BLITAR – Blitar Transportation Agency has tightened vehicle inspections across the regency after officials discovered trucks operating with illegal body modifications and unsafe road conditions.
Authorities said several freight and passenger vehicles failed mandatory roadworthiness tests, locally known as uji kir, during inspections throughout 2026.
The stricter inspections mainly target overdimension and overloading vehicles, commonly called ODOL trucks in Indonesia. Officials found many operators modified truck cargo beds beyond factory standards. Those changes created serious safety risks on public roads.
Widhianto, head of road safety at the Blitar Transportation Agency, said inspectors immediately failed vehicles that violated technical regulations or carried loads beyond capacity limits.
“Vehicles that violate dimension limits or transport loads exceeding technical capacity automatically fail the vehicle inspection,” Widhianto said.
According to him, owners must restore modified vehicle bodies to factory specifications before authorities allow the vehicles to return for another inspection.
In addition, inspectors increased checks on braking systems and tire conditions during the testing process. Officials warned that damaged brakes and worn tires could endanger drivers and other road users.
Widhianto explained that vehicles with minor problems usually return for reinspection shortly after owners complete repairs.
“For lighter issues, vehicle owners usually make repairs immediately and return for another inspection,” he said.
The Transportation Agency believes some fleet operators still treat the roadworthiness test as a simple administrative requirement. However, officials stressed that the inspections aim to ensure commercial vehicles remain safe for road operations.
Authorities also urged vehicle owners to conduct regular checks on their fleets. Officials asked operators to monitor braking systems, vehicle lights, tire conditions, cargo dimensions, and loading capacity before traveling.
Widhianto warned that overloaded trucks face a higher risk of brake failure, especially on logistics and distribution routes. He added that technical failures often trigger traffic accidents and threaten public safety.
“We hope fleet owners become more aware of vehicle maintenance so we can reduce accidents caused by technical failures,” he added.
The stricter enforcement reflects wider government efforts to reduce ODOL violations across Indonesia. Authorities have long linked overloaded and illegally modified trucks to road damage, congestion, and deadly crashes.
By intensifying uji kir inspections, the Blitar administration hopes to improve transportation safety standards and push operators to follow national technical regulations more closely.