to check documents, arrange maintenance and book the appointment. Treat the due month as a compliance deadline, not as the first moment to start planning.