You are here
Home > Consumer information > Riding with children
Picture: www.motorcyclistonline.com
Picture: www.motorcyclistonline.com

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 us an email.

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: a helmet adapted to his/her size, sturdy gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, motorcycle pants or suit, boots or bottines that protect the ankles. Children under 3 years: not allowed. Children 3-8 years: max. 125 cc, in a special seat. All ages: a helmet adapted to his/her size, sturdy gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, motorcycle pants or suit, boots or bottines that protect the ankles.
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 Transportation of children under the age of 5 is not allowed. Children of five and above must wear a helmet and sit in a special child seat that ensures tet feet cannot enter the wheel and the child cannot fall off, even if it falls asleep. There must be a back support of min. 25 cm and footrests. The child is not allowed to be fastened with a belt or similar. In case of emergency the child is not allowed to be restraint to the seat. It is allowed for the child to sit in the regular passenger seafrom a minimum height of 135 cm. Regardless of age all children are allowed to be passengers in a sidecar, if they wear a seatbelt suited for the height and weight of the child. It is not required that children uses helmets when fastened in the sidecar.
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 age limit, children must be able to reach the foot pegs. 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: 12 years. Minimum age: 12 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. Children between 7 and 14 years old can travel in a sidecar if held by an adult.
Slovakia Minimum age: 12 years. Minimum age: 12 years.
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.

This page is subject to FEMA’s copyright

Top