Vehicle inspection (ITP) in Moldova: cost and frequency
Periodic technical inspection (known locally as ITP) is the mandatory safety check that every vehicle registered in Moldova must pass to stay road legal. The rules are set out in the Road Transport Code (Law no. 150/2014).
How often the inspection is done
How often you need an inspection depends on the type of vehicle:
- Passenger cars and most ordinary vehicles are inspected once a year.
- Public passenger transport and vehicles carrying dangerous goods are inspected once every 6 months.
What documents you need at the station
- The vehicle registration certificate
- A valid RCA (third-party liability) insurance policy
- Proof that you have paid the road tax (taxa de drum)
- The ID of the person bringing the vehicle in
- The car's mandatory equipment: fire extinguisher, first aid kit and warning triangle
How much the inspection costs
There is no single fixed price for the inspection. Each authorised station sets its own fee, paid in full before the check. On top of the station fee, two costs are mandatory:
- The road tax, calculated by engine size. For a 1400 cc engine, for example, it is around 820 lei a year. Without it you cannot pass the inspection.
- A valid RCA insurance policy, which you need to drive legally anyway.
From 1 January 2026, the road tax for electric cars is calculated by vehicle weight instead of engine size.
How long it lasts and what to do if it expires
If the vehicle passes, you get a report valid for one year (or six months for categories inspected twice a year). If defects are found, you get a temporary report valid for 30 days, during which you fix the issues and come back for a retest. You are not allowed to drive with an expired inspection, so it is best to book the test in advance.
Tip
Pay the road tax and check your RCA policy before heading to the station. That saves you a second trip if a document is missing.