The lure of taking a quad bike off the farm track or off-road route and onto public roads is a big one for many riders. More and more enthusiasts are enjoying the pleasure of riding a quad across the countryside but being entirely within the rules. But finding road legal quad bikes in the UK is not always that easy and to know what it is that makes a quad bike road legal and where to get one, takes a little investigation. This tutorial takes you through all you need to know.
An Overview: What Makes A Quad Bike Road Legal
Before you start looking for road legal quad bikes it is important to know what the phrase implies. In order to be lawfully driven on public roads in the UK, quad bikes must fulfil a precise set of regulations put forth by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). These regulations encompass aspects such as lights, brakes, tires, mirrors and indicators, to name just a few. Even a high grade agricultural or leisure quad bike will not be immediately road compliant. Road legal quad bikes must also be fitted with a valid number plate, a MOT certificate from the age of three years and must be registered with the DVLA in the correct vehicle category. Riders need the necessary licence – usually a complete Category B automobile licence or a Category A motorcycle licence, depending on the weight and specification of the machine.
Starting Your Search Specialist Dealers
The best method to discover road legal quad bikes is through specialist retailers who cater particularly for this sort of vehicle. Unlike typical powersports stores, professional quad bike specialists will know the regulatory requirements inside out and will be able to tell you if a certain model has UK type approval or individual vehicle permission. If you visit or contact a dealer always enquire exactly if the machines they have in store are delivered as road legal quad bikes from the manufacturer or whether they have been converted and approved after the fact. Both techniques can create genuine road going machines but it’s crucial to know which process has been followed and to see the required paperwork. A good dealer will be honest about this and will have all the correct documents ready to go.
Online Marketplaces & Classifieds
The internet has made it a lot easier to buy a road legal quad bike and you can search the entire of the United Kingdom from the comfort of your own house. Online classifieds and auction websites display new and used road legal quad bikes, with the ability to filter searches by location, price and engine size. But buying from a private seller through an internet marketplace includes dangers that buying from a recognised dealer does not. Always insist on documentation proof from the vendor that the car is indeed road legal in private sales. If the machine is old enough to require a MOT, verify the MOT history. Ask to view the V5C logbook, which confirms the vehicle is registered with the DVLA. Don’t just take a seller’s word that road legal quad bikes are what they are cracked up to be – check everything out for yourself before you part with any money.
Attending Quad Bike Shows & Events
You can also go to quad bike fairs, agricultural exhibits and powersports events. This is another great method to meet informed dealers and other enthusiasts and locate road legal quad motorcycles. Often these meet-ups will include trade exhibits from dealers that specialise in road legal quad bikes so you can talk to the professionals, sit on several models and compare specs side by side. Such events are hosted year round all throughout the UK and are definitely worth investigating through industry magazines and enthusiast forums. You may also network at these types of events for suggestions of reliable dealers and sellers, since word of mouth is still one of the best tools in any automobile search.
Individual Vehicle Approval & Type Approval Checking
One of the most critical measures to discovering real road legal quad bikes is to make sure that they are correctly approved. Most factory made road legal quad bikes in the UK will have European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA) or its post-Brexit UK counterpart UK Type Approval. This indicates the entire model has been tested and approved to the required road safety requirements. Alternatively, a machine may be awarded Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) which is provided on a vehicle per vehicle basis. Both are entirely valid routes, however there may be certain limits or constraints linked to IVA vehicles. Always ask for copies of the approval certificates and compare the vehicle identification number on the documentation with the number on the machine itself. Real road legal quad bikes will always have this paperwork done.
New or Used Machines: Which is better?
The dilemma of whether to buy new or used road legal quads is one that every potential purchaser must carefully consider out. New machines come with the peace of mind of a full manufacturer’s warranty, a known service history and the knowledge that the vehicle has not been changed or damaged since it left the production line. Used road legal quad bikes on the other hand may be great value for money especially if the previous owner has looked after it well and kept a full service record. When buying used, it’s best to have an independent mechanic skilled with this sort of vehicle evaluate the machine before you make the purchase. Be sure to check the quality of the braking system, tires, lights and steering especially since these parts are important for road safety as well as passing the vehicle’s MOT.
Running Costs and Insurance explained
Looking for road legal quad bikes is merely the beginning of the adventure. Those considering buying a quad bike should also research the continuing costs of keeping a quad bike on the road in the UK. You will have to pay road tax, or Vehicle Excise Duty, like any other road going vehicle and the charge will depend on the machine’s engine size and emissions. Insurance is another big factor – road legal quad bikes need to have at least third party insurance to be used lawfully on the public road. Insurance costs are going to vary greatly based on the rider’s age, experience, region and the value of the vehicle thus it is advisable to get quotations from a number of providers before selecting a policy. Some insurers specialise in off-road and quad bike insurance and may be able to provide more attractive prices than the big carriers.
Owner Forums & Communities
One resource that is often ignored by people new to the world of road legal quad bikes is the abundance of knowledge accessible via online owner communities and enthusiast forums. These sites are a combination of the know-how of experienced riders who can tell you where to get legal quad bikes on the road, which models are most dependable, which dealers are most trustworthy and what dangers to avoid. By joining such a community before you make your purchase, you may save yourself a lot of time, money and stress and you may be able to find equipment or vendors that you would not have found using normal research on your own.
Final Thoughts
In the UK, you can get road legal quad bikes if you are prepared to do the research and do it the proper way. Buying from a specialist dealer, an online marketplace or a private sale, the key is always to check the legal status of the vehicle with documentary evidence, understand your licensing and insurance obligations and take the time to inspect any machine thoroughly before buying. Road legal quad bikes provide a really fascinating world of riding choices by combining the rough capabilities of a quad bike with the flexibility to go wherever the road leads you – all within the law.
