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I recently came across this website which shows (some of) the local traffic regulations in EU countries, thought it might be useful for our (European) members, unfortunately this doesn't include all the motorcycle laws So I'll try to list them here.....
Austria:
You have to carry an extra set of glasses if you wear them.Source
You have to carry a first aid set.Source
The normal daytime maximum speed limit is reduced from 130Km/h to 100Km/h between 0100 and 0500 hours.. Except on the A1 between Salzburg and Vienna and the A2 from Vienna to Villach.Source
Children under 12 years old are not allowed on the back of a bike. Source
Belgium:
Safety clothing mandatory (jacket, trousers, gloves, boots (which protect the ankles), Source
Filtering allowed by law. Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden Source
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown), Source
Bulgaria
Requirement for rider and duo to wear a safety vest in the case of breakdown or accident. Penalty for violation: € 50.Source
Croatia
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Offense is not punishable (yet).Source
France:
Stickers on Helmet mandatory Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden Source
Retrofitted Xenon lights must be type approved (recommended by manufacturer). Source
Clothes must include at least 150 cm2 of reflective material. Source
In bad weather or at night reflective clothing is required. Source
riders who have their license for less than 2 years can ride a maximum of 100km/h. Source
Personal breathalyzer required, not punishable (as yet)
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown) (from January 2016). Source
Germany:
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden . Source
Retrofitted Xenon lights must be automatically height adjusted and C approved.Source
C standard exhaust with (permanantly) fitted baffles (DB Killers). The German police are keen on noise pollution. Source
Some roads shut to motorbikes on the weekend. Source
Winter tyres (even for motorbikes) compulsary in the winter. Source
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown) (from July 2014) Source
Hungary
Vest required when getting off your motorbike in the case of a breakdown or accident outside urban areas. Penalty for violation: from € 50 Source
Italy:
Motorbikes of less than 150cc are not allowed on the motorway. Source
Luxembourg
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Penalty for violation: from € 50. Source
Montenegro
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Offense is not punishable (yet). Source
Netherlands (The)
Filtering allowed by law. Source
Speed limit on motorways are 130Km/h unless indicated otherwise. Matrix boards show where you can use the hard shoulder as a seperate lane, generally it will also indicate a reduced speed as well.
Be carefull around some larger vehicles like lorries and busses as some have a different maximum speed on motorways and autoways (similar to dual carriageways but not Always with 4 lanes). Source
On motorways Some speed limits are shown with the added tekst showing times, for example 0600-1900, this means that outside these times the general 130Km/h speed limit applies. Here's an example
Norway
:Motorway speeds for all vehicles are 90Km/h unless otherwise indicated. Source
Obligation to have a safety vest on board only applies to motorbikes with a Norwegian license plate. Offense is not punishable (yet). Source
Portugal:
If you have your license for less than a year then you are only allowed to ride a maximum of 90Km/H.Source
There is a traffic sign which forbids motorcycles to overtake, this is shown with a black car with a red motorbike next to it.Source
Slovakia
Safety Vest required when getting off your bike in case of a breakdown or accident outside urban areas. Penalty for violation: from € 50 Source
Spain
Wearing headphones, on/in a motorvehicle is not allowed. Source
Operating GPS apparatus whilst driving/riding is forbidden (you are allowed to use it but just not operate it)Source
Motorbikes can use the VAO (Vehículos con alta occupación’ (carpool)) lanes Source
Switzerland:
Spare pair of glasses.Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden.Source
United kingdom:
Ride on the left hand side .
Other rules/countries ???????
Austria:
You have to carry an extra set of glasses if you wear them.Source
You have to carry a first aid set.Source
The normal daytime maximum speed limit is reduced from 130Km/h to 100Km/h between 0100 and 0500 hours.. Except on the A1 between Salzburg and Vienna and the A2 from Vienna to Villach.Source
Children under 12 years old are not allowed on the back of a bike. Source
Belgium:
Safety clothing mandatory (jacket, trousers, gloves, boots (which protect the ankles), Source
Filtering allowed by law. Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden Source
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown), Source
Bulgaria
Requirement for rider and duo to wear a safety vest in the case of breakdown or accident. Penalty for violation: € 50.Source
Croatia
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Offense is not punishable (yet).Source
France:
Stickers on Helmet mandatory Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden Source
Retrofitted Xenon lights must be type approved (recommended by manufacturer). Source
Clothes must include at least 150 cm2 of reflective material. Source
In bad weather or at night reflective clothing is required. Source
riders who have their license for less than 2 years can ride a maximum of 100km/h. Source
Personal breathalyzer required, not punishable (as yet)
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown) (from January 2016). Source
Germany:
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden . Source
Retrofitted Xenon lights must be automatically height adjusted and C approved.Source
C standard exhaust with (permanantly) fitted baffles (DB Killers). The German police are keen on noise pollution. Source
Some roads shut to motorbikes on the weekend. Source
Winter tyres (even for motorbikes) compulsary in the winter. Source
Safety (dayglo) vest with you (doesn't have to be worn but is incase of accident or breakdown) (from July 2014) Source
Hungary
Vest required when getting off your motorbike in the case of a breakdown or accident outside urban areas. Penalty for violation: from € 50 Source
Italy:
Motorbikes of less than 150cc are not allowed on the motorway. Source
Luxembourg
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Penalty for violation: from € 50. Source
Montenegro
Obligation to wear safety vest in the case of a breakdown or accident outside an urban area. Offense is not punishable (yet). Source
Netherlands (The)
Filtering allowed by law. Source
Speed limit on motorways are 130Km/h unless indicated otherwise. Matrix boards show where you can use the hard shoulder as a seperate lane, generally it will also indicate a reduced speed as well.
Be carefull around some larger vehicles like lorries and busses as some have a different maximum speed on motorways and autoways (similar to dual carriageways but not Always with 4 lanes). Source
On motorways Some speed limits are shown with the added tekst showing times, for example 0600-1900, this means that outside these times the general 130Km/h speed limit applies. Here's an example
Norway
:Motorway speeds for all vehicles are 90Km/h unless otherwise indicated. Source
Obligation to have a safety vest on board only applies to motorbikes with a Norwegian license plate. Offense is not punishable (yet). Source
Portugal:
If you have your license for less than a year then you are only allowed to ride a maximum of 90Km/H.Source
There is a traffic sign which forbids motorcycles to overtake, this is shown with a black car with a red motorbike next to it.Source
Slovakia
Safety Vest required when getting off your bike in case of a breakdown or accident outside urban areas. Penalty for violation: from € 50 Source
Spain
Wearing headphones, on/in a motorvehicle is not allowed. Source
Operating GPS apparatus whilst driving/riding is forbidden (you are allowed to use it but just not operate it)Source
Motorbikes can use the VAO (Vehículos con alta occupación’ (carpool)) lanes Source
Switzerland:
Spare pair of glasses.Source
Speed camera GPS waypoints forbidden.Source
United kingdom:
Ride on the left hand side .
Other rules/countries ???????
Last edited: