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If you travel abroad on a motorcycle, you will be affected by laws and regulations that differ from country to country. And motorcycle rules may differ from rules for cars. So prepare for your foreign motorcycle trip and use the information below.

For specific rules on towing a trailer, click here.
For specific rules on children as passengers, click here.

For information about Low Emission Zones, click here.

For information about toll roads, click here.

Austria

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, non-urban roads: 100 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Children passengers have to be over twelve years old and must be able to reach the footrests and handles.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is required to have a first-aid kit with you.
  • Riding on motorways and several expressways requires an Autobahn vignette. At all motorway border crossings and most petrol stations in Austria there is a point of sale.
  • Some buslanes are open for motorcyclist’s in Vienna.
Belgium

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h (Flanders 70), urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0.5 g/l.
  • Children over the age of eight may travel on the back of the motorcycle.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • You must wear a safety vest when your bike breaks down on a motorway or on a road where stopping and parking are prohibited.
  • Motorcyclists (including passengers) must wear gloves, a long-sleeved jacket and long trousers (or a one-piece suit with long sleeves), and boots that protect the ankles.
  • In case of traffic congestion, drivers must form an emergency corridor (a clear lane which has to be formed by vehicle drivers on multi-lane carriageways). Motorcyclists can still filter, provided they give way to priority vehicles and always respect the speed limits, namely a maximum of 20km/h faster than the vehicles in the lane overtaken and without ever exceeding 50km/h.
Bulgaria

Maximum speeds for motorcycles: motorway: 100 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50km/h (for cars: 130/140, 90, 50)

  • Alcohol limit: 0,0 g/l.
  • It is required to have a first-aid kit with you.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • The minimum age for a child to be on the back is 12 years (unless they are in a special child seat).
Croatia

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h.

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
Cyprus

Maximum speeds: motorway: 100 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h (sometimes 65 or 30 km/h, depending on the density of the population).

  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight day and night.
  • Children passengers have to be over twelve years old.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.

Click here for the FEMA organization CMRC.

Czech Republic

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, expressways: 110 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,0 g/l.
  • Children passengers have to be over twelve years old.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is required to have a first-aid kit with you.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.

Click here for the FEMA organization UAMK

Denmark

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Roadside tests will be carried out during the motorcycle season. That will affect all motorcycles, including bikes from other countries.

“The Law of Insane Driving”: When driving faster than 200km/h – or more than 100% faster than the speed limit and if the actual speed is more than 100km/h the motorcycle is confiscated immediately and later sold at an police auction. This rule applies regardless of whether the driver owns, leases or borrows the motorcycle. These offences are also shown to be punished with imprisonment. The law applies to anybody driving a car or riding a motorcycle regardless of nationality. It is important to note that the proceeds/money from the sale of the vehicle is withheld by the authorities and placed in the Danish treasury. On average three vehicles are confiscated a day.

Click here for the FEMA organization DMC
Click here for the FEMA organization MCTC

Estonia

Maximum speeds: motorway: 90 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l.
  • It is forbidden to carry a child younger than twelve as a passenger.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
Finland

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h (100 in the winter), non-urban roads: 80 or 100 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h (30 or 40 km/h in some city centers).

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Riding on bus lanes is not allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed, maximum 100 km/h (trailer with suspension) or maximum 60 km/h (trailer without suspension).
  • Motorcycles have free parking areas in many cities, marked with signs. Generally motorcycle parking is not free.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l (BAC) or 0,22 mg/l alcohol in breath.
  • Children as passenger must be secured in a suitable seat, footrests and a approved helmet.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight or daytime running lights on in the daytime.

Click here for the FEMA organization MP69
Click here for the FEMA organization Smoto

France

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h (110 in rainy conditions), expressways: 110 km/h (100 in rainy conditions), non-urban roads 90 or 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 or 30 km/h.From 1 July 2018, speed limits on most secondary or non-urban roads have gone down from 90 to 80km/h unless posted otherwise.

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is generally not allowed. It is under trial in 21 departments, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h, and only between last and penultimate rows.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Children passengers under 5 years must use an approved seat with handles and footrests. Children over 5 years must reach the footrests. Well fitting CE certified helmet and gloves is mandatory.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
  • Riders and passengers are required to wear CE certified helmet and gloves.
  • Most french motorways are operated by private companies, with most featuring tolls that can be paid in cash or with a Mastercard or Visa card. You must verify the amount is well fitting the ‘5’ category, otherwise you must call an operator when being at the toll booth and before paying.
  • Vehicles driving in LEZ in bigger French cities need to have a ‘Crit’ Air’ sticker, which shows the vehicle emissions and if the vehicle is allowed to enter the city. For vehicles not registered in France, you can order the Crit’Air sticker here. You can check the concerned cities here
  • As a foreigner, you have to wear reflective stickers on your helmet, just like the French.

