This article covers the periodic roadworthiness test in Austria. It matters to you if your motorcycle is registered in Austria, if you are buying a bike there, moving there or commuting across the border with Austrian plates. Every motorcycle registered in Austria needs a valid inspection sticker under § 57a of the Austrian Motor Vehicles Act (KFG), known locally as the Pickerl. The deadlines are changing: under the 42nd KFG amendment (Federal Law Gazette BGBl. I No. 79/2026, published on 29 July 2026), a new 4-2-2-2-1 year interval replaces the 3-2-1 rule from 19 May 2027. At the same time, the grace period after the inspection month disappears. Here is what applies today, what changes in 2027, how the exchange sticker works and what to expect in terms of procedure and cost. All information as of November 2026.
In short
- Until 18 May 2027: first Pickerl three years after first registration, the next one two years later, then every year (3-2-1).
- From 19 May 2027: first Pickerl after four years, then three times at two-year intervals, then every year (4-2-2-2-1). This also applies to motorcycles.
- Grace period: today one month before to four months after the inspection month. In future up to four months before, with no grace period afterwards.
- Exchange sticker: from 19 May 2027 for vehicles already registered, without a new inspection, at most 10 euros handling fee plus the price of the sticker.
- Cost: there is no fixed price; each inspection centre sets its own.
What applies to the motorcycle Pickerl today
Since 1 March 2020, motorcycles have followed the same 3-2-1 rule as cars. The due date depends on the month of first registration, which you can see from the month punched into the sticker.
For category L vehicles, meaning mopeds, motorcycles and quads, you can currently have the inspection done from one month before to four months after the inspection month. Be careful when travelling abroad: this Austrian grace period is often not recognised in other countries.
New Pickerl intervals from 19 May 2027
The amendment changes § 57a(3)(3) KFG, the provision that covers motorcycles:
| Inspection | until 18 May 2027 | from 19 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| first | 3 years after first registration | 4 years after first registration |
| second | 2 years later | 2 years later |
| third | 1 year later | 2 years later |
| fourth | 1 year later | 2 years later |
| every further one | annually | annually |
| Time window | 1 month before to 4 months after the inspection month | up to 4 months before the inspection month, no grace period afterwards |
A new motorcycle therefore needs its first Pickerl only after four years, and from the tenth year after first registration it goes every year. Having the inspection done early does not change the date of the next one.
Does this really apply to motorcycles?
Yes. The text of the amendment itself does not name any vehicle categories; it only replaces the intervals in § 57a(3)(3). According to the explanatory notes in the report of the parliamentary transport committee, this provision covers vehicles of category L and category M1 (except taxis and ambulances) plus some other vehicles. The Austrian motoring club ÖAMTC also explicitly lists category L, with mopeds, motorcycles and quads, as affected.
Why the grace period disappears
According to the explanatory notes, EU Directive 2014/45/EU does not allow the test date to be exceeded with the longer intervals. In future, the same window therefore applies to all vehicles: up to four months before the inspection month, but no longer afterwards.
The exchange sticker for motorcycles already registered
The new intervals also apply to vehicles registered before 19 May 2027. If your sticker shows an earlier date than the new rule requires, from 19 May 2027 you can ask for a newly punched exchange sticker (Austauschplakette) without an inspection. The new date is calculated as follows:
- Never inspected: first inspection four years after first registration.
- Already inspected: next inspection two years after the last one, and annually from the tenth year after first registration at the latest.
Exchange stickers are issued by inspection centres, registration offices and the regional testing stations. The issuer may charge at most 10 euros on top of the price of the sticker. According to ÖAMTC, each vehicle can get one only once. You will not get an exchange sticker if the last inspection report shows a major defect or a dangerous defect.
Important: until the new sticker is on the bike, the date on the old one applies. If you keep riding after that date without an inspection or exchange, the explanatory notes say this is an offence under § 36(e) KFG.
Worked example
A motorcycle first registered in September 2019 was inspected in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The old sticker shows September 2027. With an exchange sticker, the next inspection is due two years after the last one, in September 2028. Because 2029 is the tenth year after first registration, it goes annually from then on. Check your own date with the ÖAMTC Pickerl calculator.
Transitional rules for 2027
Because the grace period disappears, there are two special rules for 2027:
- Inspection month February to July: for the 2027 inspection, the previous time limits continue to apply after 18 May 2027, including the old grace period.
- Inspection month August to October: for the 2027 inspection, there is an extension up to and including November 2027.
You can apply to the registration authority to move your inspection month permanently (district authority, municipal authority or, in Vienna, the Verkehrsamt). According to the government portal oesterreich.gv.at, there is no online form for this.
How the inspection works
Any body authorised by the provincial governor may carry out the inspection, for example workshops, the motoring clubs ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, or chartered engineers. For a motorcycle, the registration certificate is all the paperwork you need. If the bike has major defects or a dangerous defect, you will not get a sticker. You have to have it repaired and present it again. If the first registration was more than twelve years ago, the authority can also order a special inspection.
On a motorcycle the sticker does not go on a windscreen. According to ÖAMTC, it must be at least 40 cm above the road, on the right side of the headlight or close to it, or on a sticker holder firmly fixed to the right fork leg.
Tip: Longer intervals do not mean your bike can go longer without being checked. ÖAMTC recommends a safety check in the years in between. You can do most of it yourself with our spring check checklist and our guide to checking motorcycle brakes.
What the Pickerl costs
There is no official standard price. According to oesterreich.gv.at, costs vary between inspection centres. We did not find a current price survey for motorcycles. For comparison: in March 2026, the Vienna Chamber of Labour (AK Wien) found prices of 60.30 to 156.40 euros including the sticker for cars at Viennese workshops. Ask for the price for your motorcycle in advance.
Other things worth knowing
If your motorcycle is registered in another country, that country's test applies, not the Pickerl; in Germany that is the TÜV inspection. How France handles it is explained in our article on the French roadworthiness test. For the vignette, noise-related riding bans and speed limits in Austria, see our article on motorcycle rules in Austria. If you are buying used, look for a recent inspection and use our checklist for the viewing.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new Pickerl interval apply to motorcycles?
From 19 May 2027. The 3-2-1 rule applies until 18 May 2027.
Do I need an inspection to get the exchange sticker?
No. The exchange sticker is issued without an inspection. The issuer may charge at most 10 euros on top of the sticker price. If the last report shows a major defect, you will not get one.
Is there still a grace period after 19 May 2027?
Only beforehand: you can have the inspection done up to four months before the inspection month. The grace period afterwards disappears. Transitional rules apply in 2027 depending on the inspection month.
Is the grace period recognised abroad?
Often not. Ideally only travel abroad with a sticker whose date has not yet expired.
Where does the Pickerl go on a motorcycle?
On the right side of the headlight or close to it, at least 40 cm above the road, or on a firmly fixed holder on the right fork leg.
Sources
- BGBl. I Nr. 79/2026, amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act 1967 (RIS, in German)
- 581 der Beilagen XXVIII. GP, transport committee report with explanatory notes (Austrian Parliament, in German)
- Neue §57a Pickerl-Regelung, as of 11.11.2026 (ÖAMTC, in German)
- Begutachtung (Pickerl), as of 12.01.2026 (oesterreich.gv.at, in German)
- §57a-Plakette: Anbringung auf dem Motorrad (ÖAMTC, in German)
- Kosten der Auto-Pickerl-Überprüfung, survey March 2026 (AK Wien, in German)
Last checked: November 2026. Deadlines and prices may change.
