Mandatory from June: Fines will be imposed for motorhome camping without proper authorization!
Starting June 19, 2025, motorhome and caravan owners in Germany face a new safety requirement—regular inspections of their LPG systems by experts. The regulation aims to minimize gas-related incidents, enhancing safety during cooking, cooling, and heating.
First enacted for motorhomes, the test will now be mandatory for both motorhomes and caravans, ensuring operational and fire safety. The inspection, regulated by G 607, can be conducted independently of the main inspection (MOT) and should be repeated every two years. Failure to comply with this requirement could potentially result in both fines and dangerous incidents.
Travelers who currently have their LPG installation tested on their vehicles are advised to book their next test when the 24-month period since their last test has elapsed. Those who have not had their installation tested so far are required to do so before June 19, 2025. The inspection took about 20 to 45 minutes, with TÜV expert engineers examining various system components like seals, hoses, and safety valves.
Preparing for a smooth gas inspection test is key. Motorhome owners should ensure that gas bottles are filled and correctly connected, all gas appliances are functioning properly, the battery is sufficiently charged (not required for Piezo igniters), pressure regulators and hoses are not more than ten years old, all necessary documents are available, and the test book or manufacturer's first certificate adheres to DIN EN 1949. Certificates of newly installed gas appliances must also be presented for entry in the test certificate.
While the gas system test under G607 is performed independently of the MOT, there is one important exception. Certain components of the gas system, such as the heating, are also checked during the MOT. If safety-relevant defects are found, the vehicle may fail the MOT. Defects affecting the gas system itself, posing a safety risk, will be noted in the inspection certificate under "remarks." Operating the system without proper inspection could lead to a lost insurance cover, and many campsite operators refuse entry to vehicles without a valid gas inspection.
Customers should schedule their appointments well in advance to avoid long waiting times. Testing facilities tend to fill up quickly, particularly at the start of the season. To secure a timely appointment, camper van and caravan owners can either call the free appointment service on 0800 8070600 or visit www.tuev-nord.de.
- To ensure continued compliance with the new safety requirement, motorhome and caravan owners should plan to retest their LPG systems every two years as per the G607 regulation, considering the high demand at testing facilities, particularly at the start of each season.
- Technology plays an essential role in maintaining safety in sports and leisure activities, as observed in the new regulation for motorhomes and caravans in Germany, where experts perform regular inspections of LPG systems to minimize gas-related incidents, enhancing safety during activities like cooking, cooling, and heating.
