More and more motorcyclists and drivers are documenting their trips with action cams or dash cams—whether for protection in the event of an accident or to capture special moments. However, what may seem normal in one country can quickly become expensive or even punishable in another. The publication of video recordings, for example after a vacation, carries additional risks. Portugal has recently tightened its regulations, but other countries are also taking a restrictive approach.
Since June 12, 2025, new, stricter regulations have been in force in Italy for the use of speed cameras, known as “Autovelox.” According to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, these measures are intended not only to increase road safety, but also to ensure greater transparency and fairness. The reform was preceded by a long-standing debate about questionable speed camera locations and ever-increasing fine revenues.
Greece is significantly tightening its road traffic regulations. With the aim of reducing the high number of traffic accidents, the Greek parliament has passed a comprehensive amendment. This affects both locals and tourists. Anyone who fails to comply with the new rules from 2025 onwards will face drastic fines and long driving bans. The measures include cell phone violations, speeding, drink driving, and parking motorhomes.
The British government is planning a far-reaching change to the legal requirements for the seizure and disposal of vehicles used for so-called “anti-social behavior”. This regulation could have drastic consequences for motorcyclists in particular. A public consultation will run from May 28, 2025, with the aim of obtaining opinions on shortening the deadlines for scrapping impounded vehicles by July 8, 2025.
Portugal has drastically tightened the legal situation surrounding dashcams and now joins a number of countries that completely prohibit the use of such devices. Together with Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland, there is now a de facto or legal total ban on dashcams. For tourists, this means that anyone driving with a camera on their windshield risks severe penalties - sometimes for the mere possession of such a device.
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.