Vehicle Roadworthiness in Luxembourg

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Vehicle Roadworthiness in Luxembourg

Vehicle roadworthiness tests (contrôle technique) are compulsory in Luxembourg for new vehicles and on an annual basis for vehicles aged three and a half years or more. The roadworthiness test must be carried out at an authorised test centre. Vehicles used for transport with less than nine seats must be tested every 12 months and transport vehicles with a gross weight which exceeds 3.5 tons must be tested every six months.

Vehicle roadworthiness is managed by the Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT).

• For full details on the Contrôle Technique: Click here (in French) and select the option "Contrôle technique"

Owners of vehicles registered in Luxembourg will receive a reminder note indicating the date, time and the address of the test centre when the roadworthiness test is due to take place. The owner can call and modify the appointment, however, it is recommended to contact the SNCT at least 15 days before they wish to have the test carried out. The owner can also go to one of the test centres without an appointment but will have to wait in a queue.

Appointments can be requested by:

• Telephone: 35 72 14-222
• Fax: 35 72 14-246
• e-mail

Taking the Test

The first contrôle technique (CT) of a new vehicle should be done when it is first registered in Luxembourg, then on a yearly basis when the vehicle is over three and a half years old. It must be done at one of the authorised technical centres listed below.

A roadworthiness test must also be carried out when a vehicle changes owner, if it has been adapted, or after repairs following a major accident.

Documents required when taking the test

The following documents must be taken to the test centre:

• Vehicle registration document (carte grise)
• The previous roadworthiness certificate
• Proof of valid insurance (carte verte)
• For all vehicles registered after 1998, it is recommended to take the European certificate of conformity (Certificat de Conformité Européen)

The test generally takes no more than an hour and once successfully completed, the test centre will supply a new roadworthiness certificate, valid for one year.

Note: The tax sticker (vignette fiscale) is also checked to ensure that it is valid. If the tax sticker is more than 60 stays overdue, the vehicle is not be authorised to undergo the technical control test. 

If the vehicle fails the test, a temporary certificate valid for 21 days will be issued enabling the driver to drive:

• from the technical centre to the place where the vehicle will be repaired or destroyed
• from the technical centre to the vehicle owner's address
• from the vehicle owner's address to a repair centre

If the vehicle fails the test and receives a certificate stating Véhicule interdit à la circulation, the person has 48 hours to have the vehicle towed from the test centre to the place where it will be scrapped or repaired.

A person will be fined if they drive a vehicle without a valid roadworthiness certificate.

Frequent reasons for failure

• Worn tyre tread
• Lights not all working
• Shock absorbers faulty/worn
• Faulty/worn brakes
• Wheel alignment faulty
• Some aspects of damaged bodywork, for example if a door cannot open
• Some aspects that could impair safely, including the condition of the mirrors, windscreen and wipers, missing seatbelts
• Noise emissions or CO2 emissions too high
• Poor suspension, broken silencer
• Missing spare wheel
• Vehicle electrics not working (includes tow bar connector)

The vehicle is checked for proof of correct identification (chassis, engine numbers and registration plates).

Cost

The cost of the CT is fixed by law. Payment is made to the centre either in cash, or by credit card.

Sale of a Used Car

A used car must be sold with a valid contrôle technique certificate. The seller is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle inspection is up-to-date and gives the valid CT certificate to the buyer. For used cars that have a CT certificate with less than six weeks remaining validity, the vehicle must undergo a roadworthiness test.

If the CT certificate has more than six weeks remaining validity, the new owner may choose not to have a CT carried out when registering the vehicle. In this case they must fill in a specific form (Renonciation au Contrôle Technique).

• The form can be downloaded online: Click here and select Renonciation au Contrôle Technique

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

LPG (GPL) fittings must be installed by a certified dealer.

• For further information and details of certified dealers: Click here (in French)

Test Centres

There are three authorised centres for vehicle roadworthiness tests in Luxembourg:

• Centre
  At: 11 rue de Luxembourg, L-5230 Sandweiler
  Open: Monday to Friday from 07:30- 16:45
  For a map: Click here
• South
  At: 22-28 rue Jos. Keffer, L-4176 Esch-sur-Alzette
  Tel: 57 48 841
  Open: Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 16:45
• North
  At: 1 route de Pintsch, L-9776 Wilwerwiltz
  Open: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 11:45 and 13:00 to 16:45

Further Information

• From the Luxembourg government website: Click here (in French)

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