Renewing Your Mécanique in Lebanon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Every car in Lebanon must be inspected annually at one of the Mécanique centers operated under concession with the Ministry of Interior. The renewal also carries the annual registration fee ("mécanique" in everyday speech), payable to the Vehicle Registration Authority (Nafaa).
What you need to bring
- The original vehicle registration (raqam el-sayyara) — front and back photocopy is also acceptable for payment-only steps.
- A valid compulsory third-party insurance contract.
- The insurance vignette receipt.
- Your driving license.
The inspection itself
The test covers brakes, suspension, lights, emissions, tyres, glass and chassis. Cars older than five years are inspected more strictly. A pass certificate is valid for one year; a fail gives you a short window to fix the noted issues and return.
Paying the fee
The fee depends on horsepower bracket, model year and plate code. You can compute the exact amount in advance on the BLC Bank, OMT or MTM mécanique calculators, then pay at any of those outlets or at a Nafaa branch. Paying through a bank or OMT/MTM avoids the queue and adds only a small service charge.
If you are late
Late renewal triggers an escalating fine per week past the due date. If the car is stopped at a checkpoint with an expired mécanique, expect a heavy fine on top of the cumulative late fees.
