Netherlands fights EU plan for mandatory motorcycle inspections

Dutch authorities, industry groups, and safety organizations are opposing a European Union plan to introduce mandatory periodic technical inspections for motorcycles, while a separate investigation has exposed large-scale tax fraud involving imported bikes.

The debate centers on more than 850,000 motorcycles registered in the Netherlands, a number that has grown by about 20,000 since the end of 2024, De Telegraaf reports. At the same time, authorities are warning about fraud in the import market, including tampered frame numbers and false damage reports linked to widespread BPM tax evasion in motorcycle imports.

The European Commission wants to harmonize motorcycle inspection rules across the bloc, which could end the Netherlands’ current exemption from mandatory roadworthiness testing. The issue is now moving through EU institutions, with the European Parliament expected to take a position this week. Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency, guiding negotiations, and EU member states are broadly opposed, according to Dutch stakeholders.

“Here we are, of course, completely not waiting for this,” said Wim Mulder, chairman of the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association, referring to the proposed inspection requirement.

Opposition in the Netherlands is unusually broad. The RAI Association, BOVAG, and even the Dutch government oppose the plan. Mulder argued the measure would add costs and bureaucracy without improving safety. “We fully support safety, but the proposal only creates costs, hassle, and bureaucracy,” he said.

Industry representatives say the Netherlands already relies on an effective alternative system. Martijn van Eikenhorst of the RAI Association said the country’s approach is well developed and data-driven. “We have a great system in the Netherlands with alternatives to mandatory inspections,” he said.

He noted research indicating that in fewer than 0.5% of motorcycle accidents, technical failure plays a role. He added that riders already receive strong encouragement to maintain safety through protective gear, lighting use, and regular maintenance.

The Netherlands currently benefits from an exemption from periodic motorcycle inspections partly because of that safety record. However, officials warn that Brussels is pushing to standardize rules across member states despite resistance, which could lead to stricter regulations for motorcycle safety inspections that may affect the current exemptions enjoyed by countries like the Netherlands.

“The chance is high that Members of the European Parliament will be even more strongly in favor than the Commission,” said a spokesperson for the BOVAG industry group.

Belgium, however, is moving in the opposite direction and wants to abolish its motorcycle inspection requirement. Dutch industry representatives say Belgium’s secondhand motorcycle market has suffered significantly under its inspection system. “The Belgians want to get rid of it, partly because the trade in used motorcycles has collapsed,” Mulder said.

Van Eikenhorst also pointed to lobbying pressure in Brussels from inspection organizations that would benefit from a uniform EU system, which could lead to changes in regulations that may further impact the motorcycle market in Belgium and the Netherlands.

If the EU plan advances, the Netherlands would be required to build a new inspection infrastructure, potentially involving major investment and new administrative systems. “That means enormous investments,” Mulder said.

Even under an EU mandate, the Netherlands could retain some flexibility on inspection frequency and criteria, but stakeholders fear Brussels would impose complex requirements.

There are also concerns about broader market effects. Industry groups warn that motorcycle use, which is currently rising, could be discouraged by added costs, such as increased fees for inspections and maintenance requirements that may arise from the EU mandate. The Netherlands now has nearly 850,000 motorcycles in use, and commuter traffic is increasing.

RAI Association officials also expect growth in leased motorcycles, partly driven by upcoming tax changes affecting employers. Companies may increasingly offer motorcycles through leasing arrangements or mobility budgets.

Separately, Dutch authorities are also confronting fraud in the imported motorcycle market. Investigators have uncovered large-scale BPM tax evasion involving motorcycles, including cases with taped-over frame numbers and falsified damage reports.

The RAI Association warned that such fraud is already widespread in motorcycle imports, adding pressure on regulators and industry oversight systems.

If a mandatory inspection regime is introduced, the BOVAG says it must be practical and proportionate. “Feasible and affordable. Not inspecting for the sake of inspection, but with a clear and proven effective purpose,” the organization said.