Most states in the US require annual vehicle inspections to ensure the cars and trucks are road worthy and safe to drive. The Netherlands also requires these inspections once a vehicle is over three years old. The periodic motor vehicle inspection is known in The Netherlands as APK, (algemene periodieke keuring). A car needs its first APK when its 3 years old and then annually after that. You will need to show proof of APK when you register and re-register your POV at AFNORTH. Also, failure to have a valid APK can cost you a hefty fine if you are stopped at a random vehicle inspection checkpoint in The Netherlands.
The APK checks the vehicle's technical standards and helps to keep the roads safe. Prices of the APK vary, so it is wise to check several APK checking stations. If you develop a relationship with a particular garage you should check to see if they perform APK services; not all garages can do the inspection. Otherwise, just look for an APK sign outside of a garage. Look for "Zonder Afspraak" on their sign. This means you can get an inspection "without an appointment". In the Schinnen area there are several garages that do APK inspections zonder afspraak for €39. Strangely, and it certainly is a huge loss of income for them, the garage at Schinnen does not do APK inspections.
What they check:
- Braking systems
- Steering and steering wheel
- Visibility of the vehicle (all glass and required mirrors)
- Lamps/lights
- Reflectors and electrical equipment
- Tires
- Axles
- Wheels and suspension
- Chassis and chassis attachments
- Safety Equipment
It is your personal responsibility to arrange the APK on time. Nobody is going to tell you that it is time for your APK. If your car or truck is in good shape and everything works as it is supposed to, the APK inspection will take twenty minutes more or less. It has been my experience that not everyone that works at a car garage speaks English. Because of the tiered education system, people going into the vocational-technical fields do not spend as much time studying languages and other more "academic" subjects. Be patient. If they want your business they will find someone in the shop that can speak enough English to help you out.
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