Unapproved gear (quad, mini motorcycle, motocross ...): what are the rules (declaration, driving...)?

Verified 19 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

How and under what time limit to declare an unapproved vehicle, whose speed exceeds 25 km/h and is not authorized to travel on the public road (quad, mini motorcycle, moto cross, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike...)? Where can we drive? What equipment is required? We tell you the rules to know and how to make the steps on the site DICEM: titleContent.

Step-by-step approach

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

  • Gear unapproved, i.e not subject to EC type-approval. EC type-approval is an act certifying that a vehicle meets the technical standards required by the European Union for its entry into service. Without this type-approval (or approval), the vehicle does not meet the conditions for use on the public road.
  • Gear with speed may exceed by construction 25 kph
  • Unauthorized gear by the highway code to be used on public roads.

In practice, these include: quad bike, mini bike, moto cross, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike.

FYI  

Scooters and electric bikes, solex... are not to be declared in DICEM.

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You are 18 years of age or older

You can buy, rent and use an unapproved machine (quad, mini motorcycle, moto cross, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike...).

You're 15 to 17 years old

You can't buy an unapproved machine (quad, mini motorcycle, moto cross, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike...).

However, you can rent and use one.

You are 14 years old or younger

You cannot neither buy nor rent an unapproved machine (quad, mini motorcycle, moto cross, pocket bike, pit bike, dirt bike...).

However, you can use them one as part of motorcycle learning, training, competition and leisure activities organized by an approved sports association (examples: Fédération française de motocyclisme, Union française des oeuvres laïques d’éducation physique).

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You bought a new machine in France

The professional salesman must report immediately after sale.

You then need to confirm the acquisition of the device

for the declaration to be properly registered.

FYI  

You will have to declare all subsequent changes (theft, sale, change of address...) on the DICEM website or by post with the forms cerfa n°13853*04 or #16230*03.

You bought a new device online or abroad

Purchase of new equipment via the Internet or abroad, not approved with a speed exceeding 25 km/h and not intended for use on public roads duty be declared by the purchaser within 48 hours according to the date of its acquisition.

FYI  

You will have to declare all subsequent changes (theft, sale, change of address...) on the DICEM website or by post with the forms cerfa n°13853*04 or #16230*03.

You bought a second-hand machine

The used seller must declare the sale and the buyer must declare the purchase of the equipment in order to be recognized as the new owner.

To make the purchase declaration, you need the serial number of the machine and its identification number.

The declaration can be made online on the DICEM website. It shall allow for the immediate issue of a certificate of identification.

The second-hand purchase declaration can also be made by post by completing the form cerfa n°13853*04.

FYI  

You will also have to declare all subsequent changes (theft, change of color of the machine, change of address...) on DICEM or by post with the forms cerfa n°13853*04 or #16230*03.

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You bought a new machine in France

The professional salesman duty to make the declaration on your behalf, immediately after the sale, on the DICEM website (connection via FranceConnect).

Once the declaration has been made by the professional seller, you will receive a unique confirmation code electronically.

You will then have to confirm (or contest) this acquisition.

After confirmation, a secure declaration certificate with a unique identification number will be sent to you electronically. It will also be available on the DICEM website:

Declaration of an unapproved gear

If you are an individual making the declaration on your behalf, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of identity (not online)
  • Copy of proof of domicile (for a first declaration).

If you are a company or association with a SIRET number for any declaration, you will need a copy of a proof of identity from the legal representative.

If you are an association with an RNA number, for any declaration, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of legal representative’s identity
  • Copy of the statutes or any other documentary evidence of its legal existence, showing the name of the person responsible and the address of the body, as well as proof of the declaration in the prefecture or sub-prefecture or of recognition by an administration, a court or a professional body (including publication in the Official Journal of the French Republic).
  • Copy of proof of address.

FYI  

Confirmation of the declaration may be sent by post by the purchaser to the address indicated on the form cerfa no. 16242.

You bought a new device online or abroad

Purchase of new equipment via the Internet or abroad, not approved with a speed exceeding 25 km/h and not intended for use on public roads duty be declared by the purchaser within 48 hours according to the date of its acquisition.

Declaration of an unapproved gear

If you are an individual making the declaration on your behalf, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of identity (not online)
  • Copy of proof of domicile (for a first declaration).

If you are a company or association with a SIRET numberHowever, for any declaration, you will need a copy of a proof of identity from the legal representative.

If you are an association with an RNA number, for any declaration, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of legal representative’s identity
  • Copy of the statutes or any other documentary evidence of its legal existence, showing the name of the person responsible and the address of the body, as well as proof of the declaration in the prefecture or sub-prefecture or of recognition by an administration, a court or a professional body (including publication in the Official Journal of the French Republic)
  • Copy of proof of address.

