Germany launches 70th annual free vehicle lighting inspection campaign

Throughout October 2026, participating automotive workshops in Germany are offering free ‘Licht-Sicht-Test’ (Light-Sight-Test) inspections for vehicle lighting. This initiative, now in its 70th year, is organized by the German Motor Vehicle Trade (ZDK), the Federal Association of the Automotive Craft (BIV-Kfz), and the German Traffic Watch (DVW).

Beyond checking the function and alignment of headlights and lights, workshops can also inspect other safety-critical components in the driver's field of vision upon request, such as windshield wipers, windshields, and tires. The campaign aims to improve road safety during periods of shorter days, rain, and fog.

Data from previous years highlights the necessity of the program; in one instance, approximately 27.8 percent of inspected vehicles were found to have defects, meaning nearly one in four or one in three cars required attention.