<P> Finland has a long tradition of vehicle inspection, dating back to year 1917 . Vehicle inspection was initially carried by cities and provincial inspectors but starting from year 1968 the inspection moved to national governing body of road vehicle administration known as Autorekisterikeskus . In 1994 the vehicle inspection was opened for competition and in 1996 Autorekisterikeskus was split as administrative body Ajoneuvohallintokeskus (AKE) and inspection company Suomen Autokatsastus Oy . Nowadays, Liikenteen Turvallisuusvirasto TraFi, the successor of Ajoneuvohallintokeskus since beginning of the 2010, governs the inspection companies and keeps track of inspection quality and the inspections are carried by private companies . During the years, the inspection procedures and facilities have improved greatly and nowadays the quality of inspection is on such level that mechanical failures as immediate cause for fatal crashes in whole country are minimal . </P> <P> In Finland, the "Määräaikaiskatsastus" (periodic inspection) is required for all passenger cars, vans, trucks, ATVs and for trailers with maximum structural weight of more than 750 kilograms . Inspection interval depends on vehicle class and usage . For privately used passenger car, inspection must be carried after three and five years counting from the specified date of first deployment and every year after fifth year . For privately used van, the first inspection must be carried after three years and every year after third year . If there is no specified date of first deployment (for instance 00.00. 1987) the time of inspection is determined by the last number of license plate . The inspection period also varies depending on vehicle class and usage but for privately used passenger cars and vans the length of the period is four months preceding the date specified in date of first deployment or four months preceding the last date of inspection specified by the license plate number . </P> <P> The periodic inspection includes verification of vehicle register information (VIN, taxes, insurance), a test drive, brake testing, inspection of lights and compulsory equipment, superficial inspection for visibility and handling hindrances and bodywork, undercarriage inspection for suspension parts and corrosion and emission measurements (requirements vary depending on propellant and date of first deployment). The emission measurement can be taken on a registered repair shop prior to the inspection . If done so, a proper measurement certificate must be shown at inspection . Upon passed inspection, a new "Part one" of registration certificate is printed and handed to customer among with inspection report . If inspection fails, the faults found during the inspection must be repaired and the vehicle needs to be shown at the same inspection station for "Jälkitarkastus" (recheck) within one month of the inspection . </P> <P> Vehicle testing has been mandatory in France since 1992 . The first inspection (Contrôle Technique) is carried out after four years then subsequently every two years . A blue and white CT sticker affixed inside the windscreen indicates when the next test is due . A less than 6 month valid CT is required prior to transfer of ownership . </P>

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