Compulsory equipment for driving a motorcycle

Verified 05 October 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Helmet, gloves, vest, lighting, license plates... What does the highway code say about mandatory motorcycle equipment? Can you have a fine if you don't have a mandatory accessory? This page tells you the rules to know about the mandatory equipment to drive in France with a motorized two or three-wheel (motorcycle, scooter...) or a motor quadricycle (quad).

Infographie - Compulsory motorcycle and scooter equipment and penalties in case of absence
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Mandatory accessories for motorcycles and scooters and penalties for absence

Helmet. The wearing of helmets is mandatory for the driver and the passenger. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a 3-point withdrawal of the license and a fine of up to €750.

High visibility vest. When driving a 2- or 3-wheel motor or a non-bodywork motor quadricycle, you must have a high-visibility vest on you or in a storage unit of your vehicle. Following an emergency stop, you must wear a high-visibility vest if you are required to leave your vehicle immobilized on the road or its surroundings. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €750.

Gloves. Gloves must be worn by the driver and the passenger. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €450. The driver also risks the removal of a point on his driving license.

Functional lighting. All 2 or 3 motorized wheels or power-driven quadricycles shall be equipped with lights that are operable at night or when visibility is insufficient. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €450.

Compulsory motorcycle and scooter equipment and penalties in case of absence

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Compulsory motorcycle and scooter equipment and penalties in case of absence - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
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Mandatory accessories for motorcycles and scooters and penalties for absence

Helmet. The wearing of helmets is mandatory for the driver and the passenger. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a 3-point withdrawal of the license and a fine of up to €750.

High visibility vest. When driving a 2- or 3-wheel motor or a non-bodywork motor quadricycle, you must have a high-visibility vest on you or in a storage unit of your vehicle. Following an emergency stop, you must wear a high-visibility vest if you are required to leave your vehicle immobilized on the road or its surroundings. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €750.

Gloves. Gloves must be worn by the driver and the passenger. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €450. The driver also risks the removal of a point on his driving license.

Functional lighting. All 2 or 3 motorized wheels or power-driven quadricycles shall be equipped with lights that are operable at night or when visibility is insufficient. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to €450.

You must wear a helmet to travel by motorbike, and your passenger.

The helmet must be approved, in accordance with the European standard. One white label attest to type of ECE approval (the green label is not likely to appear).

The helmet must be attaché.

If you drive your motorcycle without complying with these obligations, you risk a withdrawal of 3 points from your license and one fine up to €750.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €135.

The immobilization and the impoundment 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 the safety level of your equipment online:

Riding a motorcycle: test your equipment level (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, pants, shoes...)

Reminder

driving with a hand telephone or by wearing a audio device is prohibited (traffic offense punishable by a withdrawal of 3 points from the license and one fine flat-rate of €135). Only devices integrated into the motorcycle helmet are permitted.

You have to wear gloves to travel by motorbike, and your passenger.

Gloves should be CE certified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

You recognize them by their CE label.

If you drive your motorcycle without complying with these obligations, you risk a withdrawal of 1 point from your license and a fine of up to €450.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €68.

The immobilization and the impoundment 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 the safety level of your equipment online:

Riding a motorcycle: test your equipment level (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, pants, shoes...)

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General case

To ride a motorcycle, you must have a high visibility vest (jacket, parka, vest, shirt or chasuble) on you or in a storage of your vehicle.

The vest must be EC certified.

If you drive your motorcycle without complying with this obligation, you risk a fine up to €38. In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €11.

Following an emergency shutdown

As a result of emergency stop, you must put on your high-visibility vest if you are to leave your immobilized vehicle on the road or its surroundings.

If you do not comply with this obligation, you risk a fine up to €750. In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €135.

At night, or during the day when visibility is poor

When you ride a motorcycle at night, or day when visibility is insufficient, you and your passenger must wear the high-visibility vest out of built-up area.

If you do not comply with this obligation, you risk a fine up to €150.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €35.

You can test the safety level of your equipment online:

Riding a motorcycle: test your equipment level (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, pants, shoes...)

Some equipment and outfits are not obligatory, but are suitable for driving a motorcycle: jacket, airbag vest, trousers, upright shoes.

You can test the safety level of your equipment online:

Riding a motorcycle: test your equipment level (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, pants, shoes...)

Your motorcycle must be equipped at least of main-beam headlamps, of crossing, of position rear and front, from flashing lights, of lamps stop and a fire of rear registration plate.

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, it is a flat-rate fine of €68. The immobilization and the impoundment of the vehicle may be ordered.

FYI  

one moped can be equipped with flashing lights but it is not mandatory. Road lights do not apply to mopeds. Front position lamps do not apply to two-wheeled mopeds.

Your motorcycle must be equipped with a anti-theft device.

Failure to comply with this obligation shall be punished by a fine of up to €450.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €68.

Your motorcycle shall be equipped with an audible warning device (horn) approved.

Failure to comply with this obligation shall be punished by a fine of up to €450.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €68.

Your motorcycle must be equipped with a approved exhaust pipe who reduced the pollutant emissions and noise nuisance.

Failure to comply with this obligation shall be punished by a fine of up to €750.

In general, it is a flat-rate fine of €135.

The immobilization and the impoundment of the vehicle may be ordered.

Riding a motorcycle: test your equipment level (helmet, airbag vest, jacket, gloves, pants, shoes...)