“The technical inspection centers are ready to receive the motorcycles, there are already waiting lists”

Les centres de contrôle technique sont prêts “à 70 %” à accueillir les motards. Illustration MAXPPP – Jérémie FULLERINGER

Alors que le contrôle technique des deux-roues devient obligatoire à compter de ce lundi 15 avril, malgré la colère des motards, Laurent Jolivet, président de la branche "contrôle technique" du syndicat Mobilians Occitanie, fait le point.

Are the technical inspection centers ready to welcome motorcyclists from Monday ?

According to our statistics, around 70% of centers will carry out motorcycle checks from this Monday. The remaining 30% either lack space, or have not yet received the equipment, or are not volunteers since there is no obligation to carry out the two-wheeler inspection.

Controlling a motorcycle, is it a different practice?

There are common codes, for example a smooth tire, whether on a car or on a motorcycle, it remains a smooth tire. But it is true that it is still very different, and that is why all the centers had to complete a four-day training course to receive the first approval authorizing them to control motorcycles, in addition to prove that you have the necessary equipment.

Is this a significant investment?

The mandatory equipment costs around 1,000 euros. But to work in complete safety, for the controller as well as for the motorcycle, for example using a bridge, you need to count up to 8,000 euros. moreover. Many centers have also carried out work to fit out their garages. Some centers will also hire additional employees to cope with the influx.

It won't be from Monday, if the anger of the bikers is to be believed…

Make no mistake, there is already a waiting list, since a technical inspection less than six months old is mandatory to sell a motorcycle. Many second-hand sales are frozen today, so the checks will become a reality from this Monday.

Are you afraid of this call for boycott launched by angry bikers?

There is, in many centers, inevitably a concern. Moreover, most start the motorcycle control on the sly. But, as with cars in 1992, I think things will settle down over time. There is no need to be afraid of technical inspections if the motorcycle is well maintained. For my part, and many will do like me, I have planned to offer the bikers to stay with me for the manipulations, even while I ride a motorcycle.

Some say that this control is useless, that bikers take care of their machine…

In Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany where controls have existed for a long time, there are 20% of counter-visits, which shows that it is not so harmless. The first year, the controls will be a little lighter in France, but the regulations will evolve from 2025 on noise, speed or the unlocking of 50 cm3 scooters. And when you know how easy it is to unclamp a motor, it will be far from useless.

What will be the price of a check? The Minister of Transport mentioned 50 € ?

It’was to calm the spirits. But a car check lasts 35 minutes and costs on average 79 euros. For a motorbike, it will take 30 minutes, so it seems difficult to go below 70 euros. We remain traders and we will have to amortize the investments.

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