UK Road Legal Quad Bikes: The Definitive Guide

Susan Difford - Clean Green Compare Personal Lines Insurance Expert
Written by  Susan DiffordUpdated  9 May 20253 min read

Table of Contents

If you’re buying a quad bike or ATV for the first time, it’s very important that you know exactly the steps you need to take in order to make it legal to ride on a public road. A lot of quad bikes cannot be used on roads at all since they don’t meet road safety standards. However there are steps you can take to make your quad bike road legal, such as getting the right type of quad bike insurance. That’s what we’ll be covering in this guide. You can find a full list of the rules for quad bikes by clicking this link.

Key points

What Steps Do I Need To Take To Make My Quad Bike or ATV Road Legal?

  • Register with the DVLA: In order to road your quad bike on public roads, you’ll to register it with the DVLA as well as having licence plates on the front and rear of your bike.
  • Have a valid MOT certificate: If your quad bike is over three years old, you’ll also need to have a valid MOT certificate for it.
  • Hold a UK car driving licence: Although it’s a different type of vehicle, you’ll still need a full UK car driving licence if you plan to use your quad bike on public roads.
  • Get insurance: You’ll also need to have insurance for your quad bike to make it road legal. The minimum type of cover you’ll need to have is third party only insurance.

quad bike riding on a dirt road

Is it necessary to have insurance for a quad bike?

If you want to ride it on public roads, then yes you’ll need to have third party only insurance at minimum.

Why do I need a car insurance licence for my quad bike?

If you want to ride your quad bike on public roads, then it’s subject to the same laws as all other vehicles, so this means you’ll need to have a valid UK driving licence.

Am I required to wear protective gear such as a helmet?

You’re not required by law to wear protective gear while riding a quad bike but it’s highly recommended that you do.

Are there any other steps I need to take to make my quad bike road legal?

Yes, in addition to having your vehicle registered and having the correct licence and insurance, you should also make sure your bike is up to standard where things like mirrors, tyres, brakes and lights are concerned.

In Summary

In summary, to ride your quad bike or ATV legally on public roads in the UK you’ll need to have it registered with the DVLA, display licence plates, get the correct type of insurance and hold a full UK driving licence. You should also make sure your vehicle is safe by ensuing the lights, brakes and mirrors are all functioning properly.

If you follow all these steps, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy riding your bike on the roads the same as any other road user.

Compare Quad Bike Insurance Quotes!

Don’t have your registration number? No problem, click here.

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