Appointments for vehicle examinations are booked with the appropriate vehicle examination centre well in advance. On the specified date, the vehicle will be presented at the vehicle examination centre, and the following documents are required before the examination can commence:-
- Registration book
- Insurance Certificate
- Carrier’s Licence (applicable to goods vehicle)
- Public Service Vehicle Licence (applicable to taxi and stage carriage / contract bus)
- Receipt showing payment of examination fees.
If the vehicle is found fit, it will be issued with a certificate of fitness. In case it is found defective, the vehicle presenter / owner will be issued with an examination form indicating the defects, which will have to be repaired and the vehicle re-submitted for re-examination. The frequency in which vehicles are to be presented for an examination can be found on the Frequency Table (add link) We need to verify the current frequency of testing.
| TYPES OF VEHICLES | AGE | FREQUENCY AND DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Motor cycles older than 7 years |
Up to 11 years Above 11 years up to 20 year Above 20 years |
24 months 12 months 6 months |
| Private cars older than 7 years |
Up to 11 years Above 11 years up to 20 year Above 20 years |
24 months 12 months 6 months |
| Heavy cars older than 7 years |
Up to 11 years Above 11 years up to 20 year Above 20 years |
24 months 12 months 6 months |
| Vans and Dual purpose vehicles older than 7 years |
Up to 11 years Above 11 years up to 20 year Above 20 years |
24 months 12 months 6 months |
| Taxis and Contract Buses |
Up to 4 years Above 4 years |
18 months 12 months |
| Public Buses (stage carriage) |
Up to 3 years Above 3 years |
18 months 12 months |
| Contract Cars | Every 12 months | |
| Goods vehicles |
Up to 3 years Above 3 years up to 20 years Above 20 years |
18 months 12 months 6 months |
| Oversize Vehicle | Every 6 months |
The vehicle needs to be presented at the vehicle examination centre together with the following documents:
- Bill of entry
- Receipt from MRA showing payment of customs duty
- Receipt from NTA showing payment of examination fees
- Foreign registration book and pre-shipment inspection certificate (applicable to Second Hand Vehicle)
- Weighbridge certificate (applicable to Goods Vehicles)
- Motor Vehicle dealer’s licence (TP) or Removal Permit (TEM)
After verification of the vehicle, a form containing all the particulars of the vehicle will be issued, which will have to be produced at the Registration Section, NTA Head Office, Cassis for the registration of the vehicle.
A vehicle owner has to inform the NTA in writing of the change of an engine, mentioning the serial number of the new engine.
The vehicle owner has to produce the vehicle at the examination centre together with a letter containing the information on the change of engine, the registration book and a receipt from the person from whom the engine was purchased.
After verification of the vehicle, the vehicle owner will be issued with an amendment slip, which he / she will have to produce together with the registration book at the Registration Section, NTA Head Office for the necessary amendments to be affected.
The vehicle owner has to inform the NTA in writing of the change of colour of his / her vehicle.
The vehicle has to be presented at the examination centre together with the letter informing the NTA, as well as the registration book.
After verification of the vehicle, an amendment slip will be issued, which the vehicle owner will have to produce together with the registration book at the Registration Section, NTA Head Office for the necessary amendment to be affected, in their records.
A vehicle owner must apply to the NTA for authorisation to carry out any modification to any vehicle.
A plan should be submitted at the same time showing the proposed modification.
Approval will be conveyed to the vehicle owner in the case that it complies with the provisions of the law and the vehicle owner will be requested to produce the vehicle at the examination centre for verification.
In case of accident where the frame is damaged, the owner applies for a change of frame, supported by a certificate from an Insurance Surveyor and a report from the Police.
The vehicle is taken to the Examination Centre for verification. In case it is found genuine, the Examiner submits a report to that effect and subsequently a frame number is allocated and plated.
Vehicle is taken to the vehicle examination centre for verification. In case it is found genuine, the examiner submits a report to that effect and new chassis number is allocated and plated.
Trailer is taken to the Examination Centre for verification: together with the following documents
- Certificate from a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer;
- Weighbridge certificate; and
- Removal Permit or TP
If it complies with the regulations, a report is submitted by the Vehicle Examiner to that effect and a chassis number is allocated and plated. Subsequently, the particulars of the vehicle form are issued for registration purposes.
A black smoke notice is served by a Road Transport Inspectors or Police Officer to a vehicle found emitting heavy black smoke on the roads.
After repairs, the vehicle will have to call at the examination centre for verification.
At the examination centre, a smoke meter is used to check the opacity standard. If it fails to comply with the required norms (50 percent), a prohibition notice will served on the vehicle.
A prohibition notice is served on a vehicle found unfit to be used in the roads by a Road Transport Inspector or a Police officer. The certificate of fitness is removed and forwarded to the vehicle examination centre.
After repairs, the vehicle will have to call at the examination centre for verification. In case it is found fit, its certificate of fitness will be reinstated.
Vehicle Examiners also issue prohibition notice to vehicles in case they are found unfit when they call for examination following the issue of black smoke notices.
Before proceeding with coach building, the coachbuilder submits a plan to that effect to the Authority for approval. If it complies with the regulations, it is approved and if not, modifications have to be brought.
After the completion of body works, the bus should be taken to the vehicle examination centre for verification together with the approved plan.
Following request from the importers, Vehicle Examiners are deputed to examine the vehicles on site and particulars of the vehicle forms are issued for registration purposes.