European Scooter Laws

Hymerbell

Hymerbell

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Since 2002 plus 20 years in a tent
Hi...am about to purchase a 125cc scooter which I can ride legally with L plates but not two up....question is can I ride it two up in Europe with a passenger or is it different for each country...from what I’ve seen you seem to be able to ride 3 up in places like Greece...what about France, Spain,Italy etc. Obviously I could take my motorcycle rest but would rather leave that to later as dying to get away on a trip ?
 
With Coronavirus prevelant in Europe be careful what you wish for as in your last statement :eek:
As far as scooters go I have a 110 cc Honda vision and used it all around Europe with no problem
But I do have a full bike license and obviously insurance but have never had any hassle so far,
 
No idea about 'over there' as I only ride solo but check your insurance cover. Many policies will exclude carrying a pillion anywhere, especially since you are on 'L' plates.
 
I’ve got the same dilemma... ebikes or a scooter, although I do have a full motorcycle licence.
Thing is, a scooter is half the price of 2 ebikes, and probably worth more money if you want to sell them, but it’s also heavier. Don’t need to find somewhere to plug in the scooter to charge it, which could be a problem for the bikes on french Aires.
May also cost more to insure 2 ebikes against theft than it would to insure a scooter
Pros and cons for both really.
 
Talking to Brit who had a 3 wheel (front) scooter, he said you can ride it (2 up) on a car licence, something about the distance between the 2 front wheels means you do not not need a bike licence. I personally have not checked this
 
Certainly in Italy you will not be legal. You are required to carry your insurance here so with a provisional licence and a passenger you wont be insured.
I would have thought it would be the same elsewhere.
 
I wonder how many countries have different laws on mopeds i seem to recall in France theres a very low age limit and no licence. I always fancied trundling along on one of those French things with the engine that sits on the front wheel (I think a velocette)

Sorry to the bikers velosolex!!!

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frogijock said:
Talking to Brit who had a 3 wheel (front) scooter, he said you can ride it (2 up) on a car licence, something about the distance between the 2 front wheels means you do not not need a bike licence. I personally have not checked this
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That's quite true. It's the Piaggio MP3 and Fuoco 3 wheelers. They are very heavy to move about. My son has one which he trailers all around Europe. His wife won't ride pillion on his Kawasaki.
CIMG0020.JPG


Trailer 2.jpg


You can get more compact trailers.......here's a 3 wheeler on one that I saw in France

2016-05-06 France May 2016 003.JPG


2016-05-08 France May 2016 003.JPG
 
AFAIK you drive in Europe what you can in the UK. L Plates not allowed.

Those 3 wheelers appear to your answer as far as licences go.
 
Without knowing factually, I am as certain as certain can be that you would be riding illegally with a pillion and no L plates, therefore riding without insurance, not accordance with licence etc. Similar laws in all EU countries.
If you were to do it the chances of being stopped are minimal. I ve been stopped once in 4 years on a scooter "out there". I was doing 70MPH with wife down a hill, farting, with the wind behind us and unfortunately overtook an unmarked gendarme near Mont st Michel. They were only interested in seeing what i had adjusted as they thought the suzuki address was a 50 cc. Luckily convinced them in french it was 110. I also didnt have my V5 and insurance on me. I now carry a photo of them on my phone. Hopefully this will suffice if i am stopped again.

Getting your licence isnt as bad as you think, quite easy but there is a cost. Worth it in the long run, especially if you can afford the weight on the van and far better than e bikes (imho) and easier and quicker to put into a garage than 2 bikes onto the back. We have gone out for 100 mile journeys for the day on ours, up mountains and balcony roads, easy parking. Double top box required for picnic stuff, easy to get into the major towns if you want.
 
I was intrigued with the Piaggio so just looked up the price. £7,800 for a new basic one. Wow.
Suzuki address 110 just over £2K
 
Hymerbell said:
Hi...am about to purchase a 125cc scooter which I can ride legally with L plates but not two up....question is can I ride it two up in Europe with a passenger
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Simple answer is no for both pillion and yourself! You need the full licence for the class of bike you are riding, no if's or but's if you want to ride legally. CBT is meaningless outside of the UK Both my wife and I have full licences, it's not to difficult and well worth doing. :giggle: , oh and we were both 60+ when we started to ride.

Mick

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Hymerbell said:
Hi...am about to purchase a 125cc scooter which I can ride legally with L plates but not two up....question is can I ride it two up in Europe with a passenger or is it different for each country...from what I’ve seen you seem to be able to ride 3 up in places like Greece...what about France, Spain,Italy etc. Obviously I could take my motorcycle rest but would rather leave that to later as dying to get away on a trip ?
Click to expand...
'L' plates do not exist here nor is it legal for a UK rider to use them . Here anyone with a spanish licence including foreigners who have exchanged can ride up to 125cc on their car licence but it is not legal on a foreign licence.
 
Spriddler said:
Get your full licence!
Electric bicycles are the precursor to a mobility scooter. ;)
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I will have you know that you are wrong :winky:
Two years ago I was on a mobility scooter from last year I am riding an electric bicycle.
There are those of us who have ridden mopeds, motorcycles, all types of bicycles and mobility scooters
Some unfortunately are not able to recover and ride any sort of two wheeled transport

I do agree that you NEED a full licence

AND for most foreign countries you need to have held it for 12 months as a foreigner otherwise you must obey all their road laws even if the locals don't
 
As I understand it only full licence, bike or car, holders can use the roads of Europe.
This of course only applies to foreigners.
 
Madcaravanner said:
I will have you know that you are wrong :winky:
Two years ago I was on a mobility scooter from last year I am riding an electric bicycle.
There are those of us who have ridden mopeds, motorcycles, all types of bicycles and mobility scooters
Some unfortunately are not able to recover and ride any sort of two wheeled transport
Click to expand...
As I appreciate. It was just a josh :giggle: I can't ride a bicycle at all since ten years ago I lost the use of my right arm and hand in a m/bike crash but still manage to tour with my two adapted m/bikes, car and m/home.
I can't ride a bicycle because with no tank to grip with my knees when braking my one arm braces on the left end of the 'bars which turn to the right and I fall off. Done that a few times when practising. :rolleyes:
 
frogijock said:
Talking to Brit who had a 3 wheel (front) scooter, he said you can ride it (2 up) on a car licence, something about the distance between the 2 front wheels means you do not not need a bike licence. I personally have not checked this
Click to expand...
It depends on the bike, spacing on the front wheels determines if you car drive it on a car licence, some you can some you can't.

You can't drive any vehicle in another country without a full licence.
 
Wheel centres need to be under 440mm. to ride on a car licence.

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Could be wrong but I believe a learner driving in the U.K. can carry a passenger as long as the passenger has a full bike license ?
 
I was always told I could ride a 125 in europe done my cbt anyway an had full car licence since 1985 aswell though
 

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