New electronic service for booking

The State Services Portal now offers an online service for scheduling vehicle inspections at the Pskent site. To use the service, applicants must first apply for a compliance certificate via the singlewindow.uz website. Following this, users can book an inspection date and time on the my.gov.uz portal or its mobile app.

Upon arrival, vehicle owners are advised to check in 20 minutes before their appointment and present a QR code obtained from the my.gov.uz system to the operator.

Challenges with demand and processing capacity

Despite the technological advancements, issues persist. The relocation of vehicle testing to Pskent has led to significant backlogs, with some vehicle owners reportedly spending the night at the site due to delays. UzTest, the state agency responsible for the testing, stated that it takes 30-35 minutes to test a single vehicle. Operating around the clock, the facility can inspect approximately 50 vehicles daily or 18,000 annually—a figure far below the current demand.

Cost increases and new requirements

The move to Pskent also introduced additional requirements, such as electromagnetic compatibility tests for electric vehicles. These new tests have raised the cost of certification, which is set by UzTest. Critics argue that these higher fees were imposed without prior public notice, contradicting a presidential decree mandating that all new fees and charges must be codified in law starting May 2024.

Public and expert criticism

Economic analyst Otabek Bakirov has criticized UzTest, labeling it a monopoly with unchecked authority over testing costs and procedures. Bakirov highlighted the lack of transparency, noting arbitrary pricing and delays, which create challenges for vehicle importers and consumers, especially those from remote regions such as Karakalpakstan, Surkhandarya, and Andijan.