Click here for the FEMA organization FFMC

Germany

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h (recommended), non-urban roads: 100 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed, but the maximum speed (also on the highway!) is 60 km/h.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Children under the age of seven must use a special seat.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is recommended to have a safety jacket with you.
  • It is recommended to have a first aid kit with you.
  • It is compulsory for glasses or contact lens wearers to carry spare glasses.
  • In case of traffic congestion, drivers must form an emergency corridor (a clear lane which has to be formed by vehicle drivers on multi-lane carriageways).

Click here for the FEMA organization Biker Union
Click here for the FEMA organization BVDM
Click here for the FEMA organization Kuhle Wampe

Greece

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, expressways: 110 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l for motorcyclists, 0,5 g/l for car drivers.
  • It is required to have a first aid kit with you.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed for visitors.

Click here for the FEMA organization Motoe

Hungary

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, expressways: 110 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,0 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
  • As of 2009 lane filtering during traffic jam is allowed if the traffic columns are stationary.
  • Safety corridors must be set up during highway jams and motorcycles may use this with the same regulations as standard lane filtering.
  • First aid kits are mandatory.
  • Bus lanes can be used by motorcycles.
  • Motorcycles have free parking at all public parking spots (even if it is a paid parking zone) with the exception of garages or privately owned car parks
Iceland

Maximum speeds: asphalt roads: 90 km/h, gravel roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0.5g/l.
  • Children that are six years or younger need back support; children must be able to reach the footrests and wear a approved helmet.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.

Click here for the FEMA organization BLS

Ireland

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0.5g/l.
  • It’s illegal to carry or use radar detection equipment. If you have a navigation system that shows fixed speed cameras, you must deactivate this function.

Click here for the FEMA organization MAG Ireland

Italy

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h (in case of rain, snow or any other precipitation 110 km/h), non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed for foreigners.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Children older than five years may ride on the back of the motorcycle.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
Latvia

Maximum speeds: non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
Liechtenstein

Maximum speeds: non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h (there are no motorways)

  • Alcohol limit: 0,8 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • Children have to be able to reach the footrests, children under seven have to be in a suitable seat.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
Luxembourg

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Children twelve years and older may ride on the back of the bike.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
Malta

Maximum speeds: motorway: 80 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,8 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is not allowed.
Netherlands

Maximum speeds: motorway between 06.00h and 19.00h: 100 km/h, between 19.00h and 06.00h: 130 km/h, express ways 100 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • In case of traffic congestion, drivers must form an emergency corridor (a clear lane which has to be formed by vehicle drivers on multi-lane carriageways).
Norway

Maximum speeds: motorway: 100 km/h (some 110 km/h), non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

Click here for a flyer for motorcycle tourists in Norway.

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • When towing a trailer the speed limit is 80 km/h for a trailer with brakes or a brakeless trailer with a max. total weight up to 299 kg. If a brakeless trailer weighs 300 kg or more, the limit is 60 km/h.
  • Bikes are allowed in bus lanes (sidecars and trikes are not).
  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • All vehicles (incl motorcycles) must have a reflective safety vest within easy reach of the rider/driver, to be used e.g. in connection with traffic accidents.
  • Headlights are mandatory at all times. Change light to parking mode if you stop along the road.
  • Motorcycle helmets are compulsory.
  • Keep a minimum distance of 3 seconds to the vehicle in front of you. This rule is strictly enforced, especially on motorways.
  • Parking on priority roads is generally forbidden if the posted speed limit is 60 km/h or higher.

Click here for the FEMA organization NMCU

Poland

Maximum speeds: motorway: 140 km/h, non-urban roads: 100 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l.
  • With a child under seven years as a passenger the speed limit is 40 km/h.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
Portugal

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, expressway: 100 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a motor trailer is allowed at a maximum speed of 80/100 km/h.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Children older than seven years may ride on the back of the bike.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
Romania

Maximum speeds: motorways: 130 km/h, non-urban roads: 90/100 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,0 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is recommended to have a safety jacket with you.
Serbia

