State-owned company offers free technical vehicle inspections in Cuba for a limited time

The measure, according to the Automotive Transport Services Business Group, aims to encourage drivers to comply with this mandatory procedure and reduce the number of vehicles operating with technical defects.

Cuban drivers are waiting for the inspection of their vehiclesPhoto © Cubadebate / Ismael Francisco

The Automotive Technical Inspection Company (ERTA) of Cuba announced that, between August 12 and August 16, 2025, it will conduct free diagnostics for all vehicles at the technical inspection plants across the country.

The measure, according to the Business Group of Automotive Transport Services (GEA), aims to encourage drivers to complete this mandatory procedure and reduce the number of cars operating with technical faults.

Facebook Screenshot / GEA - Cuba

The service will be available at the 15 fixed stations and the four mobile units distributed throughout the country. Drivers can go directly to the facilities or schedule their appointment through the portal revisiontecnica.transnet.cu, implemented since 2020 to streamline processes and avoid crowds.

The technical review —commonly known as "somatón"— is mandatory every year for cargo and passenger vehicles, and every two years for those in the state sector. According to official data, 4% of traffic accidents in Cuba are due to mechanical failures, a factor that adds to the accumulated deterioration of the roads, recently acknowledged by the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila.

In previous years, the somatón has been marked by irregularities and cases of corruption. In 2018, a scandal in Villa Clara exposed a bribery network that allowed the certification of vehicles in poor condition, resulting in the arrest of several workers and officials linked to the process.

Authorities insist that the current campaign aims not only to improve road safety but also to strengthen control over inspections. "Not postponing it avoids fines, ensures safety, and this week, it will be free of charge," emphasizes GEA's announcement.

The call comes in a context of growing concern about accidents on the island, where, despite a decrease in cases in 2024, recent incidents have once again brought the issue to the forefront of public debate.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

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