Sidecars and the Law in the UK
Licences
The various routes to obtaining a motorcycle driving licence are set out in the DVLA flowchart
You normally have to take tour motorcycle test on solo machines as specified in the flowchart, but there is a dispensation that allows disabled people to use a motorcycle and sidecar combination to gain a Category A licence restricted to motorcycles fitted with sidecars. (citation needed) More information about riding and adapting sidecars for people with a disability can be obtained from the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.
The various routes to obtaining a motorcycle driving licence are set out in the DVLA flowchart
You normally have to take tour motorcycle test on solo machines as specified in the flowchart, but there is a dispensation that allows disabled people to use a motorcycle and sidecar combination to gain a Category A licence restricted to motorcycles fitted with sidecars. (citation needed) More information about riding and adapting sidecars for people with a disability can be obtained from the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.
Construction and Use Regulations
Relevant parts taken from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to which reference should be made:
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/introduction/made
Relevant parts taken from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to which reference should be made:
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/introduction/made
PART V Trailers drawn by motor cycles
84.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor cycle--
(a) drawing behind it more than one trailer;
(b) drawing behind it any trailer carrying a passenger;
(c) drawing behind it a trailer with an unladen weight exceeding 254 kg;
(d) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar, and with an engine capacity which does not
exceed 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer; or
(e) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar and with an engine capacity exceeding 125 cc,
drawing behind it any trailer unless--
(i) the trailer has an overall width not exceeding 1 m;
(ii) the distance between the rear axle of the motor cycle and the rearmost part of the trailer does
not exceed 2.5 m;
(iii) the motor cycle is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position
with its kerbside weight;
(iv) the trailer is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position
with its unladen weight; and
(v) the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 150 kg or two thirds of the kerbside weight of the
motor cycle, whichever is the less.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1)(b), (d) and (e) do not apply if the trailer is a broken down motorcycle and one passenger is riding it.
84.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor cycle--
(a) drawing behind it more than one trailer;
(b) drawing behind it any trailer carrying a passenger;
(c) drawing behind it a trailer with an unladen weight exceeding 254 kg;
(d) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar, and with an engine capacity which does not
exceed 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer; or
(e) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar and with an engine capacity exceeding 125 cc,
drawing behind it any trailer unless--
(i) the trailer has an overall width not exceeding 1 m;
(ii) the distance between the rear axle of the motor cycle and the rearmost part of the trailer does
not exceed 2.5 m;
(iii) the motor cycle is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position
with its kerbside weight;
(iv) the trailer is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position
with its unladen weight; and
(v) the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 150 kg or two thirds of the kerbside weight of the
motor cycle, whichever is the less.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1)(b), (d) and (e) do not apply if the trailer is a broken down motorcycle and one passenger is riding it.
Unbraked trailers
87.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road an
unbraked wheeled trailer if--
(a) its laden weight exceeds its maximum gross weight; or
(b) it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice the sum of the unladen weight
of the trailer and the weight of any load which the trailer is carrying.
(2) This regulation does not apply to--
(a) an agricultural trailer; or
(b) a trailer mentioned in regulation 16(3)(b) to (g). [i.e. trailers complying with Reg 84, above.]
87.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road an
unbraked wheeled trailer if--
(a) its laden weight exceeds its maximum gross weight; or
(b) it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice the sum of the unladen weight
of the trailer and the weight of any load which the trailer is carrying.
(2) This regulation does not apply to--
(a) an agricultural trailer; or
(b) a trailer mentioned in regulation 16(3)(b) to (g). [i.e. trailers complying with Reg 84, above.]
Leaving trailers at rest
89. No person in charge of a motor vehicle, or trailer drawn thereby, shall cause or permit such trailer to stand
on a road when detached from the drawing vehicle unless one at least of the wheels of the trailer is (or, in
the case of a track-laying trailer, its tracks are) prevented from revolving by the setting of the brake or the
use of a chain, chock or other efficient device.
89. No person in charge of a motor vehicle, or trailer drawn thereby, shall cause or permit such trailer to stand
on a road when detached from the drawing vehicle unless one at least of the wheels of the trailer is (or, in
the case of a track-laying trailer, its tracks are) prevented from revolving by the setting of the brake or the
use of a chain, chock or other efficient device.
C Attachment of sidecars
92. Every sidecar fitted to a motor cycle shall be so attached that the wheel thereof is not wholly outside the
space between transverse planes passing through the extreme projecting points at the front and at the
rear of the motor cycle.
Use of sidecars
93. No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road any two-wheeled motor cycle registered on or
after 1st August 1981, not being a motor cycle brought temporarily into Great Britain by a person resident
abroad, if there is a sidecar attached to the right (or off) side of the motor cycle.
92. Every sidecar fitted to a motor cycle shall be so attached that the wheel thereof is not wholly outside the
space between transverse planes passing through the extreme projecting points at the front and at the
rear of the motor cycle.
Use of sidecars
93. No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road any two-wheeled motor cycle registered on or
after 1st August 1981, not being a motor cycle brought temporarily into Great Britain by a person resident
abroad, if there is a sidecar attached to the right (or off) side of the motor cycle.