Riding on the road – is my quad bike road legal?

There are a few criteria a quadbike must meet before it can be ridden on the road:

• Your vehicle must have number plates on the front and rear as with all road vehicles.
• Your vehicle must be insured for use on the road. It is important that you check you can get your quad insured before you plan to ride it on the road.
• Your quad bike must be road registered with DVLA.
• Your quad bike must also be taxed and have a valid MOT if it is more than 3 years old.

Can I make my off-road quad bike road legal?

Many quad bikes cannot be ridden on the roads because they do not meet road safety standards. If you already own a quad bike meant for off-road, It is possible to submit your quad bike for type approval to get it road legal if it meets the road safety standards.
However, it is far more convenient to purchase a road legal quad bike if your intent in having one is to ride it on the road.

What licence do I need?

Riding a quadbike on private land does not require a licence. However, if you wish to ride your quad bike on the road, you will need a full UK car driving licence (category B or B1). A motorcycle licence will not allow you to ride your quad bike on the road unless it has a B1 entitlement.
 

What insurance do I need?

Despite having similar mechanics to bikes, motorbike insurance providers won’t be able to insure your quad bike. Instead, quadbikes are considered by the law to be like cars, and so requires road-specific insurance- a minimum of third-party insurance cover. Most insurers will require you to be 21 or over to get insurance. However, this can vary between insurers.
 

What protective gear do I need?

It is not a legal requirement to wear protective gear while riding a quad on the road. However, it is absolutely recommended that you wear at the very least a crash helmet. Leathers and other biking equipment are also strongly advised.
 

Where can I ride?

Road legal quads can be ridden anywhere a car can go. This means roads that are classified as public right of way- sometimes referred to as green lanes or BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic). You can also ride on country roads that are unclassified and white roads. Remember, quads are considered to be like a car, so you cannot ride in bike lanes.

Where you can ride on the motorway, riding a quad long distance can get uncomfortable. We recommend taking frequent breaks and keeping distances short.
 

Can I carry passengers?

If you have a quad built to hold passengers, then you can carry passengers on the road. However, the bike must have the correct features including a seat and footpegs.

Interested in getting your quad on the road? Check out our range of road legal quads here.

The post Riding your quad bike on UK roads – What you need to know appeared first on SMC Quads.

Whether it’s you or your kids wanting to get back into riding, there are a few things you will need to check to make sure your bike is ready to ride!

Check out our checklist below to getting your bike summer ready!

1: Check your bike over

The first step is to give your bike a good check over to see if there are any visual problems.

Here are a few things to look out for:

Loose bolts and chains: Do any bolts need tightening up?

Leaks: Is anything leaking?

Underinflated tires: Your tires may need pumping up after being in the garage for 4-6 months!

Filters: Make sure no dust has accumulated in your filters.

Mice: if you have been keeping your bike in a garage or shed, it might be a good idea to check over for small rodents like mice that may have made a nest in or around your bike!

Fluids: Make sure your bike is oiled, and it has new fuel in!

2: Test Ride

Now you have inspected your bike, pumped up the tires and changed the oil, the next step it to warm up the mechanics with a test ride! This involves checking:

Breaks: The most important thing to check before you or your children go out on your quadbike is to make sure the breaks are all still in working order! There’s no reason they shouldn’t be, but it’s worth checking!

Battery: Your battery will probably need charging if your bike has been left for a few months.

Steering and power: A test run in a safe environment will let you test the steering and power, and allow you to get a feel for your bike after a period of not riding.

3: Shine it up

Your bike may have collected some dust over the winter!

Keep it looking and feeling like new by cleaning and polishing. This is good practice as it will keep your bike in good shape and prolong your bikes life and value.

The post Checklist for getting your bike summer ready! appeared first on SMC Quads.

Are you thinking about quad biking but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you? Quad biking experience days are a great way to get a feel for what riding a quad bike is really like. Experience the thrill of quad biking yourself and check out some of the quad biking experiences in the UK below!

All Out Adventures- Newcastle

Age range: 6+

Price: £60 (adult) £37 (child)

Website: https://alloutadventures.co.uk/products/quad-biking

• Child, adult and family days are available.
• A variety of bike sizes suitable for children 6-9 years, 10-15 years, and adults.
• Groups are not mixed, so your experience can be tailored to riders of any ability.

Yorkshire Outdoors- Yorkshire

Age range: 12+

Price: on enquiry

Website: www.yorkshire-outdoors.co.uk/activitiesquad-biking-experience

• A range of experiences for different abilities: choose from ‘The challenge’, ‘The Trek’ and ‘VIP biking’.
• 50 Acres of land.
• One on one tuition

Tile Farm Off Road- Chester

Age range: 10+

Price: £55-75 per person

Website: https://www.tilefarmoffroad.com/quadadventures

• 250 acres of countryside
• Optional obstacles- you can tailor your experience to your ability.
• Helmets gloves and overalls provided.

NPF Bassetts Pole Adventure Park- Birmingham

Age: range: 11+

Price: £45 per person

Website: https://www.npfbassettspole.com/activities/quad-trekking

• Fun and unique jungle theme with tribal artefacts and ancient stone statues.

True Grip Off Road Specialists- Ashford

Age range: 16+

Price: £65-£110

Website: www.truegrip-offroad.co.uk/quads

• Access to stunning Eastwell Park
• Safari-style tracks
• Small groups (3 riders per 1 instructor)
• Trek and trail options available.
• Also available is a bespoke combo experience to try a mixture of both.

Henley Hillbillies- Dorset

Age range: 8+

Price: £35-£50

Website: www.henleyhillbillies.co.uk/quadbiking

• Family and small group options
• 1 ½ mile track
• Junior riding experience available for 8-15 years, which offers a more controlled gradual learning experience.

MadMax Adventures- Kirknewton Edinburgh

Age range: 16+

Price: £60 per person

Website: https://www.madmaxadventures.com/activities/quad-bike-safari/

• Ultimate quad bike safari experience in Scotland
• Kirknewton estate grounds
• Various types of terrain and obstacles

Adventure Wales- Taff Valley

Age range: 12+ (junior sessions available for ages 7-11)

Price: £35 per person (quad biking only)

Website: http://www.adventurewales.co.uk/

• Initial training followed by a trek through fields, farmland and woodlands.
• Packages available, with other activities and/or food.
• Up to 20 people per session.

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