Overland riding in Europe usually involves travelling in more than one country. Many places issue spot fines if you’re pulled over, and pleading ignorance rarely gets you off. Whether you’re riding a souped-up Suzuki or your prized Harley-Davidson, here’s a guide to the rules of the road in Europe.
General advice for all European countries
You must wear a crash helmet in Europe. Paperwork requirements vary from country to country, so go equipped to fulfil the strictest regulations and you’ll be covered everywhere. Take both parts of your full driving licence – the photocard and the paper part – your insurance certificate, vehicle registration documents and proof of identity (eg your passport).
Most countries require a GB sticker on the back of your bike and headlight beam conversion. Unless stated, speed limits are 130 kph on motorways, 90 kph on single carriageways and 50 kph in urban areas. You drive on the right in all of the countries listed here.
Riding in France
Dipped lights are required during the day. Horns can only be used in built-up areas if there is immediate danger. Radar detection equipment is illegal, even if it’s not turned on. Carry two NF-approved breathalysers.
Priority is generally to the right, unless the junction to the right has a white line across it. On roundabouts signs indicate who has priority. If they say “Vous n’avez pas la priorité” or “Cédez le passage”, traffic on the roundabout has priority.
You pay tolls on French motorways and the speed limit is 110 kph in bad weather (minimum speed 80 kph). On open roads the speed limit is 80-100 kph.
Rules for German roads
You must use your headlights during the day. It is OK to use a GPS with speed camera alerts, provided you deactivate them. Filtering and undertaking are illegal and it’s also illegal to overtake a school bus if it is slowing down or has stopped.
The speed limit on single carriageways is 100 kph.
Biking in Belgium
Priority is given to vehicles coming from the right, unless a junction is marked with a yellow diamond sign. Trams, and passengers getting on and off trams, also have priority. Headlights must be used in tunnels at all times.
If you’re involved in an accident you must stop to help anyone who is injured, and to prevent other drivers becoming involved. If anyone is injured or the road can’t be cleared you must call the police.
In built-up areas speed limits may be reduced to 30 kph, but this will be indicated. Speed limits are 70 kph in rural areas and 120 kph on motorways or dual carriageways with a central reservation.
The rules of the road in Luxembourg
You must be at least 18 to ride a motorbike and passengers must be at least 12. Headlights are required at all times. Priority is to the right and a red triangle sign with a black X sometimes indicates this.
In the rain, motorway speed limits are 110 kph in the rain.
Spanish road rules
Wear high-viz clothing and use headlights during the day. You are required to carry a replacement bulb kit (and the tools to fit them) and a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them.
You can’t use earpieces or headphones whilst riding. You can use a GPS system, but you must park before pressing any of the buttons. In built up areas and on roundabouts you give way to the left. Use your indicators before overtaking.
Speed limits are 120 kph on motorways. They vary on dual carriageways.
Riding in Italy
Wear high-viz clothing, carry a warning triangle and use headlights during the day. Only use your horn in built-up areas if the situation is dangerous, but sound it before overtaking. Radar detection equipment is illegal, even if it’s switched off.
You pay tolls to use Italian motorways and motorbikes less than 150cc are not allowed on motorways. Speed limits may lower in foggy or snowy conditions (“In caso de nebbia/neve”).
Watch out for no-drive zones in Italian cities. These are marked with a black and yellow ‘ZTL’ sign. You’ll be fined if you enter without a pass.