Quad bikes: the rules
To drive a road legal quad bike you must have it approved, registered, taxed and given an MOT if needed

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Quad bikes must be approved, registered, taxed and have an MOT (if needed) to be used on the road.
Most quad bikes cannot be used on the road because they do not meet road safety standards.
Check with the manufacturer if your quad bike has been approved for road use. If your quad bike has not been approved but meets road safety standards, you can apply for ‘type approval’.
Rules for riding quad bikesRegisteringYou must register your quad bike with DVLA and the bike must have front and rear number plates.
MOT certificatesQuad bikes used on the road need a valid MOT certificate if they are more than 3 years old.
Driving licenceTo drive a quad bike on the road you need to have a full car licence or a category B1 licence if it was issued before January 1997.
InsuranceYou must have third party insurance to drive a quad bike on the road.
PassengersA quad bike can only carry passengers if it is designed to do so and has the right number of seats. Check with the manufacturer if you’re not sure.
You can be fined up to £2,500 and get 3 penalty points if you have too many passengers or they’re not seated safely.
Crash helmetsQuad bike drivers and passengers in England, Scotland and Wales do not have to wear crash helmets, but it’s recommended.
You must wear a helmet if you’re driving a quad bike in Northern Ireland. You can be fined up to £500 if you do not.
Using a quad bike off-roadYou do not need a driving licence to ride a quad bike off-road.
You do not have to tax and register your quad bike if you’re only going to use it off-road. However, there is an ‘off-road register’ where you can record the details of your off-road quad bike, which could help the police find it if it’s stolen.
Agricultural quad bikesIf you’re using a quad bike for agriculture, horticulture and forestry work you need to register it as a light agricultural vehicle.
Using an agricultural quad bike on the roadAn agricultural quad bike used on the road does not need an MOT, but must be registered and licensed for road use and must have a number plate and third party insurance.
It will also need lights if it’s being used on the road after dark.
Vehicle taxYou do not have to pay vehicle tax on quad bikes used for agriculture, horticulture or forestry.
If you do have to pay tax, the class will depend on how you use your quad bike:
- limited use tax class for bikes used on the road
- agricultural machine class for bikes not licensed for road use
Quad bikes used as light agricultural vehicles should be made with only a driver’s seat. They are not allowed to carry passengers.
More informationContact the Department for Transport for more information about quad bikes.
International Vehicles and Standards Department for TransportZone 1/33Great Minster House33 Horseferry RoadLondonSW1P 4DR
International Vehicles and Standardsivs.enquiries@dft.gov.uk
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Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

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