Repair of road vehicles

A craft trade (Annex 1, Part A of the Trade Licensing Act) covering the repair, maintenance and servicing of road motor and non-motor vehicles. To obtain it you must demonstrate professional qualification under Sections 21 and 22 of the Trade Licensing Act and meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record; none of the obstacles to operating the trade under Section 8 may be present.

Professional qualification under Section 21 (at least one of the options):
- apprenticeship certificate (secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate) in the relevant field,
- school-leaving certificate (maturita) (secondary education with a school-leaving examination) in the relevant field,
- a diploma from a higher vocational or university in the relevant area,
- a document recognising professional qualification issued by the recognising authority,
- a document verifying or recognising an attained qualification (professional qualification) under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Alternative ways of demonstrating professional competence under Section 22:
- education in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field,
- retraining for the given activity accredited by the relevant ministry + 1 year of experience in the field,
- 6 years of experience in the field without a document of education.

Professional qualification may be ensured through a responsible representative under Section 11. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

Medical fitness is not required. Liability insurance is not required.

Examples of activities

car service for passenger and utility vehicles
repairs and complete overhauls of engines
repairs of gearboxes, clutches and chassis parts
replacement and repair of braking systems
computer diagnostics of vehicles and engine management
repairs of wiring and electrical accessories of the vehicle
wheel alignment adjustment
routine maintenance and service inspections

What this trade is and what it is for

The trade Repair of road vehicles is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Part A - craft trades). It entitles you to run a business in the field of repair, maintenance and servicing of road vehicles - typically running a car service, a workshop or a mobile service.

The subject of the activity is work on motor and non-motor road vehicles, from passenger cars through motorcycles, lorries and buses to trailers and semi-trailers. It includes repairs of mechanical, electrical and electronic parts, replacement of parts, fault diagnostics and routine maintenance. It is one of the most frequently notified craft trades, because it covers a broad spectrum of servicing work.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

repairs and maintenance of passenger, goods and utility vehicles, motorcycles, buses, trailers and semi-trailers,
complete and partial overhauls of engines, gearboxes, clutches, chassis and axles,
repairs of braking, steering and exhaust systems,
diagnostics and repairs of wiring and control units,
installation and repair of LPG drive, replacement of tyres and wheel balancing,
routine maintenance, service inspections, changes of operating fluids and parts.

Conversely, this trade does not cover activities falling under other trades or under a special licence. Watch the boundaries in the following cases:

Technical inspection (STK) and emission measurement - operating a technical inspection station and an emission measurement station is subject to a separate regime under the Act on the conditions of operation of vehicles on roads and to a special licence; it is not an ordinary craft repair.
Sheet-metal work and lacquering of bodywork - repairs and lacquering of bodywork fall under the separate craft trade "Sheet-metal work and bodywork repair" (also Annex 1, Part A), or under the trade "Painting, lacquering and decorating"; if you want to offer them as your main activity, address them separately.
Manufacture of vehicles - the manufacture or construction of vehicles and their parts (the trade "Manufacture of motor and trailer vehicles and bodywork") is a different subject of business from their repair.
Sale of spare parts without installation is a commercial activity (an unqualified (free) trade).

If you are uncertain about the classification of a specific activity, contact the Trade Licensing Office, which will assess whether it falls under this craft trade.

Conditions for obtaining it under the law

Because it is a craft trade, you must meet two levels of conditions.

General conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The office verifies the clean criminal record from the Criminal Records register; under Section 8 it is also examined whether any of the obstacles to operating the trade is present (e.g. a ban on activity issued by an administrative or judicial authority). Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required for this trade.

Professional qualification under Sections 21 and 22. You demonstrate professional competence by one of the options under Section 21:

an apprenticeship certificate or school-leaving certificate (maturita) in the relevant field,
a diploma from a higher vocational school or university in the relevant area,
a document recognising professional qualification,
a document of professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not hold a document of education directly in the field, you use the alternative route under Section 22: education in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field, retraining accredited by a ministry + 1 year of experience, or 6 years of experience in the field without a document of education.

Responsible representative (Section 11). If you do not meet the professional competence yourself (typically a legal person or where you do not hold the required education), you can appoint a responsible representative who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF). With a single form you simultaneously notify the trade, notify the health insurance company and the social security administration, and where applicable register for tax.
Submit the notification. You can do so in person at any municipal Trade Licensing Office (the office of a municipality with extended powers), online via the rzp.gov.cz portal, through a data box, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Provide the documents on professional qualification and identity (see below).
Pay the administrative fee - CZK 1,000 for notification, CZK 800 for electronic submission.
Entry in the register. For a craft (notifiable) trade, the office will enter you in the Trade Register and issue an extract within 5 working days of a flawless notification. The trade licence, however, arises as early as the day of notification, so you can trade before the extract arrives.

You will find the detailed universal procedure in the guide How to start a trade.

Documents and fees

Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
Proof of professional qualification - apprenticeship certificate / maturita / diploma in the field, a document of professional qualification, or proof of experience (1 year, or 6 years respectively).
When appointing a responsible representative, their documents of professional competence and consent to appointment to the role.
Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (notification) / CZK 800 (electronic submission); when notifying several trades at once it is paid only once.
Registration period: within 5 working days; the licence arises on the day of notification.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate to repair vehicles?

You do not necessarily need an apprenticeship certificate directly in the field. Section 22 of the Act allows professional competence to be demonstrated also through related education with a year of experience, retraining with a year of experience, or 6 years of experience in the field without a document of education.

How much does notification of this trade cost?

The administrative fee for notifying the trade is CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for electronic submission. If you notify several trades at once, you pay the fee only once.

Do I need a responsible representative?

Only if you do not meet the professional qualification yourself. Under Section 11 you can appoint a responsible representative who meets the professional competence and is responsible for the operation of the trade; one person may carry out this role for no more than four entrepreneurs. Legal persons usually have one mandatorily.

Can I carry out STK and emission measurement within this trade?

No. Operating a technical inspection station and emission measurement has its own statutory regime and licence outside the Trade Licensing Act. You can, however, carry out ordinary repairs and maintenance of road vehicles.

How long does it take before I can start trading?

The licence arises on the day of notification, so in effect immediately after a flawless submission. The office will issue the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.