CNSR Vehicle Inspection in Benin (2026): Online Booking, Fees, and Documents

Keeping road users safe and cutting the environmental footprint of vehicles on the road are top priorities for Beninese authorities. In Benin, every owner of a motor vehicle — private car, 4x4, pickup, truck, or bus — is required to have it undergo a periodic, mandatory roadworthiness inspection. This inspection is run by the CNSR (Centre National de Sécurité Routière — National Road Safety Center) and its approved centers.

Whether you've just bought a used vehicle or manage a company fleet, this guide to vehicle inspection in Cotonou covers what gets checked, how often it's required, the fees, and the documents you'll need.

In short: CNSR vehicle inspection in Benin (2026)

• Official fee: 15,000 FCFA for light vehicles (private cars), 8,500 FCFA for taxis, and 19,000 FCFA for heavy trucks.
• Booking & payment: online through the official service-public.bj portal (your vehicle tax, or TVM, must be up to date).
• Frequency: every 12 months for personal vehicles over 3 years old, and every 6 months for commercial vehicles and taxis.
• Main center for Greater Cotonou: the National Road Safety Center (CNSR) in Ekpè.

1. How often inspection is required

How often your vehicle needs inspecting depends on its administrative category:

• Light private vehicles (personal use):
  • A first mandatory inspection when the vehicle is put into circulation (or at ANaTT registration).
  • A mandatory annual inspection for all vehicles over 3 years old.
• Commercial vehicles, taxis, ride-hailing cars, and public transport: mandatory inspection every 6 months.
• Heavy trucks and goods vehicles: mandatory inspection every 6 months.

2. What happens during the inspection and the main checkpoints

Inspection at the CNSR in Cotonou is carried out on high-tech, mechanized inspection lines.

The pass/fail checkpoints examined by inspectors:

1. Braking system effectiveness: measured on a brake-testing rig, covering discs, pads, and the parking brake.
2. Tires and steering condition: tread wear, wheel alignment, and steering linkage.
3. Lighting and signaling: alignment of low beams, headlights, turn signals, and brake lights.
4. Emissions and exhaust: opacity check on exhaust fumes for both diesel and gasoline engines.
5. Chassis number compliance: verifying the chassis serial number against the ANaTT registration card.

If the vehicle passes, the inspector affixes the inspection sticker to the windshield and issues the official CNSR certificate. If a major fault is found, a follow-up inspection is required within 15 to 30 days, once the faulty items have been repaired.

FAQ: vehicle inspection in Benin

What documents do you need to bring to the CNSR?

You need to show up at the CNSR center with the original vehicle registration card (or the provisional ANaTT certificate) and the sticker from the previous inspection, if you have one. Fees can be paid on site or electronically.

What are the risks of driving without a valid inspection in Cotonou?

Driving without a valid inspection certificate or sticker is a serious offense under Benin's road traffic code. During Police Républicaine road checks, a missing inspection results in the vehicle being immediately impounded, taken to the pound, and a fixed fine issued.

3. Where to get inspected and how to book an appointment

The CNSR has digitized its process: inspections are now booked online before any in-person visit to a center.

Approved centers in Benin:

• The CNSR headquarters in Ekpè (Cotonou), the reference center for Greater Cotonou.
• The branch centers in Tangbo-Djévié, Bohicon, and Parakou for regions outside the coast.

Booking procedure: appointments and payment are handled through the National Public Services Portal (service-public.bj). You must first settle the Motor Vehicle Tax (TVM) before you can book a slot. Once online payment is confirmed, you're assigned a date and time — no more unplanned lines outside the center.

A "Comfort" service, available for an extra fee, is offered to companies and fleet managers, with dedicated slots and faster processing.

4. Official inspection fee schedule

CNSR fees are set by an official schedule and vary by vehicle category and inspection frequency:

These amounts cover the inspection-line service itself. The Motor Vehicle Tax (TVM), required to validate the appointment, is paid separately, and its amount depends on the vehicle's fiscal horsepower.

5. What to do after a failed inspection or follow-up

If a major fault is found (out-of-spec brakes, faulty steering, excessive emissions), the vehicle won't get its sticker. The owner then has 15 to 30 days to make the necessary repairs at a mechanic or garage of their choice, then return to the CNSR center for a follow-up inspection focused on the items that caused the failure. The follow-up inspection is charged at a reduced rate compared to the full inspection, since only the failed items are re-examined.

During this window, driving the vehicle remains risky: at a road check, the absence of a valid sticker can still lead to impoundment, even if a follow-up appointment has already been scheduled.

Additional FAQ

How do you book a vehicle inspection appointment in Benin?

Booking is done exclusively online at service-public.bj, after settling the TVM. Payment for the inspection is made at the time of booking, via Mobile Money or bank card.

Is the follow-up inspection also paid?

Yes, but at a reduced rate compared to the initial inspection, since only the items that caused the failure are re-checked. The exact amount depends on the vehicle category.

Does a new vehicle need inspection right after purchase?

The first inspection happens when the vehicle is put into circulation or at ANaTT registration. For a private vehicle, the annual schedule then kicks in once the vehicle passes three years old.