From January 1, 2026, a far-reaching innovation in the field of road safety will come into force in Spain: the classic warning triangle will no longer be used on freeways and dual carriageways. Instead, the so-called V16 warning light will become mandatory. The Spanish traffic authority Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) is thus pursuing the goal of significantly increasing safety in the event of breakdowns or accidents - especially under difficult visibility conditions or in heavy traffic.
The European Commission has presented a far-reaching proposal to tighten up technical vehicle inspections: Cars and light commercial vehicles that are more than ten years old should in future be required to undergo an annual main inspection - better known in German as TÜV. The aim is to increase road safety and better control emissions. The German government is reacting cautiously.
The European Union has decided on a comprehensive reform of driving license law - with far-reaching consequences for millions of people. The focus is on digitalization, Europe-wide standardization and a significantly stricter set of rules for novice drivers. Motorcyclists in particular are likely to find some of the changes serious. Implementation into national law should take place by 2029 at the latest, but many changes could take effect earlier.
The European Commission wants to tighten the regulations for general inspections (HU) of vehicles. Specifically, this involves an annual mandatory inspection for cars and vans that were first registered more than ten years ago. The aim is to significantly reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries and thus achieve the so-called “Vision Zero” - by 2050, road accidents resulting in death should be almost completely avoided.
Greece is planning a new regulation that will deny motorcyclists without helmets access to fuel. The law is part of a revised road traffic code and was introduced in response to the high number of accidents in the country. Particularly controversial: the regulation not only affects locals, but also tourists who are out and about on rented two-wheelers.
France is lifting the restrictions on lane filtering and, after years of testing, is now making this driving technique legal throughout the country. The corresponding decree was passed on January 9, 2025 and came into force the very next day. For motorcyclists and scooter riders throughout the country, this represents a significant step towards greater riding comfort in slow-moving traffic.
From January 1, 2025, stricter regulations against avoidable vehicle noise will come into force in Switzerland. Both car drivers and motorcyclists will have to be prepared for high fines if they cause unnecessary noise. The aim of these measures is to significantly reduce noise pollution in residential areas and on roads.
There are currently an increasing number of articles stating that motorcycles in China have to be scrapped once they are 13 years old or have covered 120,000 km. This is causing a lot of discussion. But is this really the case? Let's take a closer look
The European Union is facing a major shift in its transport policy aimed at tackling reckless driving across all European borders. In a recent vote, the European Parliament voted in favor of an initiative to ensure that driving bans imposed in one member state are recognized across the EU.
Major changes to driver's licenses can be expected starting in 2023. The European Union intends to adopt a special directive that will have an impact on all driving license holders, but also for anyone who still wants to obtain a driving license. Here is an overview of the most important changes:
After already the fines for too fast driving were drastically increased, in Austria threatens in the future also the expropriation of the vehicle. The motorcycle could be confiscated and auctioned off. Also vacationers from other countries could lose their vehicle.
As reported, France wants to introduce a technical inspection for motorcycles. Bikers have already defended themselves against this with several demonstrations. Apparently, the protest against the introduction must now be continued. Now an open letter with interesting numbers was published.
The EU had decided on a uniform regulation regarding the technical inspection of vehicles. France should therefore have introduced a general inspection for motorcycles. However, French motorcyclists have now successfully fought against this.
The EU's ban on internal combustion engines from 2035 does not apply to motorcycles, at least as things stand.
In the future, Austria wants to take tougher action against undesirable behavior in road traffic. Wheelies, burnouts, drifting etc. could become extremely expensive in the future.
Circuit racing was banned in Switzerland for 67 years, the law has now been overturned.
Yes, it's really true, motorcyclists in Romania must carry a fire extinguisher (and much more), otherwise they face a fine.
Querly had to face the accusation of having driven an illegal race on 14. April 2022 in front of the district court of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. At about 12 o'clock the verdict was pronounced on the Grenzgaenger.
In the future, anyone driving in a lane closed by a "red X" in Great Britain could automatically receive a 100-pound fine and three points on their driver's license.
In England, too, the topic of "motorcycle noise" and "inconsiderate driving" is boiling up. Only recently it was reported here that drones are now being used to prevent illegal off-road driving. Now they had a new, particularly clever idea: one could equip all motorcycles with trackers.