Every country tests motorcycles in its own way. Germany has the Hauptuntersuchung (HU), Austria the Pickerl, Switzerland the MFK, France, Belgium and Luxembourg the contrôle technique and Spain the ITV. First test, interval, price and testing body differ a lot, and Belgium has no periodic test for motorcycles at all. This motorcycle inspection comparison is for anyone who has a bike registered in one of these seven countries, plans to buy one there or is moving there. It sums up our country guides, and each section links to the full article. All information as of November 2026.
In short
- The country of registration decides: a bike registered in Germany needs the German HU, even if you ride it through France or Spain.
- Shortest interval: Germany tests after two years for the first time and every two years after that.
- Latest first test: in Switzerland the first MFK is due after five, at the latest six years.
- Yearly tests: Luxembourg from the sixth year, Austria for older motorcycles.
- Belgium is different: no periodic test, but a check when the bike is sold and after an accident.
- Change in 2027: on 19 May 2027 Austria switches to a 4-2-2-2-1 year pattern.
Motorcycle inspection compared
The table shows the basic rules for motorcycles. Mopeds, historic vehicles and transitional cases partly have their own deadlines, which you will find in the country guides.
| Country | First test | After that | Cost (2026) | Who tests | Special point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (HU) | after 2 years | every 2 years | about 75–100 euros incl. emissions test | testing organisations, colloquially "TÜV" | fine if the sticker is more than 2 months overdue |
| Austria (Pickerl) | after 3 years, from 19 May 2027 after 4 years | until 18 May 2027: 2, then yearly; from 19 May 2027: 2, 2, 2, then yearly | no fixed price, depends on the station | authorised stations such as garages, ÖAMTC, ARBÖ | 4-month grace period ends in 2027 |
| Switzerland (MFK) | after 5, at the latest 6 years | after 3 years, then every 2 years | about CHF 60, varies by canton | cantonal road traffic office | written summons, faults fixed within 30 days |
| France (contrôle technique) | in the 6 months before the 5th anniversary of first registration | every 3 years | about 50–80 euros | approved test centres | mandatory since 2024, bikes from 2020 and 2021 by 31 Dec 2026 |
| Belgium (contrôle technique / keuring) | no periodic test | only on sale and after an accident | 51.90–57.50 euros by region | regional test stations | Flanders: sale check ends in 2027, except for imports |
| Luxembourg (contrôle technique) | after 4 years | after 6 years, then yearly | 54.50 euros at SNCT | SNCT and other approved bodies | reminder letter about 8 weeks before expiry |
| Spain (ITV) | after 4 years | every 2 years | regional maximum rates, e.g. 10.21–24.24 euros before VAT; Madrid free pricing, about 35–45 euros | ITV stations | 200 euro fine without a valid ITV |
The prices are not directly comparable. In Spain, VAT and a fee for the traffic authority DGT come on top of the maximum rates, while in Germany the emissions test is already included. In France and Austria each test station sets its own price.
The countries in detail
Germany: Hauptuntersuchung
Under Annex VIII of the German vehicle registration regulations (StVZO), motorcycles must go to the HU every 24 months, a newly registered bike after two years. The sticker on the rear number plate shows the due date. If you are more than two months late, you pay a fine and a surcharge for the extended test. Procedure, costs and typical faults are covered in our guide to the German motorcycle HU.
Austria: Pickerl under § 57a
Until 18 May 2027, motorcycles follow the 3-2-1 pattern, after that 4-2-2-2-1. Today you may have the test done from one month before to four months after the inspection month, in future only up to four months before. That grace period is often not recognised abroad. How the replacement sticker works and which special rules apply in 2027 is explained in our guide to the Austrian Pickerl.
Switzerland: MFK
The periodic vehicle test is organised by your canton's road traffic office. It sends you a written summons; you can usually move the date but not cancel it. According to the federal portal, a motorcycle test costs about CHF 60. What to bring and what happens if faults are found is in our guide to the Swiss MFK.
