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Deadlines The workshop magazine

Inspection overdue — what happens now

If your German HU is overdue, arrange it now. There is no general grace period: the vehicle must be presented by the end of the month shown on the sticker. When the deadline is exceeded by more than two months, the inspection scope is extended. The next HU deadline is not backdated to the old due month.

5 min readUpdated
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The essentials first

  1. The HU is due by the end of the month shown on the sticker.

  2. More than two months overdue means extended checks.

  3. Arrange an appointment now and clarify known defects beforehand.

Read the sticker and vehicle documents

The number at the top of the HU sticker indicates the month; the number in the centre indicates the year. For example, a 6 at the top and 26 in the centre mean the inspection was due by the end of June 2026. The previous HU report also records the next deadline.

Do not confuse this with first registration or a service reminder on the dashboard. Routine servicing does not reset the HU deadline. If the documents appear inconsistent, ask the inspection station to clarify them instead of choosing the later date.

More than two months changes the inspection scope

Annex VIIIa of the German StVZO requires extended supplementary checks when the HU deadline has been exceeded by more than two months. This threshold is more than two months, not eight months. The fact that a car appears to drive normally does not remove this requirement.

The extended inspection is separate from the consequences of a roadside check. Penalties have their own graduated rules based on delay and vehicle category. There is therefore no generally permitted period during which an overdue inspection can simply be postponed.

A closer look

Normal deadline

Present the vehicle no later than the specified month.

More than two months overdue

Extended supplementary checks are required.

Seasonal registration

An out-of-season deadline moves to the first month of the next operating season.

Consider condition as well as the deadline

An expired sticker first indicates a missed inspection deadline. Whether a vehicle can safely be driven also depends on its actual condition. If you notice braking problems, damaged tyres, steering faults or relevant warning messages, obtain a qualified assessment before driving.

A booking confirmation does not replace a valid HU or erase the missed deadline. Arrange inspection promptly and suitable transport for a vehicle that is clearly unsafe. Continuing everyday journeys or waiting until the next routine service does not resolve the problem.

Prepare for the appointment

Have registration certificate Part I, the previous HU report and any required documents for modifications ready. Check lights, tyres, wipers and the washer system. Tell the workshop or inspection station about known defects and how overdue the inspection is.

A preliminary check may identify repairs, but cannot guarantee an HU pass. If major or dangerous defects are found, they must be repaired without delay and reinspected within one month of the inspection. Allow some room in your schedule for that possibility.

The next deadline and special registration cases

The next interval generally starts from the month and year when the HU was carried out. For an ordinary car on a 24-month interval, an HU in September usually means the next deadline is September two years later. Check the date recorded in the new report; a later reinspection does not automatically create a new start date.

Seasonal registration has a special rule. If inspection falls outside the permitted operating season, it is due in the first month of the next season. For officially deregistered vehicles, the inspection obligation is suspended; any due HU must be completed when returning the vehicle to service.

Your checklist
  • Compare the due month on the sticker and report.
  • Book the next available HU appointment.
  • Have known safety defects assessed before driving.
  • Prepare registration and modification documents.
  • Record the new deadline after the HU.
FAQ

Still have a question?

Is there a two-month grace period?

No. The HU must be completed by the end of the specified month. The more-than-two-month threshold concerns the extended inspection scope; it does not make the earlier delay permissible.

Is the new sticker backdated?

No. The new interval is generally calculated from the month in which the HU took place. Check the deadline in the inspection report.

Can I simply leave the car on private property?

If the vehicle remains registered, not using it does not by itself remove the HU obligation. The legal suspension of that obligation requires official deregistration.

Sources & further reading

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