Category L Vehicle Inspection: Assessment After Two Years of Regulation
News - 07/05/2026
In summary:
- The rollout of Category L vehicle inspections has been gradual but has exceeded projections, with more than 2.2 million inspections conducted in 2024–2025
- More than half of light vehicle inspection centers are now equipped to inspect two- and three-wheeled vehicles
- The number of re-inspections and defect points varies widely depending on the type of vehicle inspected
- The inspections highlight significant issues related to road safety and vehicle maintenance
Rollout of technical inspections for two-wheeled vehicles in France
Technical inspections for two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and quadricycle vehicles are now widespread. They focus primarily on safety components and emissions. Two years after the rollout began, the Central Technical Agency has published figures providing an initial assessment.
More than 110,000 inspections performed per month
Made mandatory in France in April 2024, the implementation of the Cat. L inspection—commonly known as the two-wheeler technical inspection—has proceeded gradually.
Although the rollout was slow at first—with centers equipping themselves according to the schedule established by the 2023 ministerial decree—it ultimately exceeded even the most optimistic projections.
Figures released this week by UTAC/OTC show 2,210,857 inspections between April 2024 and December 2025 in France, including both mainland France and overseas territories. This represents 7.65% of all vehicle inspections, across all vehicle categories.
Effective Date
April 2024
Number of Category L inspections
2,210,857
Share of Category L inspections
7.65%
Number of light vehicle (VL) and heavy vehicle (PL) inspections as of 12/31/2025
28,886,288
A well-established nationwide network for Category L
Vehicle inspection providers have adapted to these new regulations; more than half of all vehicle inspection centers now offer inspections for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, representing 3,783 centers certified for Category L in France.
The rollout of this new service has not led to significant overcrowding at the centers, as this activity remains marginal compared to standard vehicle inspections.
Today, geographic coverage ensures a good nationwide network of mixed-use centers, serving both light vehicles and Category L two-wheelers.
Number of light vehicle inspection centers in 2025
6,784
Number of heavy-duty vehicle inspection centers in 2025
398
Number of Category L-approved centers
3,783
Percentage of light vehicle centers approved for Category L
52%
Source: https://www.utac-otc.com/actualite/Pages/Bilan_Categorie_L
Initial Assessment of the Status of the Category L Vehicle Fleet
Significant Variations by Vehicle Category
Significant differences exist across vehicle categories; light quadricycles (L6), such as Ami-type microcars, show the worst results. Nearly one in three license-free cars requires a follow-up inspection.
Mopeds and scooters (L1) are also problematic; their defects mainly involve tires, lights, and noise/pollution.
Finally, motorcycles (L3)—which account for 74% of the inspected fleet—appear to be generally well-maintained, with a relatively low rate of defects. However, nearly 45% have at least one defect.
Overall, the fleet is old and defects are common. In total, 259,911 vehicles were referred for a follow-up inspection, with defects primarily involving: tires, brakes, lighting, and emissions.
Number of re-inspections
259,911
Re-inspection rate for motorcycles
11.1%
Re-inspection rate for mopeds
22.4%
Re-inspection rate for microcars/quadricycles
28.1%
Vehicle age
11 to 29 years
Braking and lighting: the main safety concerns for Category L vehicles
Braking and lighting defects, which are major road safety concerns, are nevertheless the most common issues found during motorcycle inspections. However, they are most often 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% of defects.
Defects related to visibility are also very common: between 10% and 30% of vehicles have an issue with this function.
Noise and pollution issues (noise and exhaust emissions), meanwhile, affect a significant portion of the vehicle fleet, particularly noise from two-wheelers, which has only been measured since July 2025.
Here too, disparities exist depending on vehicle categories, but this new regulation highlights issues related to routine maintenance, which are essential for safety and the environment.
The measurement equipment required for Category L inspections
To meet regulatory requirements on these specific points, as is the case with vehicle inspections, testing centers must use approved inspection equipment that is suitable for Category L vehicles: gas analyzer, sound level meter, and the speedometer.
Signing a maintenance contract for the sound level meter: a grace period has been granted to motorcycle technical inspection centers until July 2026.
A still incomplete assessment
Technical inspections of two-wheeled vehicles generate traffic at authorized centers during mandatory inspections, as well as during used vehicle sales. However, the system is still in the rollout phase.
Since mandatory inspections occur every 3 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 inspection cycle.