Vehicles and fleet — roadworthiness test, insurance, servicing (France)
A list of checks and obligations with their cadence, ready to add to your agenda.
For private owners of a car or motorcycle and for businesses running a fleet of vehicles registered in France. Covers the periodic roadworthiness test (cars, light commercial vehicles with the complementary emissions check, heavy goods vehicles, coaches, two- and three-wheelers), compulsory motor third-party liability insurance, and manufacturer servicing schedules. Does NOT cover professional-driver training (FIMO/FCO), tachographs, transport licences or company-car taxation.
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Ask what is in the manuals, how often the maintenance is due and what it takes to do it.
What it already has at hand
- No manual on this page
- 8 planned checks, the most frequent every 6 months since the last inspection
Planned checks
Informative summary verified on 11/09/2026. It does not replace legal advice: the regulation cited prevails. If you spot an error, report it.
Some checks are only mandatory in certain countries: pick yours and the list follows.
In Italy this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
- 01
Have the first roadworthiness test within 4 years of first registration
An M1 or N1 vehicle must undergo a roadworthiness test in the six months before the fourth anniversary of first registration. Proof is the favourable inspection report and the stamp on the registration document; a test is also required when selling a vehicle more than four years old, and is valid if carried out less than six months earlier. Applies to M1 vehicles (cars, motorhomes) up to 3.5 t and to N1 light commercial vehicles, with a six-month window before the due date.
every 48 months from installationLegal obligationCode de la route art. R323-22 ; arrêté du 18 juin 1991France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Renew the roadworthiness test every 2 years
After the first favourable test, the periodic roadworthiness test is renewed every two years at an approved centre; if the result is unfavourable the re-test must take place within two months of the inspection date. Proof is the valid inspection report, and driving without one is a fourth-class offence that may lead to immobilisation or impounding of the vehicle. Applies to M1 and N1 vehicles up to 3.5 t; for classic vehicles the interval extends to five years, except on change of ownership.
every 24 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationCode de la route art. L323-1 et art. R323-22France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 03
Carry out the annual roadworthiness test of heavy vehicles
Vehicles with a gross laden weight above 3.5 tonnes (lorries, trailers and semi-trailers over the threshold) undergo a roadworthiness test every year at an approved centre or by an approved inspector; complementary tests and EU roadside technical inspections apply in addition. Proof is the annual inspection report. Applies to vehicles above 3.5 t whose type falls within Part A of Annex VIII of the 27 July 2004 order.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationCode de la route art. R323-23 à R323-26 ; arrêté du 27 juillet 2004France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 04
Carry out the roadworthiness test of two- and three-wheelers
Powered two- and three-wheelers and motor quadricycles undergo a roadworthiness test at the latest five years after first registration, then every three years. Proof is the valid inspection report. Applies to motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles and motor quadricycles; vehicles registered before the scheme started follow a staggered first-test calendar running to the end of 2026, which must be checked before setting the three-year cadence.
every 36 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationCode de la route art. R323-1 et suivants ; arrêté du 23 octobre 2023France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 05
Follow the manufacturer's servicing schedule
Have the services set out in the manufacturer's service book carried out, typically every 15,000-30,000 km or every 12 or 24 months, whichever comes first. Proof is the stamped service book or the garage invoice; the 15,000 km figure is a conservative starting point to be replaced by the interval stated in the specific model's book. Applies to all vehicles: there is no general legal duty, but skipping the schedule can void the contractual warranty, affects resale value and, for company fleets, bears on the general duty to provide safe vehicles to employees.
every 15000 kmRecommendedAucune obligation légale générale ; carnet d'entretien du constructeur et conditions de la garantie contractuelleFrance onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 06
Carry out the six-monthly roadworthiness test of buses and coaches
Buses and coaches used to carry passengers undergo a roadworthiness test every six months, a stricter frequency than for heavy goods vehicles. Proof is the six-monthly inspection report, kept on board or at the company. Applies to vehicles used for the collective carriage of passengers (buses, coaches).
every 6 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationCode de la route art. R323-23 à R323-26 ; arrêté du 27 juillet 2004France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 07
Keep motor third-party liability insurance in force
Every land motor vehicle, including trailers and semi-trailers, must be covered by insurance guaranteeing third-party liability, taken out with an authorised insurer. Proof is the insurance attestation and the entry in the insured-vehicles file, since the paper green card was abolished in France on 1 April 2024; the deadline to track is the annual policy renewal. Applies to every natural or legal person other than the State who puts a land motor vehicle on the road, even if unused as long as it is not deregistered, company vehicles and trailers included. Cadence to be confirmed on the cited source.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationCode des assurances art. L211-1France onlySource - 08
Carry out the complementary emissions check on light commercial vehicles
N1 vehicles must undergo a complementary emissions inspection in the two months before the first anniversary of each roadworthiness test, so that a full test and an emissions check alternate year by year. Proof is the complementary inspection report. Applies only to category N1 vehicles (light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 t) and slots in between two periodic roadworthiness tests.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationCode de la route art. R323-22 ; arrêté du 18 juin 1991France onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In Germany this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Switzerland this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Austria this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United Kingdom this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Spain this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Portugal this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United States this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Other country this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
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