On Thursday 21 May 2026 the European Parliament has voted to move forward with negotiations on revised EU rules for periodic roadworthiness tests and roadside inspections. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved the negotiating mandate with 369 votes in favour, 126 against and 84 abstentions.

MEPs back the proposal to remove the current flexibility for the periodic testing of motorcycles over 125 cc, to make the Periodical Technical Inspection (PTI) obligatory for all motorcycles in the European Union. They also support the extension of roadworthiness checks to electrically powered heavy motorcycles.

For the motorcycle community, another key point stands out: Parliament supports roadside emissions inspections for motorcycles, alongside cars, vans, trucks and buses. Motorcycles identified as potentially high-emitting could then be required to undergo additional technical inspections.

At the same time, MEPs rejected proposals to increase the frequency of mandatory inspections for older cars and vans from every two years to annually. The Parliament also backed stronger measures against odometer fraud, including recording mileage data during certain repairs and from connected vehicles.

Negotiations with the EU Council of Ministers will now begin. Rapporteur Jens Gieseke will lead the Parliament’s negotiating team.

FEMA’s General Secretary Wim Taal is not happy with the parliament’s decision: “This is about subsidiarity, the principle that the EU should only act if a goal can be better achieved at the Union level rather than by member states acting individually. Since the EU Council was very clear in its position to remain the status quo and give Member States the chance to introduce alternative measures to improve road safety for motorcyclists, it is in my opinion unheard of that the European Parliament wants to overrule national competences.”

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