Riding pillion on a motorbike taxi means trusting a professional with your safety. Beyond the rider and the gear, there is one thing people rarely check: insurance. Yet it is what protects the passenger if something goes wrong during the ride.
What French law requires
Motorbike taxis (VMDTR, motorised two- or three-wheelers) are regulated by the French Transport Code. Under its articles L3120-4 and R3120-4, the operator must be able to show two insurance policies:
- professional liability insurance;
- vehicle insurance covering the carriage of passengers for payment.
Insuring the motorbike is not enough: the policy must specifically cover carrying paying passengers.
A regulated profession
Other rules protect the passenger. The rider must hold a professional card, the vehicle must display a distinctive sticker, and a motorbike taxi may only pick up a customer with a prior booking: it cannot be hailed in the street.
What to check before you book
- Book with an identified company, with a name, a SIRET number and contact details.
- Feel free to ask whether it is insured to carry passengers.
- Be wary of a motorbike offering to take you without a booking.
At Easy One Two Wheels
Easy One Two Wheels is insured to carry passengers. Every ride is booked in advance, with full gear provided to the passenger: airbag vest, helmet with intercom, gloves and a jacket depending on the season.
Source (in French): Bpifrance Création, “Transport de personnes en 2 ou 3 roues (moto-taxi)”, updated 19/05/2025.