Motorcycle Pillion Riding

It is an offence to carry a passenger on a motorcycle except when pillion riding on a securely fitted pillion seat behind the rider. The minimum requirement is for the pillion to be able to sit astride the seat and put their feet on the footrests.

The offence is committed by both the rider and the pillion, although usually only the rider is prosecuted. There is no requirement for an NIP beforehand, so the police have 6 months from the offence to issue a summons.

If your motorcycle was not properly fitted for a pillion, i.e had no pillion seat or foot-pegs, then you may find you are prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving instead.

What am I looking at?

If convicted you are looking at a fine up to £1,000, 3 penalty points and discretionary disqualification from driving.

What effect does this have on liability?

This all depends on what relevance the issue has to the accident. If the pillion fell off the back of the motorcycle then it may be highly relevant to a claim against the rider. If a car pulled out of a side road into the side of the motorcycle, taking out both rider and pillion, it may be completely irrelevant.

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