What to carry on every ride
- Your driving licence with the right category for the bike.
- The vehicle registration or ownership document, as the law where you ride requires.
- Proof of valid insurance.
- The inspection or roadworthiness certificate, where your country requires one.
Emergency information
- A card or a note with your emergency contact, blood type and any medical conditions or allergies that a responder should know.
- The number of your roadside assistance, and your insurer’s number for claims.
- Some riders also set up emergency information on the phone’s lock screen.
Keep copies
- Take photos of each document, and save them somewhere safe, such as a secure cloud folder or an email to yourself.
- Keep the originals you do not need on the ride at home, and carry the others in a waterproof pouch.
- Store a copy of the frame (VIN) number and the registration number separately from the bike. You will need them after a theft.
Track the expiry dates
Note the dates for the licence, the insurance and the periodic inspection, and set reminders a few weeks before they expire. Riding with an expired document can mean a fine, and may affect an insurance claim.
Riding abroad
Requirements for crossing borders differ. Check the licence, insurance and registration rules for each country on your route before you leave, and carry the extra papers they ask for.
Document rules differ by country and change over time. Check what applies to you with the official authorities and your insurer.