EP Transport Committee: ‘No more flexibility for the periodic testing of motorcycles’

On Tuesday 5 May 2026, the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) adopted the draft position on the revision of the EU rules on periodic roadworthiness tests for vehicles and roadside inspections for commercial vehicles, by 30 votes to 11, and with two abstentions.

The Transport Committee backed a proposal to remove the current flexibility for the periodic testing of motorcycles over 125 cc, to make it obligatory for all member states to implement periodical technical inspections without exemption. They also support the extension of roadworthiness checks to electrically powered heavy motorcycles.

Current EU rules allow effective national alternatives to mandatory inspections, which several Member States have implemented successfully. A mandatory EU approach removes flexibility without evidence of added value to road safety.

Chris Hodder, FIM’s Public Affairs Manager, and Wim Taal, FEMA’s General Secretary, have been actively working on the PTI issue in Brussels for months, speaking to MEPs from all political groups

Next steps: By 32 votes to 10, and with one abstention, MEPs decided to start talks with EU countries on the final shape of the legislation. This decision needs a green light from Parliament as a whole, scheduled to meet in mid-May of 2026.

FEMA’s General Secretary Wim Taal: “This is a very disappointing result after all the time we and FIM spent discussing this with members of the European Parliament. The push to expand mandatory Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) to all motorcycles is often justified with the claim that ‘testing improves safety’. But the evidence simply doesn’t support that claim. Road safety for motorcyclists will not meaningfully improve through mandatory Periodical Technical Inspections because the data across the EU shows that technical defects almost never cause motorcycle crashes. Road users’ behaviour and infrastructure are the real issues, and PTI does nothing to address them.”

Wim Taal continues: “Current EU rules allow effective national alternatives to mandatory inspections, which several Member States have implemented successfully. A mandatory EU approach removes flexibility without evidence of added value to road safety.”

Finally: “The overwhelming majority of crashes are linked to rider behaviour, road design, and infrastructure issues, not mechanical failure. Despite repeated recommendations, no proof of safety gains has been presented by organisations calling for mandatory PTI for all motorcycles. Policies should be based on real accident causation data, not on assumptions.”

Top photograph courtesy of SMC.