"The car didn't pass" sounds like the same message regardless of what the inspector actually noted — but the consequence is very different depending on which category the fault falls into. Here's the full picture, so you know exactly what you can and can't do while getting the car back on the road.

The three possible results at an inspection

An inspection ends in one of three categories:

  • Approved with no remarks — no faults, or only insignificant ones. The car is ready, no further action needed.
  • Approved with a remark — less serious faults that need to be fixed and approved at a re-inspection within a deadline, but that don't stop you from driving the car in the meantime.
  • Driving ban — critical faults that pose an immediate safety risk. Here the car can't be driven at all until the fault is fixed and approved at a re-inspection.

Got a remark? Here's how the rules work

If the car gets a remark, you can keep driving it — you just need to get the fault fixed and the car approved at a re-inspection before the deadline expires. The deadline is on your inspection report and is typically 30 days from the original inspection. If that deadline passes, we can no longer carry out a limited re-inspection, and the car needs to go through a full periodic inspection again — read more about what that involves in our post on a missed inspection deadline.

Got a driving ban? Here's what it means

A driving ban is a different matter. It's issued for critical faults — typically serious defects in the brakes, steering, or load-bearing parts — that make the car an immediate danger on the road. Here, the car can't be driven under its own power at all, not even the last few kilometres home or to the workshop. It needs to be transported by trailer or tow truck instead.

Once the fault is fixed, the car needs a re-inspection, just like with an ordinary remark — only once that re-inspection is passed is the driving ban lifted and the car legal to drive again.

What does it cost to get back on the road?

Whether the car got a remark or a driving ban, the re-inspection costs the same at Aktiv Bilsyn: 300 kr., regardless of vehicle type. Since the re-inspection only covers the specific points that were noted — not the whole car again — it's typically faster than the original inspection.

How to book a re-inspection at Aktiv Bilsyn

Get the fault fixed at a workshop of your choice, then book a re-inspection slot with us before the deadline expires. If the car has a driving ban, you'll need to arrange transport to the workshop and on to the inspection station, since it can't be driven itself. Not sure which category your inspection report points to? Feel free to contact us before you book.