What is a Vehicle Technical Inspection?

A technical inspection is a mandatory procedure to check the technical condition of vehicles. Its purpose is to ensure that vehicles used on public roads are safe and environmentally friendly. Throughout their service life, vehicles must comply with the technical requirements that applied at the time of their manufacture and initial registration. Vehicles with malfunctioning or damaged systems significantly reduce traffic safety and may cause accidents with serious consequences. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements — for example, those emitting excessive smoke, noise, or leaks — place an additional burden on the environment.

In Estonia, periodic technical inspection is mandatory for all motor vehicles used in traffic, as well as for their trailers. A few exceptions apply, such as mopeds and vehicles used on small islands.

Technical inspection is mandatory for:

  • passenger cars (category M1)
  • vans and small trucks (category N1)
  • moped cars (category L6e)
  • trucks (category N2, N3)
  • buses (category M2, M3)
  • trailers (category O1, O2, O3, O4)
  • motorcycles (category L3e, L4e, L5e, L7e)
  • tractors, machinery, and their trailers

 

Technical inspection is not mandatory for:

  • mopeds (categories L1e, L2e)
  • off-road vehicles (categories MS1, MS2 – e.g., ATVs or snowmobiles registered as such)
  • agricultural machinery (with a notation "AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY" in the traffic register)

 

The vehicle inspection process is organized and supervised by the Estonian Transport Administration to ensure proper conduct and quality. Technical inspection services are provided by private companies that have administrative agreements with the state. Pikaliiva Grupp OÜ has been offering vehicle inspection services since 2004, and Tehnoülevaatus OÜ since 2019.

In Tallinn, we provide technical inspection for:

  • passenger cars (category M1)
  • moped cars (category L6e)
  • buses (category M2)
  • vans and small trucks (category N1)
  • motorcycles (categories L3e, L4e, and L5e)
  • trailers (categories O1 and O2)
  • ATVs and tractors (categories L7, T5, T, R, and LM)