Motorcycling in Europe: speed limits, obligation to carry, helmet standards

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Motorcycling in Europe: speed limits, obligation to carry, helmet standards
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Motorcycling in Europe: speed limits, obligation to carry a motorcycle, helmet standards

Motorcycling in Europe
Speed ​​limits, mandatory gloves and helmet standards

What is the speed limit? If I have to bring bandages and a safety vest with me, my helmet complies with the regulations? We have listed for you all the answers that can be important for motorcyclists on the road in Europe.


Dina Dervisevic

02/18/2020

Extra speed limits for motorcycles in Europe? Yes, it is available in seven countries on the European continent: Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Belarus. The speeds for motorcycles are invariably lower than the maximum speeds for cars. Take Bulgaria as an example: Motorbikes are subject to a speed limit of 100 km / h on motorways, while cars are allowed to drive 130 km / h. All speed limits at a glance – also for motorhomes and trailers – can be found in the table at the bottom. Who is over Would like to inform you about tolls and vignette requirements for motorcycles in Europe, you will find it here.

Bandages: In Albania, Montenegro, Austria, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary, the motorcyclist must have bandages on board, in Latvia only if the motorcycle has a sidecar.

Safety vest must be carried: France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Hungary.

Warning vest compulsory: In Belgium, Bosnia / Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic and Hungary you have to wear a safety vest if you get off your motorcycle because of a breakdown or an accident. In Finland, passengers are also required to carry them. However, there is no obligation to carry it.

Warning triangle: In Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine and Malta, a warning triangle is mandatory for all motorcyclists. In Hungary it has to be on board a motorcycle with a sidecar.

Replacement lamps: In France and Croatia, replacement bulbs must be carried if the motorcycle does not have xenon or LED lights.

Green insurance card: It is compulsory in Albania, Bosnia / Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro (validity for Montenegro must be listed on the card), Romania and Ukraine.
In Armenia, in spite of the international liability insurance protection, the conclusion of an additional insurance valid for Armenia can be required.

Glove compulsory: In France, gloves are compulsory for motorcyclists and passengers. The gloves must comply with a CE standard and contain a CE mark.

Safety clothing: In Belgium, in addition to a helmet, motorcyclists must also wear gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers or overalls and boots or ankle boots that reach over the ankles. And in France, reflectors on helmets are mandatory. In most cases, a violation of the regulation by foreigners is not punished, but tolerated.

Motorcycle helmet of the ECE-22 standard

In many countries, a helmet that complies with the ECE 22 standard is compulsory for motorcyclists. This is a constantly updated test standard that defines uniform standards for protective helmets with regard to the resilience of the chinstrap, durability and shock absorption. You can usually tell whether your helmet meets this requirement by looking into the lining or by the chin strap: if you have a circled one “E.” see and next to it a check number with the digits “05” begins, then your helmet meets this standard.


Motorcycling in Europe: speed limits, obligation to carry, helmet standards


Thorsten Dentges

If you see a circled “E” and a test number that starts with “05”, then your helmet meets the required standard. The label can usually be found on the chinstrap or on the lining.

In the following countries you have to wear a helmet that meets the ECE-22 standard: Albania, Belgium, Bosnia / Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands , Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. According to the ifz (Institute for Bicycle Safety), the following applies to Germany: “The helmet must have been specially made for motorcycling. The design must take sufficient account of the special forces and accelerations that act on the motorcyclist’s head during a fall. In case of doubt, it must be clarified in each individual case whether there is actually an adequate protective effect. It is therefore recommended to wear a safety helmet that has been built, tested and approved in accordance with ECE regulation No. 22”

Tip for the table: for more information, please click the mouse in the 2nd column and drag the mouse to the left. This is how you can see the content that is located further to the right in the table.

