French legislation states that a motorcycle helmet must have reflective stickers on the front, rear and sides. However, the European Commission assumes that this cannot apply retroactively to helmets already in use. Therefore, foreign motorcyclists who wear a helmet that does not bear these reflective marks cannot be required to retroactively bring their helmet into compliance. Only new types of helmets placed on the French market must comply with the new requirements and wear this reflective material. Of course, some motorcycle helmets are already equipped with reflective parts, but most are not. Apparently, the European Commission has stated that it cannot apply retroactively to helmets, but only to NEW helmets sold in France. So foreign drivers should be fine, but who knows what the gendarmes will look like after BREXIT. If you want to avoid any risk of a fine of 135 €, put the stickers. Since the summer of 2017, he is now against driving a motorcycle or scooter without CE-certified gloves.

This also applies to your ball passenger. If you`re planning to hop on your bike for a 5-minute ride around the corner, wear your gloves! If you are caught without, you and your passenger will refund 68 € each! “I`ve seen statistics from the French Federation of Angry Bikers who say that 0.7% of [motorcycle] accidents are caused by [mechanical] fault.” If you are planning a route across the France to ride a motorcycle in Italy, we have compiled some of the best routes for motorcycles and cars. French driving laws are the main topic of conversation for any motorist crossing the Channel. To experience the joys of driving on the continent without having to worry about being on the wrong side of the French police, Mark from Infinity Motorcycles has answered your frequently asked questions about French law and what it means to you. The legislation on reflective vests is drafted very unfavorable to motorcyclists and stipulates that the vest must be within reach of the rider and passenger from the seat of the motorcycle. So, theoretically, you can`t get off your motorcycle to take the vest. The best advice is to wear your Hi-Vis vest when driving in France or to put it in your tank bag. If you have a pillion passenger, you will also need a vest for them. It is easy to find motorcycle campsites in France and they are similar to campsites anywhere else in Europe.

Some are rustic and have very basic facilities, while others are designed for long-term visitors, offering entertainment, clubs, pools and bars! If you travel France in a motorhome and take your bikes on a trailer, you have no problem. The best time to visit the France by motorbike or other vehicle is when you have time to explore! Some people stop at the Channel Tunnel for a weekend getaway. Others need a month to explore a corner. Even the French police know that it can be difficult to put a GB sticker anywhere on a motorcycle, so this is rarely enforced. To save yourself the hassle, buy smaller ones if you have a place for them. Depending on the route, a trip from Calais to Biarritz costs about 58€ by motorbike. Here you can calculate the toll costs for your planned route. Some of our favorite places for motorcycle tours in the north of the France are: Speed limits are determined by location, vehicle and weather and apply to motorcycles as follows (unless otherwise stated!) To rent a motorbike in France, most places will expect from you: the best thing about planning a motorcycle tour is that you can literally go anywhere. But this freedom can also be a bit overwhelming – where do you start? Save yourself the trouble of finding out about speed limits and French driving laws before you go to the European tarmac. Stay vigilant and obey all speed limits during your visit.

If you travel by motorcycle in France, you should always bring: for motorcyclists and scooter riders, new laws have been in force for some time, which affect some important requirements when driving in France. What has changed? It is now mandatory to wear gloves when riding a bike or scooter. And they should also be CE certified. In practice, as long as they are obviously real motorcycle protective gloves, everything will be fine. It is not mandatory to have breakdown insurance while driving in Europe, but you take risks if you do not have it. You can never be sure that you can travel without problems. At Drive-France, we have a sister website called “EuropeanBreakdownCover 4U” that offers coverage for cars, motorcycles and even commercial vehicles. If possible, choose motorbike-friendly accommodation, preferably where you can get advice on routes, etc.

At this stage, no specific timetable has been given for any of these actions. To complicate matters further, some EU Member States already have requirements for regular roadworthiness tests for different categories of motorcycles. Of course, as it is, when a patchwork of local governments develops separate sets of laws while living side by side, they are all a little, well, different. If you love motorcycling in the UK or elsewhere, you`ll love motorcycle tours in France. There`s everything you could expect from a road trip, including fantastic beachfront campsites, vineyards and local markets full of wine, cheese and other treats, incredible history and plenty of places to explore. Take a list of what is required by law and check them off one by one when you receive the transfer. Do not drive until you are satisfied that you are following local laws. As a motorcyclist, you`ll be used to people going out without seeing you, but in France, they may have seen you, but ride under a very old system known as “Right Priority.” So read about it here and here – and note the signs, as people will exit back roads on the main carriageway without warning. These are the things you MUST have on a motorcycle trip in France. You can use a toll pass/telepass (like e-Movis), which is total pain on a bike, PLUS you might be mistakenly charged like a car.

Even toll companies do not recommend them for motorcycles. We strongly recommend that you pay close attention to the safety of your motorcycle when traveling in France, as motorcycle theft occurs, as well as petty theft and pickpocketing. I know this is not always possible, but try not to leave your bike unattended in an unsecured area. Deciding what kind of vacation you want to have will make planning your motorcycle trip a lot easier. Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that the vehicle has the necessary safety equipment. On-site fines apply to you as the driver, not to the company. Check in advance with the company which kit they will provide with the vehicle and what you need to bring. If you`re traveling alone on a motorbike, remember that you`ll need to carry everything yourself, including any motorcycle camping gear. We understand – and sometimes even the French police – that it is very difficult to put a British sticker anywhere on a motorcycle, unless you have a bag, boxes or luggage racks to attach them. There is a law that states that all motorcycle helmets in France must have reflective stickers on the sides and back. On our first lap of France, we ruined our helmets by putting big stickers everywhere.

In February 2021, it was reported that the European Parliament was pushing for regular inspections of motorcyclists to be made mandatory in all EU member states. Although the legislation was not clearly defined then and is not much more so today, the European Parliament`s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) absolutely wanted powered two-wheelers and three of all cylinders to be included in the proposed regulation. However, before taking a direct approach, it also wanted to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of motorcycles and mopeds under 125 cc, as such a requirement might be more inconvenient than valid. If you`re travelling from the UK to the France on your motorbike or motorhome, there are several ways to get there – ferry or Eurotunnel. Be sure to bring a motorcycle camera or helmet camera – the scenery is spectacular. It is estimated that the contracted techniques for the motorcycles will cost owners 50 to 70 euros, although the exact figure is not yet known.