The preliminary vehicle identity check is an official procedure designed to establish the authenticity of the vehicle's identification data and documents. The authority performs the vehicle identity check through inspection stations as contributing entities, and issues an official certificate about the results of the identity check. The attestation activity of the contributing entity involved in the preliminary vehicle identity check (hereinafter: “contributing entity”) is a service activity which is pursued by the inspection station during the identity check. The contributing activity is listed in the Standard Classification of Economic Activities (TEÁOR'08) under sector 71 “Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis”, more specifically under sub-sector 71.2 “Technical testing and analysis”, special sub-category 71.20 “Technical testing and analysis”.

Contributing activity may be pursued by any entity which complies with the substantive law requirements described in detail below. The contributing entity is a licensed organisation which contributes to the clarification of facts in respect of attesting the data relating to the authenticity of the vehicle.

Attestation activity may only be pursued in inspection stations:

1. where the legally prescribed material and personal requirements for the authentic record and unalterable storage of the data in the registration certificate and other specific data required for the vehicle identity check (applicant's name and address; identification number and type of the document of the vehicle; the licence registration code of the inspector and the administrator, issued by the registry; technical data measured and identified and image data recorded according to the regulations; identification and technical data of the vehicle; individual identification mark and code of the engine of the vehicle), as well as the undamaged transfer of such data to the authority, are met;
2. which undertakes (in respect of specific vehicle types and categories) to continuously fulfil the duties relating to the preliminary vehicle identity check;
3. which has a compulsory liability insurance for its activity;
4. which employs or otherwise contracts a person licensed to perform preliminary vehicle identity check in person;
5. which applies the legally prescribed inspection methodology; see:,
6. which has a data transfer connection that ensures the unalterable storage of data recorded in the above manner as well as the direct and undamaged transfer of data to the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services;
7. which complies with the IT and safety requirements prescribed for the vehicle identity check procedure; see: ,
8. which ensures that no unauthorized person may enter the inspection room (place of inspection) during the vehicle identity check procedure;
9. which ensures that the vehicle can be inspected from all directions;
10. which has an electronic and mechanical security system; and furthermore:

Personal requirements:

1. Vehicle identity checks may only be performed by an adult administrator and inspector.
2. Administrator: a person who is contracted by the contributing entity for the purpose of assisting in the preliminary vehicle identity check and who is licensed to do administrative tasks during the contributing activity performed within the framework of the vehicle identity check as an official procedure.
3. Inspector: a person who is contracted by the contributing entity for the purpose of assisting in the preliminary vehicle identity check and who is licensed to do inspecting tasks during the contributing activity performed within the framework of the vehicle identity check as an official procedure.
4. Vehicle identity checks may only be performed by an adult administrator and inspector who:

• has a clean criminal record;
• is not prohibited from any trade, profession or activity which would exclude his participation in the preliminary vehicle identity check as administrator or inspector;
• has the vocational qualification prescribed by law; see  and
• fulfils his further training obligations required by law. 

Procedures connected with starting and pursuing the service activity

As regards the contributing activity, the county and metropolitan transportation inspectorates functioning as the transportation administrative organs of county and metropolitan government offices shall act as the authority which licenses the activity, concludes the administrative contracts with the licensed contributing entity, monitors the contributing activity (in respect of the administrative contract) and supervises the service activity (in respect of the administrative contract).

As regards the contributing activity, the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services shall act as the authority which keeps the register of contributing entities, their premises and branch offices, administrative contracts, inspectors and administrators; monitors the contributing activity, and supervises the service activity.

The contributing activity is subject to compliance with the requirements of performing preliminary vehicle identity check based on the licensing procedure of the regionally competent county and metropolitan transportation inspectorate (hereinafter: “transportation inspectorate”), and to the conclusion of the administrative contract concerning the contributing to the clarification of facts.

Application for a licence for pursuing the contributing activity shall be submitted to the transportation inspectorate in writing or orally in person. Currently, procedures cannot be started electronically due to technical reasons.

Application shall be submitted together with the following:

1. if the applicant is not listed in the register of taxpayers exempt from public debts, a public document not older than 30 days certifying that the applicant at the time of applying for the licence has no public debt under the Act on the Rules of Taxation;
2. the applicant's statement that
   • he meets the statutory requirements for pursuing the activity, and
   • if he receives the licence, he assumes liability for the consequences of breaching any legally prescribed obligation to be included in the administrative contract, i.e. he accepts that in case of a breach of contract the administrative contract shall qualify as an enforceable decision and the authority shall ex officio provide for the enforcement thereof.

Furthermore, in respect of starting the activity, the application shall be submitted together with a reporting statement about the person of the administrator and the inspector who will assist the work of the contributing entity.

The transportation inspectorate shall decide on the conclusion of the administrative contract within 45 days.

If the application meets all statutory requirements, the transportation inspectorate shall give licence to the applicant to pursue the contributing activity and shall subsequently conclude the administrative contract with the applicant for an indefinite term.

The general procedural duty of HUF 3,000 shall be paid by the applicant for the licensing procedure. The duty shall be paid in duty stamp upon submission of the application.

The Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services shall keep an up-to-date record of licensed contributing entities.

The contributing entity may only pursue the vehicle identity check activity through the administrator and inspector reported by the contributing entity to the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services. The above reporting statement shall be made upon submission and as an integral part of the application for licence.

The reporting statement about the person of the inspector and the administrator shall specify the following:

1. personal identification data of the inspector and the administrator as individuals;
2. the legal relationship between the contributing entity and the inspector/administrator; and
3. the number of the document certifying compliance with the qualification requirements.

Submission of the reporting statement is free of any duty or charge.

Any change in the identification data of the contributing entity or the inspection station, or in the data relating to authorisation shall be reported to the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services within 5 days directly by the contributing entity or (in the case of the inspector or the administrator) through the contributing entity. Such changes may be reported to the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services in writing or orally in person. Currently, data changes cannot be reported electronically due to technical reasons. Such obligation to report data changes is not subject to any fee or duty.

Pursuing the activity in the framework of cross-border services

There is no sectoral rule concerning the contributing activity under which any person who lawfully pursues this activity in his country of residence (within the EU or EEA) should obtain a separate licence or make a separate legal statement in the case of cross-border activity involving Hungary (i.e. an activity not requiring the settlement of the person or pursued occasionally or in a temporary manner).

Cross-border service provision

If you wish to launch this service in the form of cross-border service provision, please click here to read the general conditions of cross-border service provision in Hungary.

Rules of law governing the service activity and procedures

Sectoral rules of law primarily governing the contributing activity and procedures:

1. Act LXXXIV of 1999 on the Registration of Motor Vehicles, 
2. Government Decree 301/2009 (22 December) on the Detailed Rules of Preliminary Vehicle Identity Check Procedure,
3. Government Decree 263/2006 (20 December) on the National Transport Authority,
4. Government Decree 276/2006 (23 December) on the Establishment, Duties and Competence of the Central Office of Administrative and Electronic Public Services,
5. Act CXL of 2004 on the General Rules of Administrative Proceedings and Services,
6. Act LXVI of 2009 on the General Rules on Taking up and Pursuit of Service Activities.