The code 180 is popular in Switzerland. It confirms a vehicle's privileged registration as a veteran vehicle. The advantages: vehicle inspection only every six years, more than two vehicles can be registered under the same change number. The restrictions: Maximum of 3000 km driven per year and good state of preservation. During the veteran assessment at the road traffic office, it is checked whether the vehicle is in a good and safe condition and has been faithfully preserved.
While the cantons coordinate with each other as to what the criteria for successfully passing the veteran's inspection should be, there are many differences between the road traffic offices when it comes to implementation. The severity of the assessment also varies. There are many examples in the industry that show that the assessment can be different in different places and at different times. However, any differences have tended to diminish over time.
Registration with photos only
Now, however, the canton of Bern has amended the registration requirements. It is no longer sufficient to simply bring the vehicle to the agreed appointment; documentation must be submitted in advance. Images must now be sent by email or brought to the counter, and several photos are required:
"With the inspection order, current pictures of the vehicle to be assessed must also be sent or submitted (view from the front, rear, left and right side, additionally engine compartment, interior and trunk in the case of motor vehicles. If no images are sent or submitted with the inspection order, the inspection order will not be processed."
At least that's what the new form "Test order veteran assessment" says.
This will put one or two classic car owners in a tight spot, because who has a photo of the trunk or engine compartment on hand?
The exact purpose of the photos, e.g. preliminary assessment, documentation, etc., is not discussed in the form, nor what exactly the requirements for the photos are, e.g. age, lighting, resolution, etc.).
It remains to be seen whether this example will set a precedent in other cantons. The new form was introduced in Bern on May 1, 2020, and it is worth regularly checking the website of the relevant road traffic authorities for every classic car owner whose vehicle inspection is in prospect.
After this article was published, the Road Traffic Office of the Canton of Bern explained the background to the new procedure and documented the general conditions for Zwischengas readers. These additions can be read here.
