Population: 594,130
Area: 2,586 square kilometres
Capital: Luxembourg
Currency: Euro (EUR) €
Official language: Luxembourgish, French and German
Luxembourg is a compact yet captivating destination for a motorcycle tour. Riders can carve through the winding forest roads of the Ardennes, cruise alongside the vineyards, and explore medieval towns crowned with hilltop castles. The roads are smooth, distances are short, and scenery shifts quickly from dense woodland to open countryside. With light traffic, well-marked routes, and plenty of scenic stops, it’s an ideal place to enjoy relaxed, rewarding riding. Add in excellent local food, welcoming towns, and a rich cultural mix, and Luxembourg delivers a memorable experience despite its small size.
Riding around Luxembourg, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK.
To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, this guide tells you everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.
A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
Your motor insurance certificate (ensure your motorcycle is covered by third-party insurance recognised in Luxembourg. This is the legal minimum cover for residents and visitors, so check with your provider before you travel)
The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental
From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.
This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Luxembourg.
The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.
If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Italy. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September 2021.
From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Luxembourg.
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.
Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.
This will be launching in the last quarter of 2026. We have a separate guide for this.
travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Luxembourg.
Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).
It's also recommended to have:
- Spare bulbs for your motorcycles external lights
- A first-aid kit
- A reflective jacket
Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Luxembourg:
- meat or products containing meat
- milk or dairy products
You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:
- fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
- vegetables
- plants
- plant products
In Luxembourg, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Buses, including school buses, have right of way when pulling out. On steep roads, traffic driving uphill has priority
If you're in a built-up area, you can only use your horn in cases of extreme danger
The use of dipped headlights during the day is recommended for all vehicles
If you're caught committing a motoring offence while driving through Luxembourg, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to €145
The drink-drive limit is 0.05%. For professional drivers and novice drivers with less than 2 years' experience, the limit is 0.02%. Anyone suspected of driving under the influence might be subjected to a breath test
The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas and 90km/h on open roads. On motorways, it’s 130km/h – reduced to 110 km/h in rain or snow
You won't have to pay motorway tolls to drive in Luxembourg
Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available, as is LPG. Many petrol stations have automatic pumps which operate with a bank card or credit card
There are motorway service areas situated at Capellen on the Arlon motorway and near Bettenbourg on the A3 motorway in the direction of Thionville/Metz
You will usually be charged to park in towns, either by parking meters, tickets or parking discs. Wheel clamps are used throughout Luxembourg, and vehicles that are causing an obstruction may be removed and impounded
It’s easy to cross into neighbouring countries without realising it. Keep your passport with you for identification
112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.
Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.
Road regulations are subject to change. Although we strive to keep this information up to date, we recommend verifying details before setting off.
