L category vehicle inspection: review following two years of regulation
News - 07/05/2026
In summary:
- ↦ The roll-out of the L category vehicle inspection has been gradual but has exceeded forecasts, with over 2.2 million tests carried out in 2024–2025
- More than half of light vehicle inspection centres are now equipped to inspect two- and three-wheeled vehicles
- The number of re-inspections and faults varies considerably depending on the type of vehicle inspected
- ↦ The inspections highlight significant issues relating to road safety and vehicle maintenance
Roll-out of vehicle inspection for two-wheeled vehicles in France
Vehicle inspections for two-wheeled, three-wheeled and quadricycle vehicles are now widespread. They focus primarily on safety features and pollutant emissions. Two years after the roll-out began, the Central Technical Organisation has published figures providing an initial assessment.
Over 110,000 inspections carried out each month
Made compulsory in France in April 2024, the roll-out of the Cat. L inspection – commonly known as the vehicle inspection for two-wheeled vehicles – has taken place gradually.
Whilst the roll-out was initially slow, with centres equipping themselves in line with the timetable set out in the 2023 Ministerial Order, it ultimately exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts.
Figures published this week by UTAC/OTC show that 2,210,857 inspections were carried out between April 2024 and December 2025 in France, including both mainland France and overseas territories. This represents 7.65 per cent of all roadworthiness tests, across all vehicle categories.
Date of implementation
April 2024
Number of L category inspections
2,210,857
Proportion of L category inspections
7.65 per cent
Number of light vehicle (VL) and heavy goods vehicle (PL) roadworthiness tests as at 31/12/2025
28,886,288
A now well-established network across the country for the L category
Vehicle inspection operators have adapted to these new regulations; more than half of vehicle inspection centres now offer inspections for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, amounting to 3,783 centres approved for Category L in France.
The introduction of this new service has not led to any significant overload on the technical inspection centres, as this activity remains marginal compared to standard vehicle inspection.
Today, the geographical coverage ensures a good nationwide network of mixed centres, which service both light vehicles and vehicles in the L category.
Number of light vehicle centres in 2025
6,784
Number of heavy goods vehicle centres in 2025
398
Number of Category L approved centres
3,783
Proportion of light vehicle centres approved for Category L
52 per cent
Source: https://www.utac-otc.com/actualite/Pages/Bilan_Categorie_L
Initial assessment of the state of the L category vehicle fleet
Significant variations depending on the categories of vehicles inspected
There are significant differences depending on the vehicle category; light quadricycles (L6), such as Ami-type microcars, have the worst results. Nearly one in three licence-free cars requires a re-inspection.
Mopeds and scooters (L1) are also problematic, with faults relating in particular to tyres, lights and noise/pollution.
Finally, motorbikes (L3), accounting for 74 per cent of the fleet inspected, appear to be generally well maintained, with a relatively low level of faults. However, nearly 45 per cent have at least one fault.
Overall, the fleet is ageing and faults are common. In total, 259,911 vehicles were referred for a re-inspection, with faults primarily relating to: tyres, brakes, lighting and emissions.
Number of re-inspections
259,911
Re-inspection rate for motorbikes
11.1 per cent
Re-inspection rate for mopeds
22.4 per cent
Re-inspection rate for microcars/quadricycles
28.1 per cent
Age of vehicles
11 to 29 years
Braking and lighting: the main safety issues for the L category
Braking and lighting faults, which are major road safety concerns, are nevertheless the most common findings during motorcycle vehicle inspections. However, they are usually identified before they become critical.
Braking appears to be one of the major weak points across all vehicle categories, with light quadricycles being the most affected: 31 per cent of faults.
Faults relating to visibility are also very common: between 10 per cent and 30 per cent of vehicles have a fault in this area.
Noise and pollution issues (noise and exhaust emissions), meanwhile, affect a significant proportion of the vehicle fleet, particularly noise from two-wheelers, which has only been measured since July 2025.
Here too, there are disparities depending on vehicle category, but these new regulations highlight issues relating to routine maintenance, which are essential for safety and the environment.
The measuring equipment required for L category vehicle inspection
To meet the regulatory requirements on these specific points, as is the case with vehicle inspection for motor vehicles, technical inspection centres must use approved vehicle inspection equipment that is suitable for the L category: gas analyser, noise level measuring device and the speed tester.
Taking out a maintenance contract for the sound level meter: a grace period has been granted to motorcycle technical inspection centres until July 2026.
A still partial assessment
Vehicle inspections of two-wheelers generate traffic at approved technical inspection centres during the compulsory inspection, but also during second-hand sales. However, the scheme is still in the roll-out phase.
As the mandatory inspection takes place every three years after the first one, a comprehensive assessment will not be available until 2027–2028, by which time the entire fleet will have entered the cycle.