Passing the gas check temporarily no requisite for obtaining German HU vehicle inspection approval

Since 1 January of this year, motor caravans and caravans need no longer have their onboard liquid gas systems inspected in order for their vehicles to pass Germany’s HU technical inspection. Up until 31 December of 2019, failure to obtain the G 607-certificate attesting that liquid gas installations had passed an inspection led to denial of the HU sticker. The German law entitled HU-Richtlinie of 31 December 2919, which was published in the Verkehrsblatt 24/2019 Nr. 176 and which supplants the previous version, promulgates that enforcement of the regulation is to be suspended until 1 January 2023. The reason given for this change is the lack of accuracy and reliability of the instruments used for the inspection, owing to calibration issues. Plans call for fleshing out the requirements to which these instruments are subject during the three-year suspension.

Liquid gas heaters still subject to inspection for the HU

The new law does not promulgate any change in the regulation governing liquid gas heaters in leisure vehicles, their inspection being part of the HU. According to Germany’s Ministry of Transport, disallowed, damaged or inadequately fastened components are still considered to be a significant defect and will continue to lead to denial of the HU sticker. To avoid this, motor caravan and caravan owners should continue the practice of having their liquid gas heaters inspected by a qualified professional prior to the HU inspection.

Gas installations in leisure vehicles should in any case be inspected every two years

Although liquid gas installations in leisure vehicles won’t need to pass the gas check to pass the HU inspection again until 2023, the German caravanning industry association CIVD recommends that caravan and motor caravan owners have their liquid gas systems undergo the G 607 inspection in the meantime in the usual two-year interval, and that such inspections be carried out by a certified professional. “All leisure vehicle owners are still responsible for the safety of their onboard liquid gas installations,” notes Jost Krüger, Technical Director of the CIVD. “By having their motor caravans and caravans undergo and pass the G 607 inspection, the owners of these vehicles demonstrate that their onboard liquid gas installations are in good order and condition. This has the twofold advantage of guaranteeing the general safety and at the same time being on the safe side in the event an insurance claim is filed,” Mr. Krüger said. “And apart from that, many camp sites require leisure vehicles to be emblazoned with a valid gas inspection sticker. Owners of motor caravans and caravans whose vehicles are lacking this certification run the risk of being refused admission to certain camp sites,” Mr. Krüger added.