Compulsory equipment for driving a motorcycle

Verified 14 August 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

How should a rider equip himself (body, gloves...)? What does the highway code say about motorcycle equipment (lighting, brakes...)? We tell you the main rules to know about the mandatory equipment to circulate in France on motorcycles.

Infographie - Compulsory motorcycle equipment

Illustration X - Compulsory motorcycle equipment - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie — Illustration X
Crédits: Direction de l’information légale et administrative

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Mandatory accessories on motorcycles and scooters and penalties in case of 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 ride a 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.

You can test the safety level of your motorcycle equipment online:

Check the level of protection of a rider's equipment: jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes, helmet, airbag

Please note

Drive with a phone in your hand or by carrying an audio device to the ear is forbidden (road traffic offense punishable by a 3-point withdrawal of the license and a flat-rate fine 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 ride a 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.

You can test the safety level of your motorcycle equipment online:

Check the level of protection of a rider's equipment: jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes, helmet, airbag

The high visibility vest (yellow vest) is obligatory. Depending on the situation, you must wear it or have it in a storage of the motorcycle.

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 motorcycle equipment online:

Check the level of protection of a rider's equipment: jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes, helmet, airbag

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

You can test the safety level of your motorcycle equipment online:

Check the level of protection of a rider's equipment: jacket, gloves, trousers, shoes, helmet, airbag

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.