3Bs Biking - Biker Friendly B&B and Trail Riding Centre in France
Rules and Regulations for Motorcycling in France
How to stay safe and enjoy your motorbiking holiday
So you've booked your stay at 3Bs Biking and have planned your trip. You're excited to be riding in foreign lands.
But if you're a newbie to riding in France there are some laws and some slightly strange road rules that you should be aware of:
But if you're a newbie to riding in France there are some laws and some slightly strange road rules that you should be aware of:
Speed Limits
Some departments are refusing to spend money on changing their road signs, however the limit still applies! Clear as mud..... |
Speed Cameras

- There are fixed speed cameras but there is by law always a warning sign about 500m before it so keep your eyes peeled for those.
- Mobile units will often be positioned coming into towns and they can be in unmarked cars (sneaky!). Beware as theoretically the French police can get your details from DVLA and pursue you for any fixed camera fines once you’re back in Blighty.
- You are not allowed to use speed detection devices in France but most Sat Nav manufacturers are now wise to this and their alerts just show that there is a fixed speed camera in the vicinity – this is allowed.
Motorcycle kit
- It is a legal requirement to wear CE approved gloves on a motorcycle.
- It is also law that you must have reflective stickers on your helmet but no one knows anyone who has been nicked for not having this.
- The law concerning breathalysers remains but the fine for not having them has been removed (this was easier to do than repealing the law, they recognised it was a rubbish law) so don’t bother carrying them.
- You must by law carry a hi-viz vest and use it if you breakdown. Failure to carry one is an €11 fine but failure to use one when broken down by the side of the road can be €135. If you have a pillion, they also need to have one. Oh and they must be accessible when you're on the bike....bizarre!
- If you wear glasses to ride you must have a spare pair.
Requirements
- You must carry your original documents with you at all times on your bike. This includes your registration document (V5), your insurance and your driving licence.
- There is no MOT for bikes in France so French police are unlikely to ask for it but your bike must have a valid UK MOT.
- A word of warning about only taking copies of documents – if you get nicked, copies won’t suffice and you will have to return to the UK for originals, at your cost. Now that will put a real downer on your holiday.
- You must ride with your headlights on, even in daytime. Note: spare bulbs are not a requirement on a motorbike but if you have a failed light you won’t be able to continue without fixing it if you are stopped….could be troublesome???
- At a stop sign, you MUST stop and put at least one foot down but 2 to be on the safe side. The French police take great delight in nicking unsuspecting British bikers for this offence.
- And see below about GB stickers!
Recommendations
- European breakdown cover takes away a lot of worries.
- Don’t forget your EHIC card in case you fall ill or are injured.
- However we strongly recommend additional motorcycle travel specific insurance to cover the gap. The equivalent of the French health service only covers about 70% of the cost with your EHIC card, the rest is down to you if you don’t have additional insurance. And if you’re seriously injured, your EHIC won’t get you home!
Priorite a droite
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