Fleet management is responsible for the safety of vehicles in the company. One of the most important obligations is the regular UVV inspection in accordance with § 57 DGUV regulation 70, in which the vehicles are checked once a year for their occupational and road safety. But how can a UVV sticker help with this? Read more about this in the article.
What is a UVV sticker?
An UVV sticker is an aid to compliance with the accident prevention regulations for road traffic. The UVV inspection is intended to ensure the safety of employees in the workplace. Vehicles that are used as company cars or commercial vehicles are work equipment and are therefore also part of the workplace. The UVV regulations include requirements for technical safety, lighting equipment, brakes, tires and many other aspects.
In order to keep track of the large number of vehicles in the fleet, it is very important to document the inspection. It can therefore also be helpful to affix a UVV sticker, which serves as visible proof and indicates a successful inspection.
What is a UVV test?
A UVV inspection is carried out on vehicles to ensure road safety. The accident prevention regulations (UVV) are statutory regulations in Germany (DGUV regulation 70) that serve to prevent accidents when using vehicles and ensure the safety of drivers.
DGUV Regulation 70 is a regulation of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). It first came into force on October 1, 1990 and has been the legal basis for vehicle inspection and vehicle instruction in accordance with the UVV ever since.
This regulation applies in particular to vehicles that are used for operational activities, such as company vehicles, forklifts, transporters, forklift trucks or construction machinery.
The UVV test on the vehicle can be carried out by specially trained specialists or a testing organization – for example, as part of the vehicle’s main inspection or by a workshop. The UVV test must be carried out on the vehicle once a year. The vehicle owner or employer is responsible for carrying out and documenting this.
What is the purpose of an UVV sticker?
A UVV inspection sticker indicates that a vehicle has undergone a regular safety inspection in accordance with the accident prevention regulations (UVV). The sticker contains information such as the year of the inspection and the next inspection date. It serves as proof that the vehicle meets the safety requirements at the time of the inspection. The UVV sticker helps to ensure safety in the workplace and on the road and confirms that the vehicle complies with the applicable safety standards.
UVV sticker required by law?
In Germany, an UVV sticker is not explicitly required. However, the UVV inspection of vehicles is subject to the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the accident prevention regulation “Vehicles ” (DGUV regulation 70), which prescribe regular safety inspections.
The actual obligation is for the vehicle owner or operator to carry out the UVV inspection in accordance with the legal requirements and to document the results. The documentation of the test is crucial in order to prove that the vehicle meets the safety requirements and that the test is carried out regularly. This proof is required by law, in accordance with Section 57 Paragraph 2 of the accident prevention regulation “Vehicles”, and should be kept until the next UVV inspection.
The results of the audit in accordance with paragraph 1 must be recorded in writing and kept at least until the next audit.
While a UVV sticker is not a legal requirement in Germany, it can still be used as a practical tool to indicate the status of the inspection.
Difference to the TÜV sticker
While the main inspection, which is carried out by TÜV and other technical inspection bodies, focuses on road safety , the UVV inspection is primarily concerned with the issue of occupational safety. Its basis does not come from traffic law, but is related to the national Occupational Health and Safety Act. The TÜV sticker, also known as the “main inspection sticker” or “HU sticker”, is used as proof that the vehicle has successfully passed the main inspection (HU).
Similar to the TÜV stickers, the UVV stickers are not usually white, but are distinguished by different colors (green, orange, violet, light blue, red and brown). These six common annual colors are repeated every four to six years. However, there are no legal requirements for the color scheme of the UVV stickers, as each provider can define their own colors.
From the legal basis to the most important obligations – find out more about the topic of keeper liability in our free guide: Keeper liability in the vehicle fleet
The most important facts about the UVV inspection sticker
The vehicle owner or employer is obliged to carry out the UVV test on vehicles once a year.
The UVV inspection sticker is visible proof that a regular safety inspection has been carried out in accordance with the accident prevention regulations (UVV).
The basis of the UVV test does not come from traffic law, but is related to the national Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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