
Is it legal in every country to carry a child on the back of your motorcycle or in your sidecar? And if it is legal, what are the specific rules? FEMA gives you the facts.
FEMA is collecting as much information as possible to show you what the rules are in specific countries. If you have additional information that we can verify, please send it to info@fema-online.eu
Country | On motorcycle | In sidecar |
Austria | Minimum age: 12 years. The child must be able to reach the foot rests and handles. | Smaller children under 12: adequate, safely fixed child seat. Taller children under 12: seat belt. The walls of the sidecar must be so high that they protect the chest of the child. Two children possible. |
Belgium | All ages: approved helmet mandatory. Children under 3 years: not allowed. Children 3-8 years: max. 125 cc, in a special seat. | All ages: approved helmet. Children under 3 years: not allowed. Children 3-8 years: max. 125 cc, in a special seat. |
Croatia | Minimum age: 12 years. | No information available yet. |
Cyprus | Minimum age: 12 years, they must be seated in a seat intended for that purpose. | |
Czech Republic | Minimum age: 12 years, approved helmet mandatory. The child must be able to reach the foot rests. | No age limit, approved helmet. |
Denmark | Minimum age: 5 years. Children under 135 cm must sit in approved child seat. Approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit, must use child seat and certified safety belt for children under 5 years. Approved helmet. |
Estonia | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Finland | No age limit, max. 1 passenger. A suitable seat and footrests are required. Approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit, max. 2 passengers. Approved helmet mandatory. |
France | No age limit, max. 1 child, approved, well fitting helmet mandatory. Children under 5 years must use an approved seat with handles and foot rests. Children over 5 years must reach foot rests. Riders and passengers are required to wear CE certified gloves. | No age limit, max. 2 children. Approved, well fitting helmet. Must use safety belt if there is one. Riders and passengers are required to wear CE certified gloves. |
Germany | No age limit. Children under 7 years must use a special seat. Motorcycle helmet (not necessarily approved). | No age limit, motorcycle helmet. |
Greece | No age limit. A child under 5 years must use a suitable seat. Approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit. A child under 5 years must use a suitable seat. Approved helmet mandatory. |
Hungary | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Iceland | Children that are six years or younger need back support and they must be able to reach the foot pegs if they dont need back support. Approved helmet mandatory. | – |
Ireland | No age limit, approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit, no helmet required. |
Italy | Minimum age: 5 years. Approved helmet mandatory. Passenger must not interfere with the rider or the balance of the bike. | No age limit. |
Latvia | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Lithuania | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Luxemburg | Minimum age: 12 years. The child must reach the original footrest. Approved helmet mandatory. | Max. 2 children in the sidecar, no age limit. Approved helmet. |
Macedonia | Minimum age: 18 years. | Minimum age: 18 years. |
Malta | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Montenegro | Minimum age: 12 years (the fine is between 50 and 120 Euro). | Minimum age: 12 years (the fine is between 50 and 120 Euro). |
Netherlands | No age limit, approved, well fitting helmet mandatory. | No age limit, approved, well fitting helmet mandatory. |
Norway | No age limit, approved helmet mandatory. Child must sit on passenger seat, must not be strapped to the rider. Recommended that child is tall enough to reach the foot rests. | No age limit, approved helmet mandatory. Safety belt recommended. |
Poland | With children under 7 years the speed limit is 40 km/h | With children under 7 years the speed limit is 40 km/h |
Portugal | Minimum age: 7 years. | No specific rules. |
Romania | Minimum age: 14 years. Approved helmet mandatory. | Minimum age: 14 years. Approved helmet mandatory. |
Slovakia | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Slovenia | Minimum age: 12 years. | No information available yet. |
Spain | Minimum age: 12 years, 7 years if riding with parents. Approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit. Child below 150 cm must sit in a safely fixed chair. Child above 150 cm must use safety belt. Approved helmet. |
Sweden | Children shall use protective gear and it is on the rider’s responsibility that children over 7 and below 15 years use a helmet or another protection for the head. | Children shall use protective gear and it is on the rider’s responsibility that children over 7 and below 15 years use a helmet or another protection for the head. |
Switzerland | No information available yet. | No information available yet. |
Turkey | No age limit, approved helmet mandatory. Child must ride on the back seat with feet reaching the foot rests. | No age limit, approved helmet mandatory. |
United Kingdom | No age limit. Child must reach the foot pegs and sit astride the machine. The rider is legally responsible for passengers support. Approved helmet mandatory. | No age limit, special chair is recommended. |
The information presented here was thoroughly researched by FEMA, but FEMA will not accept any (legal) responsibility if this information is false or incomplete.
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