Ministry Announcement: Vehicle Inspections Postponed Due to Coronavirus! Following a circular issued by the Ministry of Interior, a curfew has been imposed for those aged 65 and over and for people with chronic illnesses. As a result of this restriction, vehicle inspection appointments for citizens aged 65 and older, and for those in that age group with chronic health conditions, have been postponed. The Ministry has sent directives to provincial offices as part of measures to combat the coronavirus. Vehicle inspections for citizens aged 65 and over who are subject to the curfew have been deferred. Likewise, vehicle inspection processes for individuals in this age group who have chronic illnesses have been postponed.
According to the Ministry’s announcement, vehicle inspections for people aged 65 and over and for those in that age group with chronic conditions have been delayed. Citizens in the affected age group who are under the curfew will be able to complete their vehicle inspections within 45 days after the curfew is lifted.
Vehicle Inspections Postponed as of the Start Date of the Curfew
Vehicle inspections have been postponed from the date the curfew began. As coronavirus cases rise here as in many countries worldwide, the government has taken a series of measures to minimize harm. One of the most significant steps has been imposing a curfew on citizens aged 65 and over and on those in that age group with chronic illnesses. After imposing this restriction, authorities announced that inspections would be postponed so that these citizens can remain at home safely for the duration of the curfew.
The Ministry issued a circular detailing these measures. Key points in the circular include the following:
Under Article 34 of Highway Traffic Law No. 2918, motor vehicles put into traffic must undergo periodic technical inspections to verify they meet required standards. If a vehicle is operated without a valid inspection, the vehicle owner faces administrative fines and penalties. If a vehicle is not inspected within the prescribed period, it may be removed from traffic. However, because citizens aged 65 and over and those with chronic conditions cannot safely leave their homes during the curfew and therefore cannot attend inspection appointments, enforcing penalties would compel vulnerable people to leave home and expose themselves to risk. For this reason, the directive reminds officials that such sanctions would be counterproductive in this situation.
Given these considerations, the circular instructs that vehicle inspections for the affected age group are postponed from the start date of the curfew. Once the curfew is lifted, those citizens will have 45 days to complete the required vehicle inspections.