Reluctance, equipment, training: why it is not yet possible to do your motorcycle technical inspection in Montpellier

Two centers will offer technical inspections for motorcycles in Montpellier. They are not ready yet. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

The compulsory technical inspection for motorcycles comes into force this Monday, April 15. Verification carried out, no Montpellier center is able to accommodate bikers for the moment. At issue: excessive investments, associated with strong protests from users.

Technical inspection becomes compulsory for two-wheeled, three-wheeled and motorized quadricycles (motorcycles, scooters, unlicensed cars and quads) from this Monday, April 15. Its gradual implementation will be carried out by vehicle age group. For the oldest, the check must be carried out before mid-August.

However, no technical inspection center in Montpellier is currently able to offer this service. Delays in the delivery of equipment prevent them from starting on time. Among the twelve centers that agreed to respond to us, only two said they wanted to set up technical inspections for two-wheelers motorized in their establishment. The other ten will not do so, for lack of space or means, but also out of conviction. 

Investments too large

The manager of a Montpellier center, who wished to remain anonymous, explains: "I would like to do the motorcycle technical inspection, but I am the only employee." According to the controller's calculations, there would be "12,000 euros worth of& #39;investment in equipment and training". A sum that he cannot afford to spend, his center being close to the ;Ecusson: "My situation is precarious. Between the work on tram line 5 and the pedestrianization of the streets, I see a lot fewer people". He does not rule out the possibility of adding motorcycle control to his service when he has the funds: "It's always a good option ."

Others refuse to implement this control out of conviction: "I don't want people to have a problem moreover" says a controller. Another explains: "I'm a biker, I'm not for it." A final one qualifies the words of his colleagues: "In general, bikers maintain their motorcycles. It's more compared to scooters and vehicles without a license, we wonder how some people still ride."

Delays in orders

Ultimately only two centers will offer technical inspections for motorcycles in Montpellier. But they are not yet ready: "Manufacturers are completely overwhelmed by demand", explains the manager of a' nbsp;center to the south of the city. He does not prefer to communicate about his new activity, fearing to see demonstrators coming back. In another center, located in the Hôpitaux-Facultés district, we regret "order delays" on the part of suppliers, while ensuring propose technical inspection "upon receipt of the material".

Several centers are still operational in the surrounding area. Asked last week, the Dekra center in Saint-Jean-de-Védas assured to be ready for April 15, even if "everything is not in place yet". Between the equipment and the training, "more than 20,000 euros were invested." In Mauguio, a Norisko center also had to be ready on time.

With this new decree, a technical inspection of less than six months is now compulsory for any sale of a vehicle over five years old and from private to private. The few centers that offer it therefore risk being overwhelmed.

According to a gendarmerie source, the police will demonstrate pedagogy and intelligence in the checks. Bikers have until the end of 2024 to comply. Until then, no repressive measures, but rather preventive measures. . In the meantime, Hérault bikers demonstrated "to speed things up", this Saturday April 13 in Montpellier, as in the rest of France. 

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