Annual road worthiness tests proposed for vehicles in France over 10 years old
New rule proposed by European Commission in bid to cut pollution
All vehicles over 10 years old, including vans, would need to pass an annual CT under the European Commission’s proposal
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Older cars may be required to undergo annual road worthiness tests according to a new rule proposed by the European Commission.
The rule, proposed on April 24, aims to enhance road safety, detect mileage fraud, and boost efforts to cut pollution.
At present vehicles that are more than four years old must undergo a contrôle technique (CT) roadworthiness test every two years in France.
Under the new proposal, all vehicles over 10 years old, including vans, would need to pass an annual CT. This measure is part of a broader EU push to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.
EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas emphasized the initiative's importance, calling it “a major step forward in making our roads safer, our air cleaner, and citizens’ lives easier.”
Last year, nearly 19,800 people lost their lives in road accidents across Europe, and the commission hopes the proposal could save 7,000 lives and prevent 65,000 serious injuries between 2026 and 2050.
In France, this change could affect a large portion of the vehicle fleet.
As of 2024, 60% of the cars inspected are over 10 years old, and the average age of inspected vehicles has exceeded 13 years.
“Up to 60% of the vehicles we inspect today are more than 10 years old,” CEO of the Securitest network Laurent Palmier told RTL. “The average age of vehicles inspected will have passed 13 years by 2024".
These older vehicles are often subjected to heavier use, Mr Palmier added, and can be more prone to wear and tear.
However, this proposal could place significant pressure on France's 6,000 roadworthiness testing centres, which already carry out 19 million checks per year.
The cost for car owners would also rise, with the average inspection fee standing at €78. This would result in nearly €160 every two years for older vehicles.
The CT was also expanded to motorcycles and licence free cars in 2024 - a controversial move that saw one major motorist union call for members to boycott the CTs.
Although the proposal is under review by the European Parliament and member states, its implementation could be several years away. Indeed, the requirement for motorcycle CTs took four years to be enforced in France.
