News Digest: Control Techniques Now Required for Motorbikes & Final Call for Your French Visa Questions

Yesterday (April 15th), a new law came into action regarding motorbikes and scooters in France. From now on, Contrôle Techniques, the roadworthiness tests that all cars must pass in order to be legally driven in France, will now also be obligatory for all two-wheeled vehicles.

The changes come after long-standing protests and stiff opposition from the Fédération française des motards en colère (FFMC), who argue that the increased paperwork and costs of a contrôle technique will not impact safety. In particular, they quote an insurance company study of over 16,000 motorbike claims that show only 0.03% of which were attributed to the condition of the vehicle.

However, a recent poll by Assurances de BPCE L’Observatoire found that 73% of motorbike riders support the law, especially riders under 50.

Either way, the new law will bring France in line with EU regulations that have been in place since 2014, so it’s been a long time in the running.

For more details, read our guide: France’s Contrôle Technique for Motorbikes & Scooters: New Rules.

If you haven’t managed to get your hands on tickets for the 2024 Paris Olympics yet, then now’s your chance! A flash sale of 250,000 tickets will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17th, to mark the 100-day countdown to the event. Tickets go on sale on the official website here at 10am French time and include a wide variety of events on sale for between €24 and €380.

At least half of the tickets will be under the €100 mark, and they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so you’ll need to be quick. Purchasers need to set up an account before buying, so our advice is to do that now, then set your alarm for tomorrow so you’re ready to go!

France’s spring school holidays continue this week, with schools in Zone C (which includes Paris, Toulouse, and Montpellier) still on holiday this week and Zone A (which includes Bordeaux, Lyon, and much of central France) on holiday as of Saturday, April 13th.

The final regions in Zone B will start their holidays this Saturday, April 20th, and, as with the rest of the country, will enjoy a two-week break.

Check out the full calendar of 2024 school holidays in France.

If you’re looking to move to France and have questions about visas and residency, then make sure to sign up for our free webinar THIS THURSDAY! I’ll be joined by expert advisors from Lexidy, English-speaking France immigration lawyers, and FAB French Insurance for a comprehensive look at the road to permanent residency in France.

We’ll be covering everything from that initial visa application to applying for your Carte de Sejour, ensuring you have all the latest information and advice for a smooth transition to France in 2024.

As always, you can send your questions to me in advance at [email protected], and you can sign up for the free webinar here:

Visas & Residency in France: Making the Move in 2024

Thursday, 18^th April, 16.00 BST (17.00 French time)