Do I have to wear a helmet and special clothing on a motorbike or a moped?
In short
Yes. On a motorbike or a moped, both the rider and the passenger must wear a helmet. On a motorbike, gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers and boots that protect the ankles are also compulsory.
Video transcript
A hot summer's day. You're about to hop on your motorbike in a T-shirt, shorts and sandals for a short trip. Required: On a motorbike, rider and passenger wear a helmet, gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers and boots that protect the ankles. The right way: Wear your helmet, gloves, jacket and boots. A helmet is compulsory on a moped too; the clothing rule is for motorbikes only. Traffic fine (1st-degree offence): On-the-spot payment: 64 € + 10,67 €; In court: 100 € – 2.500 €; Falling unprotected: Far worse injuries.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- The rider and the passenger of a motorbike (motorfiets / motocyclette) must wear a helmet (valhelm / casque).
- On a motorbike, the rider and the passenger must also wear gloves, a long-sleeved jacket and long trousers or overalls.
- Footwear must protect the ankles: wear boots or shoes that cover the ankle. Flip-flops and sandals do not meet this requirement.
- On a moped (bromfiets / cyclomoteur), the rider and the passenger must wear a helmet. This applies to class A mopeds (25 km/h) and class B mopeds (45 km/h).
- The rule on gloves, jacket and boots only applies to motorbikes. On a moped it is not compulsory, but it protects you if you fall.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- 1st-degree offence: on-the-spot fine (onmiddellijke inning / perception immédiate) 64 € (+10,67 € administrative costs).
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 1 (Justel)KB 19.4.2014, art. 2, 3°
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. If the case goes to court: a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €.
Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 1: On-the-spot payment €64; in court €100 – €2,500. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- If you fall without a helmet or protective clothing, injuries to your head, hands and legs are much more serious.
What do these terms mean?
- On-the-spot payment
- A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.
Why does this rule exist?
On a motorbike or a moped, there is no car body to protect you in an accident. A helmet protects your head, gloves and a jacket protect your skin, and boots protect your ankles. These rules are there to reduce serious injuries.
Where can you go?
- Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
- Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 11 / 11 statements in an official source
- Checked: 02.11.2026
- Last checked
- 16.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Motosiklet sürücüsü ve yolcusu kask takar
KB 1.12.1975, art. 36 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Motosiklette eldiven, uzun kollu ceket, uzun pantolon/tulum zorunlu
KB 1.12.1975, art. 36 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Bilekleri koruyan bot/ayakkabı zorunlu
KB 1.12.1975, art. 36 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Mopet sürücüsü ve yolcusu kask takar (tüm sınıflar)
KB 1.12.1975 art. 36 (bromfietsen zonder passagiersruimte) (Justel) - Found in an official source
A sınıfı 25 km/s, B sınıfı 45 km/s
KB 1.12.1975 art. 2.17 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Koruyucu kıyafet kuralı mopetleri kapsamaz; 2027 kodunda da yalnız motosiklet
KB 3.6.2024 (Code van de openbare weg), art. 43 §1 1° ve §3 (Justel, tekstbijwerking tot 31-08-2026; yürürlük 1.6.2027) - Found in an official source
Art. 36 KB 30.09.2005'te derece almamış: 1. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
1. derece anında ödeme 64 € + 10,67 €
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Kask cezasının 64 € + 10,67 € = 74,67 € olması (e-step kaskı aynı art. 36)
KB 19.4.2014, art. 2, 3° - Found in an official source
1. derece mahkeme 100–2.500 €
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Motosiklette koruyucu giysi zorunluluğu 1.9.2011'den beri
KB 1.12.1975 (wegcode), art. 36 (KB 11.6.2011)
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?