HUAUBescheinigungen

HU-AU-Bescheinigungen are official certificates in Germany that document the outcome of the Hauptuntersuchung (HU) and Abgasuntersuchung (AU) for motor vehicles. They are issued after a vehicle undergoes the periodic safety and emissions checks performed by authorized testing organizations, such as TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, or KÜS, under the supervision of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The certificate serves as proof that the vehicle met the required roadworthiness and emissions standards at the time of the test.

Legal basis and purpose: Germany requires regular inspections to ensure vehicle safety and environmental compliance. For passenger cars, the HU is due at intervals (typically every two years, with the first HU after three years from initial registration). The AU is usually performed in conjunction with the HU. The HU/AU certificate may be requested by authorities during traffic checks, during vehicle registration or re-registration, and when selling a vehicle, to demonstrate current compliance.

Contents and issuance: The HU/AU-Bescheinigung includes the date of the test, the results for HU and AU (whether they passed or failed), the expiry date of the current certificate, the testing organization’s details, a certificate or reference number, and vehicle identifiers such as the license plate and vehicle identification number. The document is issued to the vehicle owner and is typically presented together with the vehicle’s registration documents.

Use, validity, and consequences: A valid HU/AU certificate confirms roadworthiness and is required for lawful road use. If the certificate is expired or the test is failed, the vehicle may not be legally driven until issues are addressed and a new certificate is issued. In cases of failure, a follow-up inspection is usually required after repairs.

Context: In other German-speaking regions, similar inspections exist under different names, e.g., Austria’sPickerl, which serves a comparable purpose.