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FAST FACTS FOR YOU

Fast Facts aim is to simplify the laws concerning biking. Keep them with you whenever you ride.

Helmets are compulsory and must be marked BS 6658 1985 or UN/ECE 22-05.

• A sidecar driver and pillion passenger must wear a helmet but sidecar passengers do not require a helmet.

• Trike regulations are more complicated. A trike rider or passenger may have to wear a helmet and some may even have to wear seat belts depending on vehicle licensing classification. Such things as weight of the machine and whether you sit astride or in a seat are factors that have to be considered. You should check with the DVLC to find the correct classification.

Visors To be legal they must conform to BS 4110, which ensures a level of scratch resistance and permits up to 50% light transmittance. Any other visors are illegal but sunglasses, tear-offs and inner wrap-arounds are permitted.

Pillion Passengers No age limit but MUST be able to place both feet on the pillion footrests.

Protective body armour Effective body armour should carry a CE marking. The most common is EN 1621-1 covering the impact performance and dimensional requirements of armour designed to protect elbows, hips, knees and shoulders. These work by reducing the peak force on the rider's body and are generally fitted into the clothing.  Although in draft form, there are currently no agreed standards for back protectors.

Protective clothing The following standards are intended for professional riders, but clothing made to these standards will be available to all road riders:

• Clothing: Standard BS EN 13595-1:2002 or EN 13595-1
• Boots: Standard BS EN 13634:2002 or EN 13634
• Gloves: Standard still in draft form.

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Penalties Fixed penalty

speeding is categorised by the courts as follows:

• SP10 = Excess speed - Goods vehicles

• SP20 = Excess speed - Non goods/ passenger vehicles

• SP30 = Excess speed - Private cars and motorcycles

• SP40 = Excess speed - Passenger service vehicles i.e. buses

• SP50 = Excess Motorway speed limit

• SP60 = Excess miscellaneous speeding offences i.e. exceeding temporary speed restriction. Note: These are the codes that appear as endorsements on driving licences in relation to speeds.

They are not the same as the police codes on your 'ticket', but they are the ones that appear on your licence. The two differing codes should not be confused.

Drink/driving or a dangerous driving conviction will result in an automatic 12-month ban, for repeat offenders or high alcohol levels it may be longer. Two drink driving offences within 10 years could get you a three-year ban. Doctors are now able to take blood to test from unconscious or incapacitated drivers without their consent.

Totting Up Under the totting up scheme, points generally last for three years; however, after disqualification, you cannot apply for a new licence until the end of the fourth year.

In other circumstances, points can last longer, as follows:

• 11 years from date of conviction for 'offences relating to drink /drugs and driving, such as causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink! drugs and causing death by careless driving then failing to provide a specimen for analysis

• 4 years from date of conviction for reckless! dangerous driving and offences resulting in disqualification.  

Although every care has been taken in compiling this list, it is only a guide and has been produced in good faith by Thames Valley MAG. It does not represent legal advice. In the event of a query riders should contact their local Transport Police. Thames Valley MAG can accept no responsibility for actions taken (or not taken) as a result of this guide.

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