§57a Pickerl Inspection for Cars in Austria: The 3-2-1 Rule Explained

For passenger car (M1 category) owners in Austria, the mandatory §57a-Begutachtung—commonly known as the “Pickerl”—is the primary compliance requirement for roadworthiness.

The “3-2-1” Inspection Interval Rule for Passenger Cars

Austria applies a strict 3-2-1 inspection frequency strictly for new and used passenger cars:

• 3 years after initial registration for brand new passenger cars.
• 2 years after the first inspection.
• 1 year annually for every subsequent year thereafter.

Note: This rule applies exclusively to M1 class passenger cars. Heavy transport or commercial vehicles follow separate annual cycles.

The Tolerance Period (Gnadenfrist)

Austrian law provides a statutory tolerance window around your vehicle’s registration month:

• 4 months before the printed month on the badge.
• 2 months after the printed month on the badge.

Caution: The tolerance period applies within Austrian borders. When driving internationally into neighboring EU countries, foreign police may enforce strict expiration on the exact calendar day.

Fines & Compliance Penalties

Driving a passenger car with an expired Pickerl beyond the 2-month tolerance window can incur administrative fines starting from €100 up to €5,000 under the KFG (Krafahrgesetz). Additionally, insurance coverage (Kasko / Haftpflicht) may be compromised in the event of an accident.

Automated Expiry Tracking with WrooWroo

Never let a tolerance window deadline slip by. WrooWroo automatically calculates your car’s 3-2-1 inspection schedule and sends smart reminders before your tolerance window closes.