Passenger and load: what your moped can carry
⏱️ 2 min read
A bag on the handlebars, a mate on the luggage rack: two "small" habits that unbalance a moped and generate real exam questions. Here's what you can carry — and how.
✨ Key takeaways
- Passenger: only on a designated seat with footrests, sitting astride, helmet fastened.
- One passenger only, according to the seats provided by the manufacturer.
- Load secured: nothing drags, falls off, shifts, or hides lights, reflectors or the number plate.
- Nothing in your hands, nothing on the handlebars: both hands stay on the controls.
- Load low and centred to preserve balance.
The passenger: only if the moped is designed for it
- You may only carry a passenger if the moped has a proper passenger seat: a seat designed for that purpose, with footrests.
- The passenger sits astride, feet on the footrests — never side-saddle, never on the luggage rack or the fuel tank.
- One passenger only, and only the number of seats provided by the manufacturer.
- The passenger wears an approved and fastened helmet, exactly like you (see the helmet lesson).
The load: secured, unobtrusive, balanced
The general loading rules also apply to your moped: everything you carry must be firmly secured and must not drag, fall off, shift, or compromise your stability. On a two-wheeler, balance is your life: it's even more critical than in a car.
- The load must not hide your lights, your reflectors or your number plate.
- Use a luggage rack, a top case or panniers — not a bag hanging from the handlebars that throws off the steering.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars: nothing bulky in your hands, no phone, no umbrella.
- Load low and centred: a high load or one shifted to one side makes the moped unpredictable when braking and cornering.
Your moped has only a single-person saddle, with no rear footrests. Your friend asks you to drop him off at school. Can you?
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I carry my sports bag between my feet on the scooter's floorboard?
Only if it's stable, well wedged in, and doesn't hinder your movements or the controls. If in any doubt, secure it on the luggage rack or in a top case.