When does your ITP (car inspection) expire and what it costs in 2026

The ITP (Inspecția Tehnică Periodică — the periodic technical inspection) is mandatory for every vehicle registered in Romania. Without a valid ITP you are not allowed to drive on public roads, and if the police stop you, you risk a fine and having your plates withdrawn. Here is, in short, how often it is due, what it costs in 2026 and how to never forget about it again.

How often is the ITP due?

The interval depends on the type of vehicle. It is counted from the date of the last inspection, not from the start of the year:

• —Passenger cars (category M1) and motorcycles — once every 2 years.
• —Light commercial and goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (N1) — once a year.
• —Taxis, passenger transport, driving-school vehicles, ambulances — every 6 months.
• —Trailers and caravans over 750 kg — usually once every 2 years.

How much does the ITP cost in 2026?

The price varies by station, vehicle category and fuel type (diesel cars are usually a bit more expensive because of the emissions test). As a rough guide for 2026:

• —Petrol car — roughly 100–200 lei.
• —Diesel car — roughly 130–250 lei.
• —Van / goods vehicle — usually more, depending on weight.

What gets checked at the ITP

The inspector goes through a standardised list of safety points. The most important are:

• —The braking system (efficiency and balance across axles)
• —Steering and wheel alignment
• —Lighting and signalling
• —Exhaust emissions (the emissions test)
• —Tyres, suspension and shock absorbers
• —Bodywork, safety components and seat belts

If something is a “minor defect”, you still pass but must fix it. For a “major” or “dangerous” defect, you have to repair it and come back for a re-check.

What documents you need

• —The vehicle registration certificate (talon)
• —The ID of the person presenting the vehicle
• —The vehicle identity card, if the station asks for it

What you risk with an expired ITP

Driving with an expired ITP is not just a fine. The real consequences are:

• —A fine of several hundred lei (the amount is calculated in penalty points and rises with the minimum wage).
• —Withdrawal of the registration certificate and plates until the ITP is done.
• —A ban on driving — in practice the car stays put until you sort it out.
• —A risk on your insurance (RCA): if you cause an accident with an expired ITP, the insurer can reclaim the money it paid out (right of recovery).

That last point is the most expensive one: a minor accident can turn into a debt of thousands of euros just because you forgot about an inspection.

How to never forget the ITP again

Most ITP fines are not down to bad intent, but to forgetting. The date is two years away, you note it “somewhere”, and it disappears. The fix is an automatic reminder that warns you in advance.

With Carvix you add the ITP expiry date once and the app automatically emails you 30, 7 and 1 day before. You can also sync with Google Calendar. It works the same way for insurance (RCA), road tax and services — all in one place.