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Types of Quads, Rules and safety

A quad is a motor vehicle with 4 wheels. At the RDW, quads are classified in 3 different ways: as a three-wheeled motor vehicle with 4 wheels or as a four-wheeled motor vehicle or as an agricultural vehicle. The traffic rules for the quad differ per type of quad. In any case, you are obliged to follow the applicable traffic rules and to maintain the maximum speed, as it applies to the road you are driving on.

The following 3 categories are important for you in the Netherlands (other countries may have different inspection requirements).

1: L7E Quad (registered as 3-wheeled 4-wheeled motor vehicle)

  • As a motor vehicle, falls into category L7E if the weight is less than 450 kg.
  • Heavier quads / buggies are registered as "Auto" with the RDW and are then subject to the same legal rules as a car.
  • A L7E quad may normally insure anyone aged 18 and over.
  • A driving licence (B) is required.
  • MOT does not apply under a weight of 450 kg.
  • A L7E quad has no speed limit on the license plate.
  • The maximum speed on the road is the legally permitted maximum speed location

    2: L7E Buggy/UTV/Side by Side (as 4-wheeled motor vehicle)
  • As a motor vehicle, falls into category L7E.
  • A L7E buggy/UTV/Side by Side can normally be insured by anyone aged 18 and over. 
  • A driving licence (B) is required.
  • MOT does not apply under a weight of 450 kg.
  • A L7E buggy/UTV/Side by Side may have a speed limit registered on the license plate.
  • The maximum speed on the road, is the legally permitted maximum speed on the spot, unless the maximum speed is registered lower on the registration certificate.

(Note: more and more insurance companies refuse to insure such buggies)


3: T3b Quad

  • Falls into the category of agricultural/forestry vehicle T3b.
  • a T3b quad, can only be insured if you have an agricultural business.
  • a private individual CANNOT insure a T3b quad and is therefore NOT allowed to drive it.
  • a T (tractor) driving licence is required.
  • MOT obligation applies!
  • Is not allowed to drive on:
    • Highways (e.g. A roads such as A2, A12, A27 etc) 
    • N roads such as N11, N59, N401 etc. (unless the commission has determined otherwise with traffic signs)
    • Roads that are closed/prohibited for (agricultural)construction vehicles.
  • The maximum speed on the road: is the legally permitted maximum speed on the spot, with a maximum of 40 km/h.
    Source: National government

    No differences can be visible on a L7E or T3b quad. The difference lies purely in the factory type approval issued by the RDW.

    So before you buy a quad, pay close attention to what type of license plate the quad has.

Helmet or Seatbelt

In a nutshell; does your quad bike not have a roof or roll bar? Then wearing a helmet is mandatory!
If the Quad meets certain conditions, you can ride the Quad with a seatbelt and without a helmet. These are the conditions:

 

  • The vehicle must have the type approval of a side by side / buggy / reverse trike (with closed body or roll bar) +
  • Original belt attachment points fitted by the factory +
  • Type of belt is 3 or 4 point belt +
  • Hip belt is never allowed if the year of construction is after 1 January 1990 +
  • Seat belt and attachment points must be included in the European Type Approval of the vehicle.

 

If the quad has such belt points and ALL the above points are met, this is registered in the license plate register at the RDW. Only then may you drive with a seat belt and without a helmet.


Smart tinkerers sometimes attach belts to the strangest attachment points. For example, suspension points of the plastic caps, or behind the fastening bolts of the fuel tank. These are absolutely not approved attachment points, if they are not listed on the license plate. Fitting a seat belt at such points is absolutely not allowed and very unsafe. 

In any case, we strongly advise against fitting and using seat belts so that you can drive without a helmet.
This is because there is always the possibility that you will be involved in an accident. Even if you are not at fault in this, the opportunity is there. Since an ATV or Quad can fall over or roll over in such accident situations, it is always safer to wear a helmet, thus minimizing the risk of injury. You can also ask yourself whether you want to be tied to a vehicle of at least 200 kg and roll over, without the possibility of being able to secure yourself.
Eaglemotorsport also always recommends appropriate and protective clothing when riding an ATV or Quad.

Driving licence rules

Quads that fall into vehicle category L7E: To drive a L7E quad, you need a B driving licence. That's the same driver's license you need to drive a car. You also need normal (car or motorcycle) insurance.

European directives concern Driving licence for L7E vehicles:
More information European Directive L7e category: 2006/126/EC (Article 4, paragraph 4, point a)
More information European Directive when B and B1: 2002/24/EC (Article 1, paragraph 3, point b)

Quads that fall into vehicle category T3b:

To drive a T3b quad, you need a T driving licence. That's the same driver's license you need to drive an agricultural vehicle/tractor/tractor.
But beware! Someone with a T driving license must not simply drive a T3b quad. You must also insure a T3b quad. And that is not possible for private individuals, because it is only possible for a farmer to insure a T3b quad (agricultural vehicle). As a private individual, pay close attention when purchasing a quad, which type of license plate is on the quad. Look carefully on the license plate card or on the website of the RDW, whether the vehicle category is L7E. More information about L7E and T3b can be found at Types of Quads.

 

L5E Tricycles / Trikes:
Tricycles motor vehicles, such as a Piaggio MP3, or a Can-Am Spider, or a Boom trike, fall into the L5E category. That is a category especially for 3 cyclists. So vehicles with "real" 3 wheels. For this L5E category, a different driving licence rule applies. Namely:
* Did you obtain your driving licence (B) before 19 January 2013? Then you can drive a L5E tricycle with that driving licence.
* Did you obtain your driving licence (B) after 19 January 2013? Then you are NOT allowed to drive a tricycle, but you need a motorcycle license (A).