Contrôle technique: What we know about the new French safety checks for motorbikes
It has been several years - and many delays and U-turns in the making - but on Monday France finally introduced a vehicle safety test for motorbikes and scooters.
After having been postponed several times over the course of nine years, the contrôle technique (roadworthiness test) for motorised motorbikes, tricycles and quadricycles, began to be phased on on Monday.
The measure will be gradually implemented, based on the age of the vehicle.
What is my deadline for the roadworthiness test?
This depends on the date that your vehicle is registered to, according to the French government site Service-Public.
- Vehicle registration dates to prior to January 2017 and its first anniversary date of being put into circulation is prior to April 15th of that year: Roadworthiness test must be done before August 14, 2024.
- Vehicle registration dates to prior to January 2017, but the first anniversary of being put into circulation is after April 15th that year: Roadworthiness test must be done before December 31, 2024.
- Vehicle registration between January 2017 and December 31st, 2019: First inspection to be carried out before October 20, 2025
- Vehicle registration between January 2020 and December 31st, 2021: First inspection to be carried out before October 20, 2026
If the vehicle was registered after January 2022, then the roadworthiness test will need to be carried out in the six months prior to its five year anniversary of being put into circulation.
The results of the contrôle technique will remain valid for three years, and then you will need to renew the certification again.
Failing to do the roadworthiness test when required can result in a fine of €135.
Cars and vans already have to undergo the regular vehicle safety check, but until now two-wheelers (Category L vehicles) have been exempt.
The new standards will make it so that France is finally in EU rules that came into force across the bloc in 2014.
There are a couple of exceptions for certain motorcycles - if you own a competition vehicle and you are registered with the French Motorcycling Federation then you are not affected by this timeline. Similarly, collector's motorcycles dating to before 1960 are exempt, but they must hold a 'collector's' registration document.
READ ALSO Contrôle technique: How to save money on your compulsory French car inspection
Where can I get my roadworthiness test done?
The pre-existing inspection centres that offered tests for cars will be required to offer contrôle techniques for motorcycles as well. You can find an accredited centre here.
How much will it cost?
In a previous interview in June with “Grand Jury LCI-RTL-Le Figaro”, France's former transport minister, Clément Beaune revealed some details about the planned 'contrôle technique' (CT) for two-wheeled vehicles.
CTs for motorbikes will cost “around €50”, he said. Some French media, like France Bleu, have reported that it could be closer to €100.
How will the inspection work?
Motorcycles will be assessed based on 78 different points, including the brakes, handlebars, tyres, rear-view mirrors and more. The inspection should last around 30 minutes.
If your vehicle is deemed defective, then you will be required to come back for a second roadworthiness test within two months after repairs.
What has the reaction been?
Unsurprisingly, motorbike groups were up in arms after France's conseil d'état first ruled that the contrôle technique would become compulsory.
"It's an unenforceable, useless measure whose aim is to fleece us," Christophe Bériol, president of the Fédération des bikers de France, which claims 5,000 members, said at the time.
"Paying €50 for a quick inspection is prohibitive. It's four times the hourly rate of a qualified garage mechanic," he said.
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After having been postponed several times over the course of nine years, the contrôle technique (roadworthiness test) for motorised motorbikes, tricycles and quadricycles, began to be phased on on Monday.
The measure will be gradually implemented, based on the age of the vehicle.
What is my deadline for the roadworthiness test?
This depends on the date that your vehicle is registered to, according to the French government site Service-Public.
- Vehicle registration dates to prior to January 2017 and its first anniversary date of being put into circulation is prior to April 15th of that year: Roadworthiness test must be done before August 14, 2024.
- Vehicle registration dates to prior to January 2017, but the first anniversary of being put into circulation is after April 15th that year: Roadworthiness test must be done before December 31, 2024.
- Vehicle registration between January 2017 and December 31st, 2019: First inspection to be carried out before October 20, 2025
- Vehicle registration between January 2020 and December 31st, 2021: First inspection to be carried out before October 20, 2026
If the vehicle was registered after January 2022, then the roadworthiness test will need to be carried out in the six months prior to its five year anniversary of being put into circulation.
The results of the contrôle technique will remain valid for three years, and then you will need to renew the certification again.
Failing to do the roadworthiness test when required can result in a fine of €135.
Cars and vans already have to undergo the regular vehicle safety check, but until now two-wheelers (Category L vehicles) have been exempt.
The new standards will make it so that France is finally in EU rules that came into force across the bloc in 2014.
There are a couple of exceptions for certain motorcycles - if you own a competition vehicle and you are registered with the French Motorcycling Federation then you are not affected by this timeline. Similarly, collector's motorcycles dating to before 1960 are exempt, but they must hold a 'collector's' registration document.
READ ALSO Contrôle technique: How to save money on your compulsory French car inspection
Where can I get my roadworthiness test done?
The pre-existing inspection centres that offered tests for cars will be required to offer contrôle techniques for motorcycles as well. You can find an accredited centre here.
How much will it cost?
In a previous interview in June with “Grand Jury LCI-RTL-Le Figaro”, France's former transport minister, Clément Beaune revealed some details about the planned 'contrôle technique' (CT) for two-wheeled vehicles.
CTs for motorbikes will cost “around €50”, he said. Some French media, like France Bleu, have reported that it could be closer to €100.
How will the inspection work?
Motorcycles will be assessed based on 78 different points, including the brakes, handlebars, tyres, rear-view mirrors and more. The inspection should last around 30 minutes.
If your vehicle is deemed defective, then you will be required to come back for a second roadworthiness test within two months after repairs.
What has the reaction been?
Unsurprisingly, motorbike groups were up in arms after France's conseil d'état first ruled that the contrôle technique would become compulsory.
"It's an unenforceable, useless measure whose aim is to fleece us," Christophe Bériol, president of the Fédération des bikers de France, which claims 5,000 members, said at the time.
"Paying €50 for a quick inspection is prohibitive. It's four times the hourly rate of a qualified garage mechanic," he said.
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