Performing periodic technical inspections motor vehicles (APK)

Do you want to perform periodic technical inspections of motor vehicles (PTI, Algemene Periodieke Keuring, APK) in the Netherlands? Your company must be recognised by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). Only an authorised APK inspector (APK-keurmeester) may perform this inspection.

Applying for APK recognition

You can apply for an APK recognition (in Dutch) to the RDW for performing inspections on heavy vehicles (APK 1), light vehicles (APK 2) and/or agricultural vehicles (APK 3).

To apply for approval to perform APK inspections your company must meet the conditions:

• You meet the conditions for the Basic recognition (Basiserkenning, in Dutch): your company must be registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and you have to submit a valid certificate of conduct (VOG).
• You or one of your employees is an authorised APK inspector (APK-keurmeester). 
• You have the necessary equipment and approved measuring instruments (in Dutch).
• Your inspection area is covered, heated, and lit, and can be locked.
• You have a room where you can do the records.

If you want to apply for more than 1 branch of your business, you must apply for an additional recognition for each location separately (in Dutch).

APK inspector

Only authorised APK inspectors are allowed to perform periodical technical inspections. You need to pass an exam with IBKI (in Dutch) to receive your professional qualification and credentials as an APK inspector. To retain your authorisation you need to pass the APK qualification extension exam every 2 years (in Dutch). You can find more information on the IBKI website (in Dutch).

Inspection requirements

If you inspect vehicles, you have to keep to certain rules and testing requirements, for example:

• you need verify the registration plates, vehicle identification number (VIN), and first date of registration in the vehicle registration system
• you need to write the result of the inspection on an inspection report, for which you can use the model inspection report (in Dutch)

The parts you need to check and the manner of inspection are listed in the APK manual by the RDW (in Dutch), including for instance:

• the steering and suspension systems, including the brakes, wheels and tyres
• the exterior body and frame
• the exhaust system and the vehicle’s emissions
• the interior, such as the pedals, seats, and seat belts
• the electronic (passenger) safety systems and other electrical systems

You can find extensive information on this topic on the APK regulations website (in Dutch).

Reporting APK inspections

You must always report the status of the cars you inspected to RDW using your APK credentials (APK-pas, in Dutch). This applies to both approved and rejected vehicles. You can do so online via APK Webdirect (in Dutch).

Complaints procedure

Did you reject a vehicle and does the customer not agree? Then they can object. You have to provide the customer with the inspection report and  you must inform the RDW immediately. The RDW will check if the rejection is justified. If the rejection is found to be incorrect, you have to pay the costs of the re-examination.