Speed ​​limits in Europe

country Out of town Highway particularities
Germany 100 km / h Carriages up to 3.5 t and mobile homes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside towns, 100 km / h on motorways
Albania 80 – 90 km / h 110 km / h Carriages, vehicles up to 5 t 70 km / h outside urban areas and 80 km / h on motorways
Andorra 90 km / h There is no motorway.
Belgium 90 km / h 120 km / h In the Walloon Region, 70 km / h applies outside of urban areas.
Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on motorways
Bosnia Herzegovina 80 km / h 130 km / h Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Bulgaria 80 km / h for motorcycles,
90 km / h for cars
100 km / h for motorcycles
130 km / h for cars
Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town and 100 km / h on motorways
Denmark 80 km / h 130 km / h Carriages, mobile homes from 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Estonia 90 km / h 110 km / h on expressways. There are no motorways in Estonia. Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town and 90 km / h on expressways
Finland 120 km / h Lower maximum speeds may apply in winter.
Cars with trailers and mobile homes: generally 80 km / h
France 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on expressways and motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
in case of precipitation and for new drivers (< 3 years): 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
Greece 70 km / h for motorcycles
90/110 km / h for cars
90 km / h for motorcycles
130 for cars
Motorhomes over 3.5 t and all combinations: generally 80 km / h
Great Britain 60 mph (96 km / h) 70 mph (112 km / h) Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 50 mph (80 km / h) outside urban areas and 60 mph (96 km / h) on expressways, 70 mph (112 km / h) on motorways.
Cars with trailers: 50 mph (80 km / h) outside urban areas and 60 mph (96 km / h) on expressways and motorways.
Left-hand traffic applies.
Ireland 80 – 100 km / h 120 km / h (except M 50, 100 km / h apply here) Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Left-hand traffic applies.
Iceland unpaved: 80 km / h
paved: 90 km / h
There is no motorway. Team: generally 80 km / h
Italy 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h)
in rain or snowfall: 110 km / h on motorways
Motorcycles up to 140 cm³ and motorcycles with sidecars up to 249 cm³ are not allowed on the expressway or motorway.
Team: 80 km / h on motorways, otherwise 70 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 100 km / h on motorways, otherwise 80 km / h
Kosovo 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Croatia 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages, motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside and on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Latvia 90 km / h Expressway: 90 km / h
There is no motorway.
Carriages and vehicles over 7.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways
Liechtenstein 80 km / h Expressway: 100 km / h
There is no motorway.
Team: generally 80 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on expressways
Lithuania 90 km / h 110 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) for motorcyclists
130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) for cars
From November to March: 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
Team: generally 90 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on motorways, 80 km / h on the east
Driver license novices (< 2 years) has: max. 90 km / h on motorways and expressways, max. 70 km / h on country roads.
Luxembourg 90 km / h 130 km / h (110 km / h when wet) Carriages, motorhomes over 3.5 t: 75 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways (75 km / h for carriages when wet)
Malta 80 km / h There is no motorway. Left-hand traffic applies.
Moldova 90 km / h Expressway: 110 km / h
There is no motorway.
Anyone who has had their driver’s license for less than two years may drive a maximum of 70 km / h.
Team: generally 90 km / h
Monaco 50 km / h throughout the principality
Montenegro 80 km / h Expressway: 100 km / h
There is no motorway.
Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Netherlands 80 km / h 130 km / h (from March 2020 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. only max. 100 km / h) Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Combination up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways and motorways
North Macedonia 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team, all mobile homes: generally 80 km / h
Norway 80 km / h 90 – 100 km / h Motorbike with trailer, team, mobile home over 3.5 t: 80 km / h
If the current total weight of the trailer is more than 300 kg: 60 km / h
Austria 100 km / h 130 km / h Cars with trailers up to 750 kg: 100 km / h
Vehicles with trailers up to 3.5 t: 80/100 km / h
Total weight of the combination over 3.5 t: 70/80 km / h
Poland 90 km / h 140 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town, 80 km / h on motorways
Portugal 90/100 km / h 120 km / h Team: 70/80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80/90 km / h outside urban areas, 110 km / h on motorways
Romania 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages and mobile homes up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways, 120 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 110 km / h on motorways
