Most EU countries require an annual or biennial test (done by a licensed commercial company or a government agency) to demonstrate that a motorcycle is still roadworthy. Existing EU legislation requires that all motorcycles over 125cc require testing unless a country has other plans for road safety for motorcycles. Draft EU legislation proposes to end this exemption and extend the testing to all motorcycles (including those under 125cc).

Statistically, there is no link between the presence of testing and the number of motorcyclists killed in that country showing that other factors are more important to road safety; moreover, repeated studies show that only around 1% of motorcycle accidents are caused by technical failures and in those circumstances, it is mostly tyres, brakes and lights (items that fail or wear out between inspections) that are responsible. Furthermore, geography is very different across Europe, and this has a real-world impact on both vehicle usage and the distances riders would need to travel for tests as well as the availability of tests.

FIM, FEMA and FIVA are working together to ensure that alternative road safety measures are still available for countries to choose as these might be more appropriate for safety in that region.

European Union

€70,000

2025 – 2026

Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations, Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens

Meet with EU officials, MEPs and country representatives to outline our concerns. Try to reach elected officials through media outreach.

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Maintain the existing status quo and allow countries to choose the most appropriate response for motorcycle safety