Category L vehicle inspections will take effect on April 15, 2024.
10/01/2024
Which vehicles are subject to the Category L technical inspection in France?
Periodic technical inspections are now mandatory for Category L vehicles subject to registration requirements, with engine displacements of 50 cm³ or more.
They will be phased in gradually based on the vehicle’s age to avoid overcrowding at inspection centers.
The vehicles affected are mopeds, motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, and license-free cars.
To find out if your vehicle must undergo the new two-wheeler inspection, check field J on your vehicle’s registration certificate and refer to the detailed list here: https://www.utac-otc.com/Categorie_L.
Vehicles not subject to periodic technical inspection:
• Classic vehicles first registered before January 1, 1960
• “ENDURO” and “TRIAL” vehicles (falling under the sub-subcategories L3e-A1E, L3e-A2E, L3e-A3E, L3e-A1T, L3e-A2T, L3e-A3T) and owned by holders of a license issued by a sports federation authorized by the Minister of Sports to oversee the practice of motorcycling
When should you have your motorcycle inspected?
When should you bring your motorcycle or scooter in for its first technical inspection?
Technical inspections for motorized two-wheelers must be performed when the vehicle is 5 years old, and then every three years. They are valid for three years.
If the vehicle is sold, the inspection must have been performed within the last 6 months.
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Date of first registration: |
Date of the first periodic technical inspection: |
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Through December 31, 2016 |
Between April 15 and December 31, 2024 |
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Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019 |
Between January 1 and December 31, 2025 |
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Between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021 |
Between January 1 and December 31, 2026 |
Source: https://www.utac-otc.com/Categorie_L
What inspection points will be checked, and what equipment is required under these new regulations?
The procedure is less extensive than that required for passenger cars and trucks, and will be implemented gradually.
Inspections will focus on driver safety, environmental and noise pollution, and speed limits.
Capelec offers the equipment required for this new mandatory inspection.
Centers already equipped with a CAP3600 exhaust gas opacity analyzer for inspecting light vehicles (LVs) or heavy vehicles (HVs) will be able to update their equipment free of charge.
The new technical inspection for Category L vehicles will take place in three phases.
PHASE 1
• Vehicle identification
• Vehicle braking system
• Steering
• Visibility
• Lights, reflective devices, and electrical equipment
• Axles, wheels, tires, and suspension
• Chassis and chassis accessories
• Other equipment
• Nuisances.
What equipment is required?
The inspection is visual only; no specific equipment is required.
• Exhaust emissions inspection: measurement of gas emissions and smoke opacity
What equipment is required?
→ The CAP3600 GO Capelec combined gas and opacity analyzer. Centers already equipped with this device will need to perform a software update.
→ Accessories for collecting exhaust gases
PHASE 2
• Testing for vehicle noise pollution
What equipment is required?
→ Capelec sound level meter for noise measurement. Centers already equipped with this device will need to perform a software update.
→ RPM measurement equipment suitable for category L.
PHASE 3
• Inspection of the maximum speed of L1e category vehicles, which must be less than 45 km/h.
What equipment is required?
→ Capelec speedometer
Results and validity of the periodic technical inspection
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Result of the periodic technical inspection: |
Validity: |
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Passed technical inspection: |
Three years (Five years for classic cars) |
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Failed technical inspection due to a major defect: |
Two months |
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Failed technical inspection due to a critical defect: |
On the day of the inspection |