For new drivers (< 1 year) the following applies: outside urban areas, the maximum speed is reduced by 20 km / h
Russia 90 km / h 90 km / h for motorcycles
110 km / h for cars
Carriages up to 3.5 t, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town, 90 km / h on motorways
San Marino The Italian traffic regulations apply.
Sweden 60 – 100 km / h 90 – 120 km / h Combination: 80 km / h (if the trailer is unbraked and the empty weight exceeds half the empty weight of the towing vehicle: max. 40 km / h)
Switzerland 80 km / h 120 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Team: generally 80 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on expressways and motorways
Serbia 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Team, caravans over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Slovakia 90 km / h 130 km / h Combination up to 3.5 t: generally 90 km / h
Carriages and motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways
Slovenia 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Combination up to 3.5 t: 90 km / h out of town, 100 km / h on expressways and motorways
Carriages and mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Spain 90 km / h 120 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Combination (trailers up to 750 kg): 70 km / h outside urban areas, 80 km / h on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Carriages (trailers over 750 kg): 70 km / h out of town, 80 km / h on expressways and motorways
Motorhomes up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways, 100 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 80 km / h on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Czech Republic 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team, mobile home over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Turkey 70 km / h for motorcycles
90 km / h for cars
80 km / h for motorcycles
120 km / h for cars
Team: 80 km / h out of town, 110 km / h on motorways (70 km / h or 80 km / h if the towing vehicle is a mobile home or minibus)
Motorhome, minibus: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways
Ukraine 80 km / h for motorcycles
90 km / h for cars
80 km / h for motorcycles
130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) for cars
For new drivers (< 2 years) the following applies: never faster than 70 km / h
Hungary 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h outside towns and on expressways, 80 km / h on motorways
Belarus 90 km / h 90 km / h for motorcycles
110 km / h for cars
Vehicles over 3.5 t: generally 70 km / h
Cyprus 80 km / h 100 km / h Team: 65 km / h
country Out of town Highway particularities
Germany 100 km / h Carriages up to 3.5 t and mobile homes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside towns, 100 km / h on motorways
Albania 80 – 90 km / h 110 km / h Carriages, vehicles up to 5 t 70 km / h outside urban areas and 80 km / h on motorways
Andorra 90 km / h There is no motorway.
Belgium 90 km / h 120 km / h In the Walloon Region, 70 km / h applies outside of urban areas.
Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on motorways
Bosnia Herzegovina 80 km / h 130 km / h Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Bulgaria 80 km / h for motorcycles,
90 km / h for cars
100 km / h for motorcycles
130 km / h for cars
Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town and 100 km / h on motorways
Denmark 80 km / h 130 km / h Carriages, mobile homes from 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Estonia 90 km / h 110 km / h on expressways. There are no motorways in Estonia. Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town and 90 km / h on expressways
Finland 120 km / h Lower maximum speeds may apply in winter.
Cars with trailers and mobile homes: generally 80 km / h
France 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on expressways and motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
in case of precipitation and for new drivers (< 3 years): 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
Greece 70 km / h for motorcycles
90/110 km / h for cars
90 km / h for motorcycles
130 for cars
Motorhomes over 3.5 t and all combinations: generally 80 km / h
Great Britain 60 mph (96 km / h) 70 mph (112 km / h) Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 50 mph (80 km / h) outside urban areas and 60 mph (96 km / h) on expressways, 70 mph (112 km / h) on motorways.
Cars with trailers: 50 mph (80 km / h) outside urban areas and 60 mph (96 km / h) on expressways and motorways.
Left-hand traffic applies.
Ireland 80 – 100 km / h 120 km / h (except M 50, 100 km / h apply here) Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Left-hand traffic applies.
Iceland unpaved: 80 km / h
paved: 90 km / h
There is no motorway. Team: generally 80 km / h
Italy 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h)
in rain or snowfall: 110 km / h on motorways
Motorcycles up to 140 cm³ and motorcycles with sidecars up to 249 cm³ are not allowed on the expressway or motorway.
Team: 80 km / h on motorways, otherwise 70 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 100 km / h on motorways, otherwise 80 km / h
Kosovo 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Croatia 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages, motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside and on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Latvia 90 km / h Expressway: 90 km / h
