Calls for annual inspections of older cars in France strongly opposed by minister

Calls by the EU to introduce annual roadworthiness tests for older cars have been resolutely opposed by France’s Transport Minister. 

The European Commission included the measure in part of new plans to improve road safety in the bloc, published at the end of April. 

Cars and vans over 10 years old would face an annual roadworthiness inspection (in France, the contrôle téchnique) under the plans, to improve safety as well as combat speedometer fraud for vehicles being sold or driven more frequently than drivers state. 

Read more: Annual safety tests proposed for vehicles in France over 10 years old

However, when asked about the motion in a questions-for-government session in the Assemblée nationale yesterday (May 6), Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stated he was against the measure. 

“The proposal could affect millions of French people… My colleague Benjamin Haddad [Minister Delegate for Europe) and I are resolutely opposed to this,” he said.

Plans bring confusion

Current rules in France state that after a vehicle receives its first roadworthiness test (following four years of being on the road) it must have a test every two years, regardless of its age. 

There are some exemptions for classic cars. 

Making these bi-annual tests annual has been met with little support across France.

“The proposal has left us perplexed,” said vice president of the Ligue contre la violence routière (association against road accidents) Pierre Lagache. 

“Road accidents have multiple root causes, but in over 90% of serious accidents, there is a behavioural problem,” he said to French media outlet FranceInfo.

The issue of older or obsolete vehicles is “not negligible” in road accidents, but is involved in only around 20% of cases, he added.

There are also doubts whether there is enough evidence the change would make a significant impact on road safety. 

The plans would unfairly impact lower-income drivers in France, who would have to budget an additional €80 or so (prices for the test are not standardised in France) each year. 

Many drivers are already concerned that their older vehicles are being unfairly penalised by eco-regulations such as the low emission zones (Zones à faibles émissions, ZFEs), currently under debate.

“It's a measure that should make us think [about the social status of drivers,” said Mr Lagache. 

“There is a case for action in terms of road safety, and we call on the government to act, but [not with this measure],” he added.

The average age of a vehicle in France is 11 years, meaning millions of extra tests would need to be made each year under the EU plan.

Are changes likely to happen? 

The European Commission plans also include a digitisation of driving documents including vehicle registration, held on a European platform – likely the same or similar to the one set to be used for digital driving licences from 2030 onwards, as well as new tests for electric vehicles. 

However, the proposals are yet to be voted on by the European Parliament or European Council, with a date for a vote not specified.

If the vote passes, it will then be up to the Commission to prepare the acts for implementation across the bloc. 

In 2024, the European Parliament voted on a major bill set to improve driver safety. 

It has led to the pending digitisation of driving documents and closer links across the bloc for licences. 

However, the part of the bill aiming to introduce mandatory medical tests for older drivers was voted against, but drivers will need to complete a self-assessment form when obtaining or renewing a licence.

It may be the case that in the upcoming vote, the bill passes overall but the specific section on annual tests is voted against by MEPs. 

French MPs are, independently of the new EU rules, attempting to introduce medical checks for over 70s.