EU council rejects mandatory motorcycle inspections

The Council’s answer is clear: motorcycles will not be included in new mandatory EU-wide inspection requirements.

What the decision means

With its position now adopted, the Council chooses to maintain the current scope of EU legislation. Earlier ideas, such as annual inspections for older vehicles and the introduction of EU-level mandatory periodic tests for motorcycles, will not move forward in the upcoming framework.

Instead, the Council emphasises modernising existing systems and reducing administrative burden, rather than expanding the rules to include motorcycles.

FEMA welcomes the decision

The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), which has long opposed compulsory motorcycle inspections at EU level, sees the decision as a significant achievement for riders across Europe. FEMA has consistently highlighted research showing that technical defects are responsible for only a very small share of motorcycle accidents.

“Motorcyclists maintain their bikes because their lives literally depend on it,” says Wim Taal of FEMA. “Data shows that training, infrastructure, and rider awareness have a far greater impact on safety than blanket inspection requirements.”

FEMA argues that EU efforts should instead focus on effective measures such as improved road design, better rider education, targeted technical checks where data shows actual problems, and infrastructure adapted to the needs of motorcyclists.

What happens next?

The legislative process now moves to the European Parliament, which will develop its own position. Once adopted, negotiations between the Parliament and the Council will begin, aiming to reach a final agreement on the updated Roadworthiness Package.

For now, the Council’s stance is unambiguous: no EU-level mandatory motorcycle inspections are included in the upcoming rules.som vanligt.