Akstovan leaves 12,300 vehicles overdue for inspections

About 12,300 vehicles in the Faroe Islands have not been called in for mandatory inspections, and Akstovan, the agency responsible for vehicle inspections, cannot keep up with demand, KVF reports.

Passenger cars must be inspected for the first time when they are four years old and then every two years. Commercial vehicles and larger vehicles are generally inspected annually.

Akstovan’s director said the backlog has several causes. The number of vehicles has grown, while vehicle owners’ attendance at scheduled inspections could be better. But one of the main challenges is that the agency’s facilities are not adequate to handle all the vehicles due for inspection. Pressure is particularly high in the capital region.

Akstovan’s latest figures show 43,596 registered vehicles in the Faroe Islands, including 20,712 on Streymoy, nearly half the national total.

The backlog stood at 12,542 vehicles in 2024. Although it has fallen slightly, about 12,300 vehicles remain overdue. The Road Safety Council says delays could affect traffic safety. Regular inspections are intended to ensure vehicles meet technical requirements and are safe to drive on the roads.