France: contrôle technique
Since 15 April 2024, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in France must also be tested. There is no reminder letter, you book the test yourself. Riding without a valid test usually costs a fixed fine of 135 euros. The transition calendar and the rules for selling are in our guide to the French contrôle technique.
Belgium: check on sale and after an accident
Since 1 January 2023, a motorcycle over 125 cc (electric: over 11 kW and faster than 45 km/h) must be checked before it is sold to a new keeper and after an accident. The regions are in charge, so prices and stations differ. In Flanders the mandatory check on sale ends on 1 January 2027, except for imported vehicles. Details in our guide to the Belgian motorcycle inspection.
Luxembourg: contrôle technique
In Luxembourg the first test is due four years after first registration, the second after six years, then every year. Mopeds (cyclomoteurs) are exempt. At SNCT the test costs 54.50 euros, a retest 38.50 euros. What applies when buying used is in our guide to the SNCT test in Luxembourg.
Spain: ITV
Motorcycles are exempt from the ITV for the first four years after first registration, then they must be tested every two years. Mopeds up to 45 km/h are exempt for three years. Most regions set maximum prices; in Madrid and Murcia the stations set their own prices. Fines, fault categories and regional prices are in our guide to the Spanish ITV for motorcycles.
Tip: Before riding abroad, check your sticker or test report. A grace period in your home country does not mean it is recognised in the country you visit. Brakes, lights and tyres are best checked yourself beforehand, for example with our spring check list.
What this means when buying abroad
Inspection rules also matter when you buy a used bike. In France, a seller must give a private buyer a test report less than six months old if the bike is more than five years old. In Luxembourg you need a valid test certificate to register a used bike that is more than four years old. In Belgium the check on sale is currently mandatory in all three regions. How buying and registering across a border works is explained in our guide Buying and registering a motorcycle in a neighbouring country. What to look for at the viewing is in our used motorcycle checklist.
Traffic rules, speed limits and equipment requirements are compared in our article on motorcycle rules in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a local inspection when I ride my German-registered bike abroad?
No. The country where the bike is registered decides. A German-registered motorcycle needs the German HU, also when travelling.
Which country tests motorcycles most often?
At the start, Germany, with an HU every two years from registration. For older bikes, Luxembourg from the sixth year and Austria after the first tests require a yearly check.
Is there no periodic motorcycle test in Belgium?
There is no periodic test. Motorcycles over 125 cc must, however, be checked before being sold to a new keeper and after an accident. In Flanders the sale check ends in 2027, except for imports.
What changes in Austria in 2027?
From 19 May 2027 the first Pickerl is due after four years, then three times at two-year intervals, then every year. The grace period after the inspection month ends.
When does a motorcycle in Switzerland need its first MFK?
Five, at the latest six years after it was first put into service. Then after three years and every two years after that.
Sources
- Anlage VIII StVZO (German Federal Ministry of Justice, in German)
- Motorrad-HU: Kosten, Vorbereitung und Fristen (ADAC, in German)
- BGBl. I Nr. 79/2026, amendment to the Austrian Motor Vehicles Act (RIS, in German)
- Begutachtung (Pickerl) (oesterreich.gv.at, in German)
- Periodische Fahrzeugprüfung (Canton of Solothurn, in German)
- Fahrzeugprüfung (ch.ch, in German)
- Contrôle technique d'un 2, 3 roues ou quadricycle à moteur (Service-Public.fr, in French)
- Contrôle technique obligatoire pour les deux-roues motorisés (Institut national de la consommation, in French)
- Nieuwe regels voor de technische keuring (Flemish Government, in Dutch)
- Barème des redevances moto 2026, Wallonia (Autosécurité, PDF, in French)
- Barème des redevances moto 2026, Brussels (Autocontrôle, PDF, in French)
- Tarieven 2026 (GOCA Vlaanderen, in Dutch)
- Contrôle technique (Luxembourg Ministry of Mobility and Public Works, in French)
- Prix (SNCT, in French)
- Real Decreto 920/2017 on vehicle inspection (BOE, in Spanish)
- Cuánto cuesta pasar la ITV (RACE, in Spanish)
Last checked: November 2026. Deadlines and prices may change.
