Riding with children

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	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. Children between 7 and 14 years old can travel in a sidecar if held by an adult.
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.