Since 1925

Our History

The history of DEKRA starts with the automobile: The Deutsche Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein e.V. (German Motor Vehicle Monitoring Association) was founded in 1925 in Berlin. DEKRA has been ensuring safety ever since. At first, attention was focused on technical safety – primarily in the automotive sector. Now, as the largest unlisted expert organization, DEKRA has expanded its activities into many diverse aspects of daily life “on the road, at work, and at home”. In addition to analog functional safety, DEKRA is also fully committed to digital security in a networked world – on five continents. This is because there is no limit to safety. Learn more about the history of DEKRA and the most important milestones of the past years in the interactive timeline.

History

1925-1935 – The beginnings

1925–1929
In 1924, the industrialist Hugo Stinnes develops the idea of a voluntary technical monitoring service for motor vehicles. The idea is realized on June 30, 1925 with the founding of the Deutsche Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein (German Motor Vehicle Monitoring Association) in Berlin. The objective of the association is to support its members, such as freight forwarders, with all the information they need concerning automobiles. Stinnes is not able to see his idea implemented any further – he died in April 1924. DEKRA’s first services include technical tests and advice for members. First appraisals for courts and insurance companies are also drawn up at this early stage.

1930–1935
In 1930, DEKRA is already operating 79 inspection centers and 52 valuation centers to determine the estimated value of vehicles. After the National Socialists come to power in 1933, DEKRA follows a consciously neutral course with regard to the National Socialist state and the Nazi Party under the management of Dr. Kurt Möhring.

1936-1945 – Rise and fall

1946-1959 – New beginning and economic miracle

1960-1969 – State functions and modern technology

1970-1979 – Professional drivers and research

1980-1989 – Eurotruck and device safety

1990-1999 – Anywhere and anytime

2000-2009 – Industrial inspections and career planning

2010-2015 – Focus on digitalization

2016-2019 – Cyber security and mobility for the future

2020-2023 – Safe, secure and sustainable

2020-2021
At the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, DEKRA expands its leading position in the testing and certification of personal protective equipment. The DEKRA Testing & Certification laboratory in Essen tests surgical masks on the basis of a recognized rapid test. In the same year, DEKRA expands its cybersecurity portfolio to include Internet of Things (IoT) testing equipment in accordance with ioXt Alliance standards. With the completion of its services in noise measurement, DEKRA becomes a Notified Body for the acoustic testing of machinery and equipment at the end of 2020. In 2021, DEKRA audit experts monitor the safety, health and operation of COVID test stations in Baden-Württemberg. In August 2021, DEKRA is recognized as a Technical Service for Cybersecurity and Software Updates in the automotive sector.

2022
In 2022, DEKRA is awarded a platinum medal for the second time in a row by EcoVadis, the most important international sustainability standard in global value chains. Starting in April 2022, DEKRA checks video surveillance for its compliance with the legal requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). In July 2022, DEKRA opens the first vehicle inspection station in Spain. Starting in September 2022, DEKRA manages the nationwide vehicle inspection program in Costa Rica. In cooperation with Microsoft, DEKRA advances digital safety in the transport sector and the work environment based on Microsoft Azure Cloud. By the end of 2022, DEKRA offers its corporate customers throughout Germany an internationally patented procedure for checking the battery condition of used electric vehicles.

2023
In 2023, DEKRA will continue to invest heavily in future fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, mobility of the future and sustainability. In June, DEKRA launches its first testing and certification services for AI to ensure the safety and reliability of AI-based products and services. At the same time, DEKRA founds the AI joint venture CertifAI with PwC Germany for the testing and certification of AI. Since August, DEKRA and AIShield, a Bosch start-up, have been pooling their expertise in a strategic partnership. The aim is to combine DEKRA's expertise in testing and certification with AIShield's solutions in the field of cyber security for AI systems. In collaboration with LatticeFlow AI, DEKRA is conducting the first commercial AI assessment for Migros Bank, one of Switzerland's most renowned financial institutions. Europe's largest manufacturer-independent testing facility for driver assistance functions is built at the DEKRA Lausitzring in Klettwitz. DEKRA also supports the start-up hylane, which operates the largest hydrogen truck fleet in Europe.

2024-2025 – Securing the future

Development of the DEKRA logo

The company founded in Berlin as the “Deutsche Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein” (German Motor Vehicle Monitoring Association) on June 30, 1925 is soon referred to simply as “DEKRA” in everyday life, and the first logo with this abbreviation follows quickly. The logo evolves from lettering in a triangle, to a trailblazing road, through to today's trademark with claim. Even though the shape and color varied at the beginning, the logo has been an important distinguishing mark on the path from automotive inspection service provider to becoming one of the world's leading expert organizations. Due to increasing internationalization, a uniform one-brand strategy is being used across the globe; together with the logo, this contributes to a strong brand.

Anniversaries

While still working under the government of East Germany, DEKRA is commissioned to perform the services of the Kraftfahrzeugtechnische Amt (Motor Transport Authority) KTA. The KTA employees are taken over by DEKRA and each of the new branches is supported by a West German branch.

After reunification, vehicle monitoring must be ensured nationwide within one year and the East German license plates of all motor vehicles must be replaced within another year. DEKRA is able to accomplish this task thanks to mobile inspection lanes, amongst other things. As early as October 1991, the one millionth inspection sticker in the new German states is issued by DEKRA in Dresden.

In 2003, DEKRA opens the Technology Center in Klettwitz (foreground). The state-of-the-art measuring and testing laboratory combined with the Lausitzring purchased by DEKRA in 2017 creates an innovation center to test the mobility of the future.