Sidecars and Insurance
Motorcycle modifications for sidecar use
The question of what bike modifications should be declared to your insurance company is answered by Peter James Insurance as follows:
Declare everything and let us decide what is relevant. Many modifications are recorded for information only and won't necessarily result in an increase in premium. We insure many motorcycle and sidecar combinations so we're somewhat familiar with the engineering involved.
Peter James offer a free and simple agreed value service and can usually agree the value of the bike over the phone. Occasionally we would require an independent valuation, provided by a club, a dealer/restorer or professional valuer. An agreed value takes away any uncertainty of what the member would receive in the event of a total loss. If the bike were insured on a market value basis (i.e. not agreed) we would employ the services of an external claims assessor who would decide the value of the machine.
We would assume other insurers take a similar approach.
Nov 2024
The question of what bike modifications should be declared to your insurance company is answered by Peter James Insurance as follows:
Declare everything and let us decide what is relevant. Many modifications are recorded for information only and won't necessarily result in an increase in premium. We insure many motorcycle and sidecar combinations so we're somewhat familiar with the engineering involved.
Peter James offer a free and simple agreed value service and can usually agree the value of the bike over the phone. Occasionally we would require an independent valuation, provided by a club, a dealer/restorer or professional valuer. An agreed value takes away any uncertainty of what the member would receive in the event of a total loss. If the bike were insured on a market value basis (i.e. not agreed) we would employ the services of an external claims assessor who would decide the value of the machine.
We would assume other insurers take a similar approach.
Nov 2024
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 II A - DIMENSIONS AND MANOEUVRABILITY
Width
8.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), the overall width of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum width specified in column 3 in that item.
TABLE
(regulation 8(1))
1 2 3
Item Class of vehicle Max width (metres)
1 A locomotive, other than an agricultural motor vehicle. 2.75
2 A refrigerated vehicle. 2.58
3 Any other motor vehicle. 2.5
4 A trailer drawn by a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight (determined as provided in
Part I of Schedule 8 to these Regulations) exceeding 3500 kg. 2.5
5 An agricultural trailer. 2.5
6 An agricultural trailed appliance. 2.5
7 Any other trailer drawn by a vehicle other than a motor cycle. 2.3
8 A trailer drawn by a motor cycle. 1.5
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a broken down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown.
(3) No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing a wheeled trailer if, when the longitudinal axes of the vehicles are parallel but in different vertical planes, the overall width of the two vehicles, measured as if they were one vehicle, exceeds 2.5 metres.
(4) In this regulation “refrigerated vehicle” means any vehicle which is specially designed for the carriage of goods at low temperature and of which the thickness of each of the side walls, inclusive of insulation, is at least 45 mm.
Width
8.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), the overall width of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum width specified in column 3 in that item.
TABLE
(regulation 8(1))
1 2 3
Item Class of vehicle Max width (metres)
1 A locomotive, other than an agricultural motor vehicle. 2.75
2 A refrigerated vehicle. 2.58
3 Any other motor vehicle. 2.5
4 A trailer drawn by a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight (determined as provided in
Part I of Schedule 8 to these Regulations) exceeding 3500 kg. 2.5
5 An agricultural trailer. 2.5
6 An agricultural trailed appliance. 2.5
7 Any other trailer drawn by a vehicle other than a motor cycle. 2.3
8 A trailer drawn by a motor cycle. 1.5
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a broken down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown.
(3) No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing a wheeled trailer if, when the longitudinal axes of the vehicles are parallel but in different vertical planes, the overall width of the two vehicles, measured as if they were one vehicle, exceeds 2.5 metres.
(4) In this regulation “refrigerated vehicle” means any vehicle which is specially designed for the carriage of goods at low temperature and of which the thickness of each of the side walls, inclusive of insulation, is at least 45 mm.
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.
Internal FoSC Discussion on Trailer Width
There is an issue with the Regulations as drafted:
Regulation 8 is straightforward - a motor cycle can tow a trailer of up to 1.5m wide – ‘motor cycle’ in this context includes motor cycle and sidecar.
So far, so good.
Regulation 84 (1)(e) may have been an attempt to limit trailers towed by solo motor cycles to 1 metre wide.
There are two ways to interpret "a motor cycle with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar":
The first says this Regulation doesn’t apply where a sidecar is fitted - move along, as you were, ignore the rest of Regulation 84 and consider only Regulation 8;
The second interpretation could mean ‘don't count the wheel on the sidecar when determining whether your machine is in scope’. That is to say the 1 metre rule would apply to both solos and combinations.
When asked for clarification VOSA, DVLA, DfT, CPS and the Transport Minister have all been unable to offer an opinion and suggested it would have to be tested in court.
As the natural meaning of the words can be taken in two ways, it is possible that a judge (see note) might ask "What is the purpose of this regulation; what was it trying to achieve when written?". Assuming there is agreement that a motor cycle and sidecar in combination can safely tow a wider trailer than a solo motor cycle, and that a primary purpose of the Regulations is to ensure vehicle/road safety then a ‘two-widths’ interpretation would fit with the purpose of the Regulations.
Note: If it ever came to it, someone would need to be stopped, taken to court and have the inclination and determination to fight the case all the way.
For now we only can be sure that 1 metre wide is legal for both solos and combinations.
There is an issue with the Regulations as drafted:
Regulation 8 is straightforward - a motor cycle can tow a trailer of up to 1.5m wide – ‘motor cycle’ in this context includes motor cycle and sidecar.
So far, so good.
Regulation 84 (1)(e) may have been an attempt to limit trailers towed by solo motor cycles to 1 metre wide.
There are two ways to interpret "a motor cycle with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar":
The first says this Regulation doesn’t apply where a sidecar is fitted - move along, as you were, ignore the rest of Regulation 84 and consider only Regulation 8;
The second interpretation could mean ‘don't count the wheel on the sidecar when determining whether your machine is in scope’. That is to say the 1 metre rule would apply to both solos and combinations.
When asked for clarification VOSA, DVLA, DfT, CPS and the Transport Minister have all been unable to offer an opinion and suggested it would have to be tested in court.
As the natural meaning of the words can be taken in two ways, it is possible that a judge (see note) might ask "What is the purpose of this regulation; what was it trying to achieve when written?". Assuming there is agreement that a motor cycle and sidecar in combination can safely tow a wider trailer than a solo motor cycle, and that a primary purpose of the Regulations is to ensure vehicle/road safety then a ‘two-widths’ interpretation would fit with the purpose of the Regulations.
Note: If it ever came to it, someone would need to be stopped, taken to court and have the inclination and determination to fight the case all the way.
For now we only can be sure that 1 metre wide is legal for both solos and combinations.