Riding a motorcycle abroad: license and insurance

Riding motorcycles for the border can be tempting during these holiday periods. And rest assured, this is not prohibited. But provided that it is permitted by your license and insurance.

Does your license permit two wheels to be driven abroad? Will insurance cover you in the event of a claim? Does your green card indicate the country you are traveling to? When should you consider obtaining an international permit? Find out everything you need to know before riding your motorcycle abroad.  

Riding a motorcycle abroad: restrictions on your license

  Eh yes! Sorry, your license Geographic restrictions ... If foreign licenses are allowed in France, at least for a certain and limited period, then unfortunately this does not apply to the French license.  

French motorcycle license for Europe

The French license is valid, of course, in France and throughout Europe. Therefore, if you want to take a short trip to a neighboring country or cross one or more European borders, you have nothing to fear. Your French license allows you ride a motorcycle anywhere in Europe.  

International motorcycle license abroad and outside the EU.

From the moment you leave European territory, your French license will no longer be useful to you. This document is not recognized all over the world, and in some countries it can be considered a crime to ride on two wheels. In others, this is acceptable, but only in the case of a short stay.

Therefore, if you want to ride your motorcycle abroad, and outside the EU have an international license... In France, you can take the A2 International motorway, which will allow you to travel 125 cm3 around the world.

Good to know: some countries, which are especially demanding, also do not accept the international A2 license. In such a situation, if you want to go there in your two-wheeled vehicle, you will be asked to obtain a local license. To avoid this inconvenience, be sure to check this before choosing your destination.  

Motorcycle travel abroad: how about insurance?

  The coverage you receive will depend on your insurance contract and, of course, the guarantees you take.  

Don't forget to check your green card

Check your green card first before leaving. This is a document provided by your insurer and includes a list of all foreign countries in which you will continue to receive insurance coverage in the event of losses... This list can usually be found on the front of the map, and the countries covered are represented by abbreviations, which you will find just below your name and your motorcycle ID.

The green card also includes a list of all of your insurer's offices located abroad. It is to them that you can turn to in case of an accident or if necessary.  

What if the destination country is not included in the Green Card?

If the country you want to travel to is not on the list of countries covered by your insurance company, please contact them directly. It is possible - in some situations - for them add the country in question.

And while you're there, take the opportunity to add "legal aid" to your guarantees. Thus, in the event of a claim, if you find yourself in a dispute in a foreign country, you will be able to use legal assistance at the expense of your insurer.