Confusion about Technical Certificates? New rules in typical scenarios, questions and answers25/1/2024|Press releasesSince 1 January 2024, drivers have had only a single document instead of the original two documents to their vehicles. This single document contains the most important technical parameters of the vehicle. This change has raised a number of questions among drivers and vehicle owners. Here are some typical scenarios and answers to the most frequently asked questions about vehicle certificates. The fundamental information is that technical certificates of vehicles will not be collected from all vehicle owners at once, but only when changes are made in the Vehicle Registry. Until then, they remain valid and will not be collected, not even at the regular technical inspection of the vehicle. Therefore, the technical certificate will only be necessary for those buying a vehicle or applying to amend information, such as registering a trailer. However, it will still be possible to apply for an invalidated technical certificate. Scenario A) Martina is selling her 10-year-old Mazda Martina submits the technical certificate of her vehicle to the Vehicle Registry and the officer checks its details against the Vehicle Registry. If any information about the vehicle is missing or does not match the records in the Registry, the officer will correct any errors so that the new vehicle owner has peace of mind that all information in the Vehicle Registry is complete. Scenario B) Pavel is buying the 10-year-old Mazda from Martina Pavel now receives only the new vehicle registration certificate containing the most important technical parameters of the vehicle. All data in the Vehicle Registry is already correct and complete, and Pavel can obtain full information about the vehicle by scanning the QR code printed on the vehicle registration certificate, via the Citizen Portal, the Transport Portal, or – if he does not have an electronic identity – he can use the dataovozidlech.cz website or the eTechničák app. In the case that Pavel is not used to using the internet, he can apply for a simple extract of all the data at an office so that he has an official document in his hand. Scenario C) Petr has an 8-year-old Octavia and is now arriving at the regular technical (roadworthiness) inspection Although not required by law, we recommend that Peter brings the technical certificate with him. The technical inspection station will check that the information in the Vehicle Registry is complete and matches the information in the technical certificate. Historically, there may be some discrepancies between these data, but this is not caused by the Ministry of Transport, nor is it related to the digitisation of technical certificates. If the technician finds that any information is missing, he will scan the technical certificate into the technical inspection information system and sends it to the office of the local municipality with extended powers for completion. In the near future, Petr will have all the data in the Vehicle Register complete and error-free. Scenario D) Lenka has a vehicle that she doesn't want to get rid of Lenka has a 5-year-old Fabia that is in perfect condition, and she plans to keep it for many years to come. In this case, no-one forces Lenka to hand in the technical certificate to her vehicle and it will remain valid until Lenka decides to visit the office of the local municipality with extended powers to apply for a change in the Vehicle Registry. When she visits the office, the technical certificate will be withdrawn, invalidated and the officer will only issue a new vehicle registration certificate. Scenario E) Zdeněk wants to keep the technical certificate During his visit to the authority office, Zdeněk reported that he wanted to keep the technical certificate to his vintage vehicle. In accordance with the regulations, the officer invalidated the document by marking it "Void" (by stamping or cutting off a corner) together with the date on which the invalidation of the technical certificate took place, handed the document over back to Zdeněk and entered this information in the file. Zdeněk thus left with his technical certificate. Questions and answers: I have found a discrepancy between the data in my technical certificate and the Vehicle Registry. Which data are valid? Valid are always the data in the technical certificate, which is a public document. Transcription mistakes may have happened when authorities entered the data from the technical certificate in the Vehicle Registry. These mistakes are being removed gradually. How do I correct a Registry error on my vehicle? Data do not have to be corrected immediately. Any errors will be corrected free of charge by the Registry officer when, for example, a technical certificate is handed over to the officer when the vehicle is re-registered. He then invalidates the technical certificate by cutting off the corner. Can I keep my technical certificate after visiting the office? Yes, when you visit an office that makes changes to the Vehicle Registry, you can ask for a return of this document that is no longer valid. I am a holder of the “new” vehicle registration certificate. Do I have to have it with me during a roadside check, accident or regular (roadworthiness) technical inspection? You do not need to have the small vehicle registration certificate with you for a roadside check or road accident. Vehicle data will be retrieved directly from the Vehicle Registry. However, for a regular technical inspection of your vehicle, you always need to carry your registration certificate with you. This applies to both new vehicle registration certificates, as well as to those issued before 2024.