Riding a motorcycle without a licence. Is that possible? And if so, where and when?
Riding a motorcycle without a licence might sound a bit strange. “You need a motorcycle riding licence to do ride a bike, right?!”. Yes, that is right. To make something simple a bit more confusing, we’ve got different motorcycle riding licences in the Netherlands. And besides all that, you actually can ride a motorcycle without a licence. How that is possible? And where and when? Let us tell you all about it.
You do need a licence to ride a motorcycle on public roads. But what if you ride motorcycles yourself and you want to ignite that fire within your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or another relative, who does not ride yet?
RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A LICENCE
A TRIAL LESSON IN MOTORCYCLING
Nothing works better to light that motorcycle fire and get people excited to ride one than a trial lesson in motorcycling. A trial lesson is often done on private terrain of the organizing driving school. This terrain is often separated from public roads and is almost always fenced. According to Dutch laws, you can ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle licence when you do so on private terrain that can be closed from other motorists. You also don’t need a driving licence to ride a motorcycle in this case.
NO DRIVING LICENCE AS WELL
NO PROBLEM
Do you want to get your motorcycle licence, but you also aren’t in possession of a driving licence for a car? Then you still are allowed to take motorcycle riding lessons. Is your dream bike already waiting for you in your garage? Then please resist the urge to ride it before getting your motorcycle riding licence. At least, not on public roads. Do you have access to private terrain that can be closed for other road users? Then you are a lucky man or women!
THE FINE FOR RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A LICENCE
A WASTE OF MONEY
Are you not able to resist the urge to ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle licence? Then it could cost you dearly. Besides the fact that it is far from wise to ride a vehicle you might not have controle over, the fines for riding a motorcycle without a licence are far from cheap.
In the Netherlands, you pay a fine of 340 euros the first time you are caught riding a motorcycle without a licence. Are you stubborn by nature? Then it gets less and less funny, each time you break the law.
The fine goes up to 400 euros for the second time you are caught riding a motorcycle without a licence. And you get one week in custody and probation. Custody in the Netherlands is the same thing als time in prison, but it is called custody when it is an offense instead of a crime.
THE HARD WAY
STUBBORN RIDERS
Do you really want to learn the hard way and try riding a motorcycle without a licence for the third time? And do you get caught, again?! Then the custody will be longer. How long that is depends on how often you’ve broken that specific law and in which period of time.
To make a long story short; it is no joke to get caught riding a motorcycle without a licence. Our advise; just don’t. Ride that bike without a licence where you are allowed to do so. That means, shy away from public roads. It’s not only safer, but also wiser.
WHERE TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A LICENCE
ON PRIVATE TERRAIN OR ON TRACK
Do you really want to ride a motorcycle, but not allowed to get your motorcycle riding licence yet? Or just simply too impatient? Then go and ride it on private terrain, like we said earlier in this article. As long as you can close it off from other people, you are good to go.
This means, the property has to be yours (or owned by a relative who gave you permission to ride there). It also has to be fenced with a fence that can open and close. A sign with “No trespassing” also suffices. A barrier instead of a fence does the job too, as long as it doesn’t open up to everyone who parks in front of it.
NO LUCKY BIRD?
DO A TRACK DAY
Not so lucky to have a terrain like this in the family? And not blessed with friends who have a terrain like this either? Then think about riding a motorcycle on track.
RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A LICENCE ON TRACK
AS LONG AS YOU'VE GOT CONTROL
You can ride a motorcycle without a licence on track. You do need to bring your own motorcycle to do so. One can rent a motorcycle in some cases, but it fully depends on the owners of the rental bike whether they allow you to ride it when you don’t have your licence yet.
Please note, you can ride your motorcycle on track without a licence, as long as you’ve got controle over the vehicle. So you need to be able to ride it through turns, get it stopped whenever you want it to etcetera. Never ridden it before? Or a bike in general? Then stay away from track. But do you have controle over your motorcycle, just don’t have a licence? Or did it get taken away after an oopsie on the road? Then you can ride your bike on track without a licence.
Do you normally stunt with your bike on private terrain? But are you no longer in the position to practise your stunts there? Then please know that stunting is not allowed on track. Most marshalls on track are very strict when it comes to clutch up wheelies and stoppies. They just don’t want you to perform these kinds of stunts. A little power wheelie is a different thing of course. But a big clutch-up wheelie is often rewarded with a black flag, which means the end of your track day.
LOST YOUR LICENCE?
GOOD TO GO
Did you let your inner hooligan get the best of you on the public roads? And were the cops just a bit faster than you? So lost your licence? Then you can still ride on track. Are you a bit of a heavy-fisted rider? Then consider to quit riding on public roads and make a hobby out of riding on track.
Trust us; you won’t regret it. Riding on track is – in our humble opinion – much more fun than riding on public roads. We love a little cruise through the gorgeous countryside. But riding fast is something we do less and less on public roads. Some of us never slow down, but most of us will tell you the exact same thing; after you start to ride on track, you take it a bit more easy on the roads. Riding fast on public roads just isn’t the same. Of course this isn’t the same for everyone. But that’s just our experience.
CONCLUSION
Riding a motorcycle without a licence is possible. You can book a trial lesson motorcycling either way. And complete motorcycle riding lessons. You are also allowed to ride on track without a licence. We often come across fast and young 15 year old boys and girls who leave us far behind on track. Too young to get their licence, but already great motorcyclists.
Do you want to ride a motorcycle without a licence? Whether you just haven’t gotten your licence yet or whether it was taken away by the police? Then avoid public roads and ride that bike on private terrain or on track. This way, you keep it safe and fun for everyone.
