Owners of category "B" passenger cars are not required to undergo technical inspection in 2026 - the procedure is voluntary for them. This was reported to RIA Novosti by lawyer Anna Marchukova. Mandatory inspection remains for commercial transport, special equipment and cars with modifications to the design. For the absence of a diagnostic card, drivers of trucks and buses face a fine of 2,000 rubles - and it is charged daily until the violation is eliminated. At the same time, Russia is tightening the fight against the trade in fake cards: the government has prepared a draft according to which, from September 1, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation will be able to directly suspend the access of unscrupulous operators to the unified automated information system for technical inspection (EAISTO).
Who still needs a vehicle inspection in 2026
Passenger cars under the age of four are completely exempt from mandatory inspection. After four years, the procedure is only required when changing the owner or changing the design of the car. According to Marchukova, "the main burden falls on the owners of commercial vehicles and cars with design changes."
Special equipment - tow trucks, agricultural machinery - and trucks older than ten years undergo technical inspection annually. Cars with special signals, including ambulances, also once a year. Transport for the carriage of dangerous goods must undergo the procedure every six months.
How the control over vehicle inspection operators will change from September 2026
Now the operator photographs the car before and after the inspection, the data is entered into the EAISTO. The procedure is carried out under strict documentary control. However, the mechanism for combating fake cards still required the participation of insurers - they initiated the blocking of an unscrupulous operator.
According to the government draft, from September 1, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will have the right to independently suspend operators' access to the EAISTO. The basis will be two confirmed cases of issuing fake diagnostic cards within one year. The operator will be able to challenge the blocking by filing a complaint with the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 20 days.
Requirements for vehicle inspection in 2026
- Passenger cars (cat. B) up to 4 years - vehicle inspection is not required
- Passenger cars (cat. B) over 4 years - vehicle inspection only when changing the owner or changing the design
- Trucks over 10 years old, special equipment, cars with special signals - vehicle inspection annually
- Transport for the carriage of dangerous goods - vehicle inspection every six months
- Fine for the absence of a diagnostic card - 2000 rubles, charged daily
- Blocking of the EAISTO operator - from 09/01/2026, with 2 confirmed cases of fake cards per year; appeal - within 20 days
The daily accrual of a fine is a fundamental detail for small fleets and individual entrepreneurs. With a long delay, the amount quickly becomes comparable to the monthly revenue on the route. It was commercial transport that historically gave the greatest demand for fake diagnostic cards - the fine for their absence now makes this saving unprofitable.
Earlier www1.ru reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia developed a draft resolution allowing the police to quickly block fraudsters selling fake diagnostic cards on the Internet.