There is no motorway.
Carriages and vehicles over 7.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways
Liechtenstein 80 km / h Expressway: 100 km / h
There is no motorway.
Team: generally 80 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on expressways
Lithuania 90 km / h 110 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) for motorcyclists
130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) for cars
From November to March: 100 km / h on expressways, 110 km / h on motorways
Team: generally 90 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 90 km / h on motorways, 80 km / h on the east
Driver license novices (< 2 years) has: max. 90 km / h on motorways and expressways, max. 70 km / h on country roads.
Luxembourg 90 km / h 130 km / h (110 km / h when wet) Carriages, motorhomes over 3.5 t: 75 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways (75 km / h for carriages when wet)
Malta 80 km / h There is no motorway. Left-hand traffic applies.
Moldova 90 km / h Expressway: 110 km / h
There is no motorway.
Anyone who has had their driver’s license for less than two years may drive a maximum of 70 km / h.
Team: generally 90 km / h
Monaco 50 km / h throughout the principality
Montenegro 80 km / h Expressway: 100 km / h
There is no motorway.
Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Netherlands 80 km / h 130 km / h (from March 2020 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. only max. 100 km / h) Team, motorhome over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Combination up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways and motorways
North Macedonia 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team, all mobile homes: generally 80 km / h
Norway 80 km / h 90 – 100 km / h Motorbike with trailer, team, mobile home over 3.5 t: 80 km / h
If the current total weight of the trailer is more than 300 kg: 60 km / h
Austria 100 km / h 130 km / h Cars with trailers up to 750 kg: 100 km / h
Vehicles with trailers up to 3.5 t: 80/100 km / h
Total weight of the combination over 3.5 t: 70/80 km / h
Poland 90 km / h 140 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Carriages, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town, 80 km / h on motorways
Portugal 90/100 km / h 120 km / h Team: 70/80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80/90 km / h outside urban areas, 110 km / h on motorways
Romania 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages and mobile homes up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways, 120 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 110 km / h on motorways
For new drivers (< 1 year) the following applies: outside urban areas, the maximum speed is reduced by 20 km / h
Russia 90 km / h 90 km / h for motorcycles
110 km / h for cars
Carriages up to 3.5 t, mobile homes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h out of town, 90 km / h on motorways
San Marino The Italian traffic regulations apply.
Sweden 60 – 100 km / h 90 – 120 km / h Combination: 80 km / h (if the trailer is unbraked and the empty weight exceeds half the empty weight of the towing vehicle: max. 40 km / h)
Switzerland 80 km / h 120 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Team: generally 80 km / h
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 100 km / h on expressways and motorways
Serbia 80 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Team, caravans over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Slovakia 90 km / h 130 km / h Carriages up to 3.5 t: generally 90 km / h
Carriages and motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways
Slovenia 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Combination up to 3.5 t: 90 km / h out of town, 100 km / h on expressways and motorways
Carriages and mobile homes over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Spain 90 km / h 120 km / h (expressway: 100 km / h) Combination (trailers up to 750 kg): 70 km / h outside urban areas, 80 km / h on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Carriages (trailers over 750 kg): 70 km / h out of town, 80 km / h on expressways and motorways
Motorhomes up to 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on expressways, 100 km / h on motorways
Motorhomes over 3.5 t: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 80 km / h on expressways, 90 km / h on motorways
Czech Republic 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Team, mobile home over 3.5 t: generally 80 km / h
Turkey 70 km / h for motorcycles
90 km / h for cars
80 km / h for motorcycles
120 km / h for cars
Team: 80 km / h out of town, 110 km / h on motorways (70 km / h or 80 km / h if the towing vehicle is a mobile home or minibus)
Motorhome, minibus: 80 km / h outside urban areas, 90 km / h on motorways
Ukraine 80 km / h for motorcycles
90 km / h for cars
80 km / h for motorcycles
130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) for cars
For new drivers (< 2 years) the following applies: never faster than 70 km / h
Hungary 90 km / h 130 km / h (expressway: 110 km / h) Carriages, motorhomes over 3.5 t: 70 km / h outside towns and on expressways, 80 km / h on motorways
Belarus 90 km / h 90 km / h for motorcycles
110 km / h for cars
Vehicles over 3.5 t: generally 70 km / h
Cyprus 80 km / h 100 km / h Team: 65 km / h

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