  • Motorcycles must carry a first-aid kit containing suitable wound dressings and in dustproof packaging.
  • A safety vest is not mandatory for motorcyclists.
  • It is mandatory to wear a helmet. Only helmets which conform to the ECE 22 standard are approved.
  • Motorcycles must have their headlight on even during the daytime.
  • Motorways in Serbia are generally subject to tolls.
  • Speed limits
    – Within built-up areas: 50 km/h
    – Outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
    – Dual carriageways (expressways): 100 km/h
    – Motorways (freeways): 120 km/h
  • Legal alcohol limit
    – 0.03% (30 mg/100 ml blood)
    – 0.00% (0 mg/100 ml blood) for riders of mopeds, motorcycles, motorized trikes/quads
Slovenia

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, expressway: 110 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Children twelve years and older may ride on the back of the bike.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
Slovakia

Maximum speeds: motorway: 130 km/h, expressway 110 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,0 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
  • It is compulsory to have a first aid kit with you.
  • Trikes and bikes with side cars must carry a warning triangle.
  • Motorcyclists (or their passengers) are not allowed to drink, eat or smoke while riding.
  • Children passengers must be at least twelve 12 years old.
  • The rider and passenger are required to wear a properly fitted helmet intended for motorcyclists.
Spain

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, express ways 100 km/h, non-urban roads: 90 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • It is compulsory to have a safety jacket with you.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed, but only during the day. The maximum speed is 10% lower than the normal maximum speed applicable to the towing vehicle (on the highway this is 108 km/h (120 km/h -10%)).
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l.
  • As of May 2022, radar detectors are illegal.
  • Children passengers must be at least twelve 12 years old, seven when riding with their parents. They have to wear a approved helmet.
Sweden

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, non-urban roads: 70 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,2 g/l.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed, maximum 80 km/h.
  • Children under seven years do not have to wear a approved helmet, but they have to wear head protection, like a bicycle helmet.
  • Motorcyclists are allowed to use some bus lanes in Stockholm.
  • Areas signed ‘Motorcycles’ are generally free to park motorcycles and mopeds with two wheels, but more and more municipalities are charging a fee for motorcycles. Every vehicle in the parking space must pay the fee. Read the sign carefully if fee has to be paid and how. The fee is often paid via an app.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • Trikes and bikes with side cars must carry a warning triangle.
  • Motorcycles are excluded from bridge tolls in Motala and Sundsvall. The only bridge fee that includes motorcycles is Öresundsbron Malmö-Copenhagen.
  • Motorcycles and mopeds are excluded from the congestion tax in Stockholm and Göteborg.

Click here for the FEMA organization SMC

Switzerland

Maximum speeds: motorway: 120 km/h, non-urban roads: 80 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is not allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,25 g/l.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
  • Children under seven have to be in a suitable seat.
  • It’s illegal to use radar detection equipment. If you have a navigation system that shows fixed speed cameras, you must deactivate this function.
  • For Swiss highways you must purchase a Autobahn vignette, available at the customs and at the service stations at the border.

Click here for the FEMA organization IG Motorrad

Turkey

Maximum speeds for motorcycles: motorway: 80 km/h, expressways: 80 km/h non-urban roads: 70 km/h, urban roads: 50 km/h (for cars: 120 km/h, 110 km/h, 90 km/h, 50 km/h)

  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Alcohol limit: 0,5 g/l (0,5 g/l when towing a trailer).
  • Children passengers have to be over twelve years old and must be able to reach the footrests.
  • It is compulsory to have your headlight on in the daytime.
United Kingdom

Maximum speeds: motorway and dual carriageways: 112 km/h, non-urban roads: 96 km/h, urban roads: 31/48 km/h

  • Alcohol limit: 0,8 g/l (0,5 g/l in Scotland).
  • Filtering through a traffic jam is allowed.
  • Towing a trailer is allowed.
  • Children may ride on the back of the bike, but must be able to reach the footrests.
  • Daytime running lights/headlights are not compulsory except when light conditions are poor.
  • A revised ‘Highway Code’ (the regulations for driving/riding on UK roads) introduced on January 29, 2022, increases driver/rider responsibility and liability for accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
  • Motorcycles are not subject to congestion charging in London.
  • Pre Euro3 motorcycles are subject to London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges (£12.50 per day). Outside London, all motorcycles are exempt from all Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges.

Click here for the FEMA organization MAG UK

This overview has been compiled with the utmost care; however, it is possible that inaccuracies occur. FEMA is in no way responsible for this. This overview has been compiled using various sources, such as: FEMA members, national tourism agencies, Wikipedia and the European Commission. Verifiable tips, corrections and/or additions to this overview are welcome at wimtaal@femamotorcycling.eu.

This page is subject to FEMA’s copyright

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