Nationalrat extends intervals for "Pickerl" inspection: Greens the only parliamentary group to vote against

This also significantly pushes back the point at which vehicles enter the annual obligation. Whereas cars previously had to be inspected every year from the fifth year after initial registration, this will now only happen from the eighth year onward. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) sees this as a relief for citizens. With the reform, many owners would have to go to a workshop or inspection center less often, without any compromise on road safety, Hanke said in the plenary session.

Arguments from supporters: relief and reduction of bureaucracy

Support also came from the governing coalition parties and from NEOS. NEOS delegate Janos Juvan expressed his delight: "Hundreds of thousands of people would be relieved," said Juvan. The FPÖ also signaled fundamental approval, but raised the question of why such an amendment had not been implemented earlier. "For the FPÖ delegate Christofer Ranzmaier, the only question is why such an amendment was not implemented earlier," was stated in the debate.

Criticism from the Greens: safety concerns

The Greens rejected the draft. Deputy Elisabeth Götze expressed skepticism and warned that the longer intervals could mean that safety-relevant defects are detected too late. A statistic was also cited in the plenary session, according to which almost a fifth of vehicles show serious defects after three years. The Greens see an increased risk from the extended deadlines that defective brakes, lighting systems, or chassis could remain undetected for longer.

In addition to the intervals, the amendment also regulates the handling of vehicles belonging to Ukrainian displaced persons. Previously, more favorable special regulations applied to these cars, which had been introduced after the outbreak of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. "It had been clear that special regulations would be needed after the outbreak of the war," stated ÖVP transport spokesman Joachim Schnabel. But now one also had to ensure the safety of Ukrainian vehicles. Ukrainian cars will be placed on an equal footing with Austrian vehicles under the amendment; the previous facilitations will be dropped.

Ukrainian vehicles to be placed on equal footing

Specifically, Ukrainian vehicles must now be registered in Austria in the future, will be subject to the normal "Pickerl" obligation, and must pay the standard consumption tax (Normverbrauchsabgabe) as well as the engine-related insurance tax. According to information from the plenary session, there was agreement among all parliamentary groups on this equal treatment. However, the FPÖ was bothered by the fact that the transition was given a long grace period of one year.

The grace period is intended to give those affected time to properly register their vehicles and prepare for the new tax obligations. Observers in Parliament assessed the step as a necessary alignment with regular enforcement: anyone who drives a car permanently in Austria should in future also fulfill the same technical and tax obligations.

In terms of content, the reform had two thrusts. On the one hand, the intervals are to be spread out and workshops and inspection centers relieved; on the other, enforcement in the area of Ukrainian vehicles is to be standardized. The federal government hopes this will both reduce bureaucracy and increase road safety, because previously differently treated vehicles are now subject to the same technical requirements.

For domestic workshops and inspection centers, the reform means a shift in workload. In the first few years after initial registration, fewer vehicles will come in for inspection, while from the eighth year onward, the annual appointments will be more concentrated. Industry representatives had partly spoken out critically in advance, because the longer intervals could delay the detection of defects.

The debate in the Nationalrat followed familiar lines: the government and NEOS argued for relief, the Greens warned of safety risks, the FPÖ positioned itself as a critic of the long grace period for Ukrainian vehicles. In the end, a majority decision was reached with which Austria is taking its own path with the "Pickerl" system, which differs from the more frequent cadence of other EU states.

The amendment will enter into force after the usual review and promulgation period. Until then, the old intervals continue to apply, meaning: first appointment three years after initial registration, then after two years, then annually. Vehicle owners who have missed their deadline in the current year must make up the next due inspection on time as before.

Impact on workshops and owners

Anyone who misses the deadline still risks an administrative penalty. The amendment changes nothing in this regard; it merely shifts the timing of the first and subsequent periodic inspections. Owners therefore remain personally responsible for ensuring that the inspection is carried out in good time, even if the next appointment is now further in the future than before.

Overall, the "Pickerl" remains the central instrument of recurring technical vehicle inspection in Austria. With the new 4:2:2:1 rhythm, the frequency of mandatory visits decreases in the first eight years, after which annual inspection applies. For newly registered vehicles, this means concretely: first inspection in the fourth year, second in the sixth, third in the eighth, and from the ninth year onward annually.

The equal treatment of Ukrainian vehicles is the second major component of the amendment. It affects an estimated low five-figure number of cars that have been used in Austria since the start of the war. With the changeover, exceptions will be eliminated, and at the same time the Austrian vehicle fleet will be technically and fiscally standardized.