You bought a second-hand machine

You have to make a declaration within 48 hours according to the date of purchase on the DICEM website (connection via FranceConnect).

To declare the purchase of a second-hand vehicle on DICEM, you must have its unique identification number and serial number:

Declaration of an unapproved gear

After the declaration has been made, a secure declaration certificate with a unique identification number will be sent to you electronically. It will also be available on the DICEM website.

If you are an individual making the declaration on your behalf, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of identity (not online)
  • Copy of proof of domicile (for a first declaration).

If you are a company or association with a SIRET number, for any declaration, you will need a copy of a proof of identity from the legal representative.

If you are an association with an RNA number, for any declaration, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of legal representative’s identity
  • Copy of the statutes or any other documentary evidence of its legal existence, showing the name of the person responsible and the address of the body, as well as proof of the declaration in the prefecture or sub-prefecture or of recognition by an administration, a court or a professional body (including publication in the Official Journal of the French Republic)
  • Copy of proof of domicile

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post to the address indicated on the form  cerfa no. 13853.

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

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

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You bought a new machine in France

The business seller must burn the number before handing it over to you.

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

You bought a new device online or abroad

You must have the identification number you received electronically engraved on the machine yourself.

You bought a second-hand machine

You must yourself have the identification number on your certificate received electronically engraved on the machine.

Please note

Circulating a DEMC gear without an identification number shall be sanctioned by a fine up to €750 and one possible impoundment of the machine.

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You're selling a new machine

After registering as a legal person on the DICEM website (connection via FranceConnect), you will have to declare the sale on behalf of the purchaser, upon sale:

Declaration of an unapproved gear

As a reminder, you must engrave the unique identification number on a fixed part of the machine, which cannot be changed, before it is handed over to the buyer.

You are selling a second-hand machine

You must make the declaration on your behalf, within 48 hours according to the date of sale, on the DICEM website (connection via FranceConnect):

Declaration of an unapproved gear

Once the declaration has been made you will receive a sales certificate electronically.

FYI  

To declare the sale of a machine, it is essential to have the buyer's details (surname, first name, e-mail address). You will need to provide the unique identification number of the gear being sold. This sales declaration may also be sent by post to the address indicated on the form  cerfa no. 13853.

The following modifications related to a gear previously declared on the DICEM site shall be declared within 48 hours  :

  • Change in civil status
  • Change of address
  • Modification of a legal person’s information
  • Changing the color of the gear
  • Declaration of flight of the craft
  • Declaration of destruction of the device.

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If you are an individual reporting on your behalf

You will need the following:

  • Copy of proof of identity (for the most recent change in marital status)
  • Copy of proof of address (for a declaration of new address).

If you are a company or association with a SIRET number

For any declaration, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of legal representative’s identity
  • Copy of proof of address (for a declaration of new address)

If you are an association with an RNA number

For any declaration, you will need the following documents:

  • Copy of proof of legal representative’s identity
  • Copy of the statutes or any other documentary evidence of its legal existence, showing the name of the person responsible and the address of the body, as well as proof of the declaration in the prefecture or sub-prefecture or of recognition by an administration, a court or a professional body (including publication in the Official Journal of the French Republic)
  • Copy of proof of address (for a declaration of new address).

If you want to report the theft of a device

You will need a copy of the complaint filed with the police or gendarmerie.

Once the declaration has been made and validated, a secure declaration certificate will be available on the DICEM website:

Declaration of an unapproved gear

FYI  

The declaration may also be sent by post to the address indicated on the forms cerfa no. 13853 (theft, destruction or alteration of the color of the craft) or cerfa no. 16230 (change in contact details or civil status or change in the information of a legal person).

When you buy or rent an unapproved equipment under DICEM (quad mini-moto, motocross, dirt bike, ...) you are given a copy of the charter indicating the rules to be respected.

He is forbidden to be operated with an unapproved equipment falling under the scope of DICEM on a road open to public traffic : road, path, track...

An unapproved gear falling within the scope of DICEM may not be used that 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 €1500.

The vehicle may be confiscated, immobilized, impounded, or even destroyed.

In fact, a machine without an identification number that is used for urban rodeo is considered abandoned as soon as it enters the impound and may be destroyed.

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.

The owner of an unapproved equipment falling under the scope of DICEM duty have one insurance against personal injury and damage to property which it might cause to others.

If you are considering renting or lending your gear, you should make sure the person is covered by your insurance or his.

Driver coverage is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Ministry of the Interior - National Office of Vehicle Registration

    On the DICEM website

    Go to site

    By mail

    Ministry of the Interior

    National Vehicle Registration Office

    Beauvau Square

    75800 Paris Cedex 08

FAQ