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Vehicle inspectionSouth Africa

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
South Africa

169. Vehicle inspection

A vehicle inspection is an official check to determine whether a vehicle is safe, roadworthy and compliant with applicable technical and environmental requirements. Depending on the country and type of vehicle, inspections may check the brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, emissions, identification and other safety-related components. Inspection rules and intervals vary between countries: some vehicles require regular periodic inspections, while others may also need an inspection after major modifications, an accident, importation or a change of ownership.

Vehicle inspection
Roller brake test at a vehicle inspection station.
Wikimedia.org • Roman Zázvorka • CC BY-SA
What is a vehicle inspection?

A vehicle inspection is an official examination of a vehicle to check whether it meets applicable safety, technical and environmental requirements.

What is checked during a vehicle inspection?

The inspection may include the brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, vehicle identification and emissions. The exact inspection points depend on the country, vehicle type and type of inspection.

How often does a vehicle need to be inspected?

The inspection interval depends on the country and type of vehicle. Some countries require annual inspections, while others use longer intervals based on the vehicle's age, use or condition.

What happens if a vehicle fails the inspection?

A vehicle that does not meet the required standards may need to be repaired and presented for another inspection. Serious defects may restrict or prohibit the vehicle from being used until they are repaired.

Do all countries have the same vehicle inspection rules?

No. Vehicle inspection systems differ between countries, including which vehicles must be inspected, how often inspections are required and which technical standards are checked.

Do electric vehicles need a vehicle inspection?

In countries with periodic vehicle inspections, electric vehicles are generally also subject to inspection. Some inspection points differ because electric vehicles do not have a conventional combustion engine or exhaust-emission system.

1 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ... 101 Concrete step barrier 102 Barriers 103 Vehicle lights 104 Street lights 105 Dipped beam 106 High beam 107 Fog lights 108 Front fog lights 109 Rear fog lights 110 Side lights 111 Turn signals 112 Hazard lights 113 Dashboard lights 114 Bicycle lighting 115 Bicycle bell 116 Headlight flashing 117 Seat belt 118 Child restraints 119 Head restraints 120 Airbag 121 ABS 122 Esp 123 Traction control system 124 Helmet 125 Bicycle helmet 126 Hands-free 127 Smartphone 128 GPS 129 Brake 130 Handbrake 131 Brake fluid 132 Tyres 133 Tyre code 134 Winter tyres 135 Tyre pressure 136 Snow chains 137 Bicycle tyre 138 Continuous track 139 Gross Vehicle Weight 140 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 141 Cargo 142 Car body 143 Trunk 144 Roof rack 145 Windscreen 146 Emergency hammer 147 Car battery 148 Traction battery 149 Suspension 150 Shock absorber 151 Spring 152 Exhaust 153 Exhaust gas 154 Soot 155 Catalytic converter 156 Engine 157 Petrol engine 158 Diesel engine 159 Electric motor 160 Timing belt 161 Glow plug 162 Cylinder 163 Engine oil 164 Coolant 165 Maintenance 166 Spare tyre 167 Flat tyre 168 Jack 169 Vehicle inspection 170 Key 171 Dashboard 172 Windscreen wiper 173 Doors 174 Glovebox 175 Visibility 176 Rain 177 Fog 178 Hail 179 Sunlight 180 Sunglasses 181 Salt 182 Air conditioning 183 Hydroplaning 184 Distraction 185 Emotions 186 Road rage 187 Health 188 Epilepsy 189 Night blindness 190 Visual impairment 191 Fatigue 192 Defects 193 Traffic violation 194 Alcohol 195 Alcohol control 196 Ignition interlock device 197 Breath test 198 Breath analysis 199 Blood alcohol content 200 Blood test 201 Saliva test 202 Drugs 203 Medication 204 Penalties 205 Speeding 206 Smoking 207 Traffic enforcement camera 208 Accident 209 Injuries 210 Nosebleed 211 Damage 212 Breakdown 213 Warning triangle 214 Traffic rules 215 Driving school 216 Traffic signs