Mandatory equipment for driving a motorcycle
Verified 05 October 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Helmet, gloves, vest, lighting, licence plates... What does the highway code say about mandatory motorcycle equipment? Can you get a fine without a mandatory accessory? This page tells you the rules to know about the equipment required to drive in France with a motorised two or three-wheeler (motorcycle, scooter....) or a motor quadricycle (quad).
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Mandatory motorcycle and scooter equipment and penalties for absence
You must wear a helmet to ride a motorcycle, and your passenger.
The headset must be approved, in accordance with the European standard. One white label certificate of ECE type-approval (NF green label tends to disappear).
The headset must be attached.
If you drive your motorcycle without meeting these obligations, you risk withdrawal of 3 points from your licence and fine up to €750.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €135.
The fixed asset and impound of the vehicle may be ordered.
Please note
these rules do not apply to you if you are wearing the seat belt that your vehicle is equipped with.
You can test your equipment's safety level online:
Motorcycle: test your equipment (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes..)
Reminder
drive with phone in hand or by holding in the ear audio device is prohibited (traffic offence punishable by withdrawal of 3 points from licence and fine standard €135). Only devices integrated into the motorcycle helmet are allowed.
You must wear gloves to ride a motorcycle, and your passenger.
Gloves must be CE Certified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
You recognise them on their CE label.
If you drive your motorcycle without meeting these obligations, you risk withdrawal of 1 point from your licence and a fine of up to €450.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €68.
The fixed asset and impound of the vehicle may be ordered.
Please note
these rules do not apply to you if you are wearing a seat belt with a vehicle equipped with doors and seat belts.
You can test your equipment's safety level online:
Motorcycle: test your equipment (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes..)
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General case
To ride a motorcycle, you must have a high visibility vest (jacket, parka, vest, shirt or chest) on you or in your vehicle's storage.
The vest must be EC certified.
If you drive your motorcycle without complying with this obligation, you risk fine up to €38. In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €11.
Following an emergency stop
Following a emergency stop, you put on your high visibility vest if you caused to leave your stationary vehicle on the road or its approaches.
If you do not comply with this obligation, you risk fine up to €750. In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €135.
At night, or during the day when visibility is poor
When riding a motorcycle at nightor day when visibility is insufficient, you and your passenger must wear the high visibility vest out of agglomeration.
If you do not comply with this obligation, you risk fine up to €150.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €35.
You can test your equipment's safety level online:
Motorcycle: test your equipment (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes..)
Some equipment and clothing are not mandatory, but adapted to riding a motorcycle: jacket, airbag vest, pants, high shoes.
You can test your equipment's safety level online:
Motorcycle: test your equipment (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes..)
Your motorcycle must be equipped minimum of traffic lights, crossing, position back and front flashing, lamps stop and a fire rear registration plate.
The lights shall be in good working order.
If you drive your motorcycle without complying with these obligations, you risk a fine of up to €450.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €68. The fixed asset and impound of the vehicle may be ordered.
FYI
one moped may be equipped with flashers but this is not mandatory. Road lights are not for mopeds. Front position lights do not apply to 2-wheel mopeds.
Your motorcycle must have 1 number plate, clearly arranged at the back.
Your motorcycle must be equipped with a lock device.
Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by fines up to €450.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €68.
Your bike must be equipped with an audible warning device (horn) approved.
Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by fines up to €450.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €68.
Your motorcycle must be equipped with a approved exhaust who reduced the polluting emissions and noise.
Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by fines up to €750.
In general, this is a flat-rate fine of €135.
The fixed asset and impound of the vehicle may be ordered.
Motorcycle: test your equipment (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes..)
- Route Code: Item L431-1Immobilisation and impounding in case of driving without the required equipment
- Route Code: sections R313-1 to R313-32-1Vehicle lighting and signalling
- Route Code: Articles R314-1 to D314-8Tyres
- Route Code: sections R316-1 to R316-10Manoeuvring, steering and visibility controls
- Route Code: sections R416-17 to R416-20Pre-warning triangle, high visibility vest
- Route Code: sections R431-1 to R431-12Headphones and gloves
- High Visibility Vest Order, September 29, 2008
FAQ
- Motorcycle licence: A1 or 125 (light motorcycle)Service-Public.fr
- Motorcycle licence: A2 (intermediate power motorcycle)Service-Public.fr
- Registration platesService-Public.fr
- Crit’Air Thumbnail or Tablet (Air Quality Certificate)Service-Public.fr
- Motorcyclist: mandatory equipmentMinistry of the Interior