Five Key things to know about the Upcoming Implementation of Technical Inspection for Two-wheelers in France

Implementation Timeline: The technical inspection of two-wheelers will begin to be gradually implemented in France from April 2024, with vehicles being inspected based on their age. This move comes after several months of deliberation to comply with a 2014 European directive, which France had not previously enforced.
Initial Inspection Schedule: The first inspections, starting in April and continuing through mid-August or end of 2024 depending on the vehicle’s circulation date, will be for those registered before January 1, 2017. This phased approach is planned to avoid bottlenecks at inspection centers.
Extended Inspection Schedule: Vehicles registered between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, are to be inspected in 2025, while those registered between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, will be inspected in 2026. For vehicles registered after January 1, 2022, the first inspection should occur within six months before the expiration of a five-year period from their first circulation date, followed by inspections every three years thereafter.
Public Response: The new technical inspection requirement has sparked protests among bikers in various French cities, including Paris. They have demonstrated against this obligation multiple times over the recent months, showcasing a significant public opposition to the change.
Government and EU Objectives: The French government aims to make the inspection process as simple and inexpensive as possible, with an estimated four million two-wheelers being affected. The European Commission mandated this technical inspection across the EU from 2014, intending to implement it by January 2022 for two-wheelers over 125 cm3, in the interest of rider safety and environmental considerations.