UVV inspections in Germany: what must be inspected, how often and by whom
Company car, forklift, lifting platform, crane: the “UVV inspection” (UVV-Prüfung) is the recurring inspection under German accident prevention regulations. What it covers, which intervals apply and why the TÜV roadworthiness test does not replace it.
Last updated on 8 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- “UVV inspection” is the everyday name for recurring inspections under the accident prevention regulations (Unfallverhütungsvorschriften, UVV) of the German employers' liability insurance associations – especially for vehicles, industrial trucks, cranes and lifting accessories.
- Company vehicles must be inspected by a competent person as needed, but at least once a year (Section 57 DGUV Regulation 70); the same applies to forklifts under DGUV Regulation 68.
- The roadworthiness test (Hauptuntersuchung) at the TÜV does not replace the UVV inspection: it checks road safety, while the UVV inspection checks safety at work.
- The result must be recorded in writing and kept at least until the next inspection. A sticker alone is not enough.
What is a UVV inspection?
UVV stands for Unfallverhütungsvorschriften – the binding accident prevention regulations of the German employers' liability insurance associations and public accident insurance funds, now called “DGUV Regulations”. Several of them require certain work equipment to be inspected regularly for safe operating condition. In practice, these recurring inspections are called “UVV inspections” – it is not a formal legal term.
Alongside the accident prevention regulations, the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) also requires inspections of work equipment (Section 14 BetrSichV). The two sets of rules work together: the employer sets the type, scope and intervals of inspections in the risk assessment (Section 3 (6) BetrSichV), and the accident prevention regulations set minimum intervals for some work equipment.
Which work equipment needs a UVV inspection
Company vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, trailers)
Minimum intervalas needed, at least annually
BasisSection 57 DGUV Regulation 70
Inspected bycompetent person
Forklifts and other industrial trucks
Minimum intervalas needed, at least annually
BasisDGUV Regulation 68
Inspected bycompetent person
Cranes
Minimum intervalas needed, at least annually; certain cranes additionally by experts
BasisDGUV Regulation 52
Inspected bycompetent person, expert
Lifting and slinging equipment (chains, ropes, lifting slings)
Minimum intervalat least annually
BasisDGUV Rule 100-500
Inspected byqualified person
Vehicle lifts and mobile elevating work platforms
Minimum intervalat least annually
BasisBetrSichV, manufacturer's instructions
Inspected byqualified person
Electrical equipment and installations
Minimum interval6 months to 4 years depending on type
BasisDGUV Regulation 3
Inspected byqualified electrician
Ladders, racking, power-operated doors
Minimum intervalaccording to the risk assessment, in practice usually annually
BasisBetrSichV and related rules
Inspected byqualified person
The risk assessment shows which work equipment applies in your company. Ladders, racking and electrical equipment each have their own guide with the details.
UVV inspection for company vehicles
All vehicles used in the company – from the company car to the van to the truck – are covered by DGUV Regulation 70 “Vehicles”. Under Section 57, they must be inspected for safe operating condition by a competent person as needed, but at least once a year. The result must be recorded in writing and kept until the next inspection. Typical checkpoints:
- brakes, steering, lighting and tyres
- load securing: lashing points, bulkhead, tension straps
- bodywork, tail lift and towbar
- safety equipment: warning triangle, high-visibility vest, first aid kit
- field of view, mirrors and reversing alarm
In addition, drivers check their vehicle for obvious defects before setting off. And because the vehicle keeper may not let anyone drive without a driving licence (Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act, StVG), most companies check driving licences regularly – often every six months.
Inspection register in AMS GoVehicles, forklifts, cranes and all other work equipment that requires inspection with interval, report and reminder – per site and on mobile.Forklifts, cranes and slinging equipment
Industrial trucks – from forklifts to electric pallet trucks – must be inspected at least once a year by a competent person under DGUV Regulation 68. An inspection sticker showing the next date on the truck, in addition to the inspection report, has proven useful.
Cranes are inspected by a competent person under DGUV Regulation 52 as needed, at least annually; certain power-driven cranes additionally require inspections by experts. Load handling attachments such as spreader beams and slinging equipment such as chains, wire ropes and lifting slings are inspected at least annually by a qualified person (DGUV Rule 100-500); round steel chains are also checked for cracks at longer intervals.
Besides the equipment, the people need the right qualifications: anyone who operates a forklift or crane needs training and written authorisation.
Who may carry out the UVV inspection?
The accident prevention regulations speak of a “competent person” (Sachkundiger), the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health of a “person qualified to carry out inspections” (zur Prüfung befähigte Person). Both mean someone who, through training, professional experience and recent practice, has the knowledge needed to assess the safe condition of the work equipment. This can be:
- master mechanics or specialist workshops for company vehicles
- manufacturer's service or inspection providers for forklifts, cranes and lifts
- your own trained employees – many inspection organisations offer courses for qualified persons
- experts wherever the regulations explicitly require them
The employer decides who inspects. They must make sure the person is qualified for the work equipment in question and record this in a traceable way.
Documentation and records
The result of every inspection must be recorded and kept at least until the next inspection (Section 17 BetrSichV, Section 57 DGUV Regulation 70). An inspection report contains at least:
- the work equipment with a unique identifier – registration, inventory or serial number
- date, type and scope of the inspection
- defects found and whether the work equipment may continue to be used
- name of the person who carried out the inspection
- the next inspection date
Organising UVV inspections in 5 steps
- 1
Record your equipment
List all work equipment that requires inspection with identifier, location and responsible person – including rented equipment and rarely used vehicles.
- 2
Set intervals
Adopt the minimum intervals from the regulations and check in the risk assessment whether operating conditions require shorter intervals.
- 3
Appoint inspectors
Decide who inspects what – your own qualified persons or service providers – and plan dates so that not all vehicles and equipment are out of action at the same time.
- 4
Fix defects
Take work equipment with safety-relevant defects out of service immediately, commission the repair and have it inspected again afterwards.
- 5
File the records
Keep inspection reports in one place and enter the next date with a reminder so that no deadline is missed.
Checklist: UVV inspections
- All vehicles, forklifts, cranes, lifts and slinging equipment recorded
- Inspection intervals per item set in the risk assessment
- Competent or qualified persons appointed
- Inspection reports with defects and next date available
- Defective equipment is locked out and re-inspected after repair
- Driving licence checks and driver instruction organised
- Reminders for due inspections set up
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, no sign-up – free to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UVV inspection mandatory?
Yes. For vehicles, industrial trucks and cranes, DGUV Regulations 70, 68 and 52 require at least annual inspections; for other work equipment, the inspection duty follows from the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health.
How often does a company car need a UVV inspection?
As needed, but at least once a year (Section 57 DGUV Regulation 70) – regardless of the roadworthiness test, which is due at its own intervals under road traffic law.
Does the TÜV roadworthiness test replace the UVV inspection?
No. The roadworthiness test checks road safety, the UVV inspection checks safe operating condition for work. Many workshops offer both, but they remain two inspections with separate records.
Who may carry out the UVV inspection?
A competent person or a person qualified to carry out inspections – for example a master mechanic, the manufacturer's service, an inspection provider or trained employees of your own. The employer must ensure the person is qualified for the work equipment in question.
What happens if the UVV inspection has expired?
Work equipment that requires inspection may only be used if the inspections have been carried out and documented (Section 4 (4) BetrSichV). If an accident happens, the missed inspection may be treated as organisational negligence – with fines and possible recourse claims by the accident insurance institution.
Terms from the glossary
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
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