More about trikes
Trikes must be fitted with at least one offside and one nearside exterior rear view mirror both of which must meet the adjustment requirements and the vibration requirements. The diameter of the reflecting surface of a circular mirror must be:
- Not less than 94mm
- Not more than 150mm
Where mirrors are not circular, their reflecting surface must be:
- Able to contain a 78mm diameter circle
- No larger than 120mm x 200mm.
- Mirrors must be fitted or set in such a way that the centre of the reflective surface is at least 280mm from the centre line of the vehicle with the handlebars in the ‘straight ahead’ position. NB.
This legislation applies to all unbodied trikes, irrespective of when they were first registered.
Sources:
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
There’s a lot of confusion around seatbelt laws for trikes — but here are the facts:
Seatbelts are not required for:
- Three-wheeled mopeds
- Tip-up occasional seats
- A saddle-type driver’s seat on unbodied trikes
- Saddle-type passenger seats positioned directly behind or in front of the rider
If the rider and passengers sit astride the frame, like on a motorcycle, seatbelts aren’t compulsory.
However, if they don’t sit astride (for example, in car-style seats), seatbelts are required.
Outboard, forward-facing passenger seats (as found on most 3–4 seat trikes) must have suitable belts — lap, 3-point, harness, or child restraints.
On car-based trikes where the rider sits astride but passengers sit in car-style seats, only the passenger seats need belts.
⚠️ Important:
- Older trikes (pre–17 June 1999) under 410kg may follow older rules — check official sources below.
- Any fitted seatbelt must be used and must meet British or EU safety standards.
- Type-approved trikes without belts remain MOT compliant if approved to 92/61/EEC or 2002/24/EC.
Sources:
- MOT Inspection Manual
- Seat Belt Regulations 2003
- Road Vehicles Regulations 1986
- Gov.uk Seat Belt Law
Rick Hulse, NABD Chairman
In the UK, motorcycle helmets are legally required for riders of mopeds, motorcycles, and sidecar combinations.
However, trike riders and passengers are exempt — there is no legal requirement to wear a helmet when riding a trike on public roads.
Helmet Safety Standards (if worn):
- BS 6658:1985 (with BSI Kitemark)
- UNECE Regulation 22.05 or newer ECE 22.06
- Equivalent EEA standard offering the same level of protection
⚠️ Note:
It is now illegal to sell helmets in the UK or Europe without the ECE 22.06 mark, although earlier approved helmets remain legal to use. Be cautious — many imported or online helmets with only a U.S. DOT mark are not road-legal in the UK.
Source: Gov.uk – Motorcycle Helmet Law
Rick Hulse, NABD Chairman
(from DVLA Rates of Vehicle Tax – V149) Trikes not exceeding 450kg unladen weight are Tax Class 50 (Tricycles). Trikes of more than 450kg unladen weight are Tax Class 11 (Private/Light Goods Vehicle). NB. There are people who believe that trike MOT class and Taxation Class depends on whether it is a car-based trike or a motorcycle-based trike. Ignore them, they are wrong!
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
See more about Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax)
(from the MOT Inspection Manual) Three-wheeled vehicles not exceeding 450kg unladen weight, (excluding motorcycle/sidecar combinations) require a Class 3 MOT test. Three-wheeled vehicles of more than 450kg unladen weight, (excluding motorcycle/sidecar combinations) require a Class 4 MOT test.
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
Licensing FAQ’s
Not at all. Many NABD-supported riders with limb loss or reduced mobility hold full motorcycle licences. With suitable adaptations, a test examiner will assess your control, not your physical layout.
Times vary, but typically 4–12 weeks. You can usually continue riding during a review unless the DVLA explicitly tells you otherwise.
Yes, as long as you inform the DVLA if the change affects your riding ability. Many riders continue safely with updated adaptations or medical notes on their licence.
No. Age rules for A1, A2, and A licences remain the same for everyone.
Yes. Many riders receive adaptation grants before completing training or tests. NABD can provide funding and technical advice to help you get on the road safely.
Yes. You can complete CBT and ride on L-plates using an adapted motorcycle, providing the machine meets learner legal requirements.
The DVLA does not require a declaration for bike modifications unless the adaptation is due to a medical condition, in which case the condition itself must be declared. Insurers, however, always need to know about adaptations.
No. Adaptations affect the bike, not the rider category. You will still receive the standard motorcycle licence category (A1, A2, or A) based on the bike you tested on.
The time it takes can vary greatly but lately they seem, to be taking longer than ever. Even a very straightforward case may take more than a month. More complex cases, or those requiring additional medical evidence or assessments, can take much longer. When you have submit a DVLA medical declaration, you can continue driving or riding as normal unless you have been specifically told not to by a medical professional.
The full report titled “Driven to Despair” is available for download on the NABD website. You can also contact the NABD office at office@thenabd.org.uk to request a copy or ask for further information about the investigation and its recommendations. See more > Driven to despair
Yes we can. The NABD offers advice and support to riders who face undue delays or believe they are being treated unfairly by the Driver’s Medical Group at the DVLA. We can guide you through the appeal process or assist with submitting coherent complaints to ensure you are treated fairly and, when necessary, we can arrange an assessment, which can then be used as evidence to help the DVLA reach the correct decision. We can also offer an advocacy service, dealing with the DVLA on your behalf (requires written permission from the subject). What we will not do, is support a case where the individual concerned is unfit to ride on public roads.
While the DVLA Driver’s Medical Group (DMG) say they always aim to make decisions promptly, delays often occur due to a shortage of trained staff. Complex cases, or those in need for further medical evidence can be quite tortuously slow. It is not uncommon for some cases to take many months or, in extreme cases, several years to resolve.
The Driver’s Medical Group (DMG) at the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) is responsible for evaluating individual drivers and/or riders with medical conditions, including disabilities, and determining whether or not an individual will be safe to continue driving and/or riding. If you are unsure whether or not you need to inform the DMG about an illness, condition or disability you can check the current A-Z list at; https://www.gov.uk/health-c… Finding your illness, condition or disability on this list, does not mean your licence is in jeopardy, it simply means you are legally obliged to inform them of your illness, condition or disability. In the vast majority of cases, there is nothing at all to worry about.
Visit our “Useful Links” section for government contacts, partner organisations, and engineering specialists.
Yes, we have a network of volunteer Regional Reps throughout the UK who can offer guidance and support in your area. See the Rep’s list for details of your most local NABD Rep.
We offer advice on licensing, insurance, legal issues relating to vehicles and vehicle construction, VAT exemptions, control & vehicle adaptations, motorcycle & trike training for riders with disabilities and the use & adaptation of protective motorcycle clothing & equipment
Yes, you must disclose any disability which can effect your ability to ride or drive a standard unadapted vehicle. However, insurers cannot load your premium simply besed on your disability. This is a protection offered by current Disability Discrimination legislation in the UK and throughout Europe.
