Compulsory wearing of helmets
Drivers and passengers of/in the following vehicles are required by law to wear a helmet:
- Mopeds and motorcycles with two or three wheels, whether the vehicle has twin wheels or not).
- Any approved motor vehicle with three wheels and an unladen weight of over 400 kg
- Quadbikes (motor vehicle with at least four wheels designed to travel at speeds over 25 km/h with motorcycle-like characteristics, notably handlebars, motorcycle controls, dashboard and saddle)
New
The requirement to wear a helmet also applies to riders of electric scooters under the age of 16.
Drivers of vehicles of enclosed, cabin-like design are not required to wear a helmet, provided a suitable and technically equivalent safety system is in place (for example, a specially fitted safety belt system).
Caution
Children must wear a cycle helmet when riding any bicycle (pushbike) until they reach their twelfth birthday. Children under 12 must wear a helmet if they are riding the bicycle, are being carried in a bicycle trailer, or are riding pillion on the back of a bicycle. The adult supervising the child under 12 is responsible for making sure they wear a helmet.
New
People under the age of 14 must wear a helmet when riding an electric bicycle (e-bike).
There is generally no compulsory helmet requirement for cyclists over the age of 14. However, it is recommended that cyclists of all ages wear a helmet.
Legal basis
- section 106 of the Kraftfahrgesetz (KFG)
- sections 68, 68a of the Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO)