Mini motorcycle, quad: what are the rules (declaration, driving...)?

Verified 31 May 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

How and when to declare the purchase of an unapproved mini motorcycle or quad with a speed exceeding 25 km/h (cross motorcycle, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike...)? What equipment is required? Where can we drive? We tell you the rules to know and how to do the steps.

Step-by-step approach

You are 18 years of age or older

You can buy, rent and use an unapproved mini motorcycle or quad.

You're 15 to 17 years old

You can't buy a mini motorcycle.

However, you can rent and use an unapproved mini motorcycle or quad.

You are 14 years old or younger

You cannot buy or rent an unapproved mini motorcycle or quad.

You can use a mini motorcycle only in the context of activities organized by an approved sports association.

For example, Fédération française de motocyclisme, Union française des oeuvres laïques d'éducation physique.

A motor vehicle shall be declared if it fills the 2 conditions following:

  • Gear not subject to EC type-approval, i.e unapproved
  • Machine capable of exceeding speed by construction 25 kph

In practice, these include: mini motorcycles (cross motorcycle, pocket bike, dirt bike, pit bike...) and quads .

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You bought a new machine

The professional seller (company, association) must make the declaration.

However, it is up to you to declare any subsequent changes (theft, sale, change of address...).

You bought a second-hand machine

You have to make the declaration.

You must also report all subsequent changes (theft, sale, change of address...).

You bought a new machine

The professional salesman (company, combination) should to make the declaration on your behalf within 48 hours according to the date of sale, via the portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Then you need to confirm (or contest) the declaration of the gear.

You're an individual

Once the online declaration has been made and validated by the professional seller, you will receive by email a unique confirmation code.

You must then confirm (or challenge) online the gear declaration via the portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Prepare a proof of domicile in numeric format.

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

After confirmation of the gear declaration, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

These elements will allow you to recover your device.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by the professional seller (form cerfa no. 16241).

Similarly, confirmation of the declaration may be sent by post by the purchaser (form cerfa no. 16242).

The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're an association

Once the online declaration has been made and validated by the professional seller, you will receive by email a unique confirmation code.

You must then confirm (or challenge) online the gear declaration via the portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Prepare the following documents in digital format:

  • Proof of domicile
  • Certificate of the deposit of the association's statutes in the prefecture
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the association if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

After confirmation of the gear declaration, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

These elements allow you to recover your device.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by the professional seller (form cerfa no. 16241).

Similarly, confirmation of the declaration may be sent by post by the purchaser (form cerfa no. 16242).

The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're a company

Once the online declaration has been made and validated by the professional seller, you will receive by email a unique confirmation code.

You must then confirm (or challenge) online the gear declaration via the portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Prepare the following documents in digital format:

  • Proof of domicile
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the company if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

After confirmation of the gear declaration, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

These elements allow you to recover your device.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by the professional seller (form cerfa no. 16241).

Similarly, confirmation of the declaration may be sent by post by the purchaser (form cerfa no. 16242).

The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You bought a second-hand machine

You have to make a declaration within 48 hours according to the date of purchase via the portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

You're an individual

Attach a proof of domicile in numeric format:

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by completing the form cerfa no. 13853. The form shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're an association

Attach the following documents, in digital format:

  • Proof of domicile
  • Certificate of the deposit of the association's statutes in the prefecture
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the association if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by completing the form cerfa no. 13853. The form shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're a company

Attach the following documents, in digital format:

  • Proof of domicile
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the company if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate and one unique identification number will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post by completing the form cerfa no. 13853. The form shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

The identification number of the equipment must be engraved on a fixed part of the equipment, that cannot be changed.

The identification number shall also appear on a plate fixed in evidence. However, this plate may be removed in the context of a sporting activity.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You bought a new machine

The professional salesperson will engrave the number before delivering it to you.

However, if the number has not been engraved, you must take care of it.

You bought a second-hand machine

It's up to you to have the identification number engraved on the machine.

You will receive the identification number by email or by post.

Please note

Driving a mini motorcycle without an identification number is punished by a fine of up to €750.

You have to make the declaration within 48 hours according to the modification.

Examples: change of marital status, change of address, sale, theft or destruction of the machine.

You're an individual

The change declaration is done online via portal via portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Attach, in digital format:

  • If you have changed your address : proof of domicile
  • If you have changed civil status : credential (excluding authentication via FranceConnect)
  • If the gear is sold : proof of domicile
  • In the event of theft of the device : filing of a complaint
  • In case of destruction of the equipment : credential (excluding authentication via FranceConnect)

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration can also be sent by post by completing the form corresponding to your situation, cerfa no. 13853 (sale, theft, destruction or modification of the technical characteristics of the equipment) or cerfa no. 16230 (change of contact details or marital status or change of information in a legal person). The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're an association

The change declaration is done online via portal via portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Attach, in digital format:

  • In the event of a change of address : a proof of domicile
  • If the gear is sold : a proof of domicile
  • In the event of theft of the device : a complaint filed
  • In case of destruction of the equipment : credential (excluding authentication via FranceConnect)
  • Certificate of the deposit of the association's statutes in the prefecture
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the association if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration can also be sent by post by completing the form corresponding to your situation, cerfa no. 13853 (sale, theft, destruction or modification of the technical characteristics of the equipment) or cerfa no. 16230 (change of contact details or marital status or change of information in a legal person). The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

You're a company

The change declaration is done online via portal via portal Dicem: titleContent (connecting via FranceConnect or by e-mail).

Attach, in digital format:

  • In the event of a change of address : a proof of domicile
  • If the gear is sold : a proof of domicile
  • In the event of theft of the device : a complaint filed
  • In case of destruction of the equipment : credential (excluding authentication via FranceConnect)
  • Proof of identity of the legal representative of the company if different from the person making the declaration

Mini motorcycle or quad declaration

Once the online declaration has been completed and validated, a secure declaration certificate will be available in your online space.

FYI  

The declaration can also be sent by post by completing the form corresponding to your situation, cerfa no. 13853 (sale, theft, destruction or modification of the technical characteristics of the equipment) or cerfa no. 16230 (change of contact details or marital status or change of information in a legal person). The forms shall indicate the address of dispatch and the supporting documents to be attached.

Warning  

Failure to report is punishable by a fine of up to €750.

The owner of the machine must have a insurance against personal injury and damage to property which it might cause to others.

If you rent or lend your gear, make sure the person is covered by your insurance or his.

Driver coverage is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

You must wear the following:

  • Full-body helmet one-piece
  • Protective clothing made of strong material that covers the legs, torso, and arms
  • Gloves of resistant material
  • Rising footwear

When you purchase or rent a machine, you will be given a copy of the  charter indicating the rules to be followed.

He is forbidden to drive with an unapproved mini motorcycle or quad on a road open to public traffic : road, path, track...

An unapproved mini motorcycle or quad may be used only on land specially designed for that purpose : approved circuit, adapted terrain.

Failure to comply with this rule is punishable by a fine of up to €1,500.

The vehicle may be confiscated, immobilized and impounded.

Please note

A vehicle without an identification number that was used for urban rodeo shall be considered abandoned as soon as it enters the impound. It is destroyed in the absence of a claim from its owner.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Ministry of the Interior - National Office of Vehicle Registration

    By mail

    Ministry of the Interior

    National Vehicle Registration Office

    Beauvau Square

    75800 Paris Cedex 08

    By email

    assistance-dicem@interieur.gouv.fr

FAQ