Motorized rodeo (urban rodeo)
Verified 21 September 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Can your vehicle be confiscated in case of motorized rodeo (urban rodeo)? We tell you what you need to know.
The motorized rodeo, also called urban rodeo, is a offense consisting of driving a motor vehicle by intentionally repeating maneuvers that violate safety or precautionary requirements provided for in the highway code.
The maneuvers practiced are, for example, the extended rear wheel or the deliberate skidding.
The vehicles used are predominantly two-wheeled vehicles of the motorcycle-cross, moped or motorcycle type. Sometimes it's a question of non-approved vehicles which are not authorized to travel on a road open to public traffic.
The practices motorized rodeo are diverse: isolated behavior, neighborhood rodeo, collective gathering organized on the public road or adjoining car parks.
FYI
Taking a reckless position, or performing a reckless acrobatic maneuver, while driving a motor vehicle on a lane open to traffic, is a contravention. Unlike motorized rodeo, it is not necessary to repeat the acts to be in violation. This contravention is punishable by a fine of up to €450 and a 2-point reduction in the permit.
Main sentence
The offense of motorized rodeo is punished by 2 years imprisonment maximum and €30,000 maximum fine.
The vehicle may be confiscated. On authorization of public prosecutor, the vehicle may be immobilized and impounded.
When several people participate in the motorized rodeo, the penalties shall be increased to 3 years imprisonment maximum and €45,000 maximum fine.
In the following 3 situations, penalties shall also be increased to 3 years imprisonment maximum and €45,000 maximum fine:
- When the person has used narcotics or has refused to submit to drug use checks.
- When the person is under the influence of alcohol or has refused to submit to blood alcohol testing.
- Where the person does not have the driver's license required for the vehicle he or she is driving, or the person's license has been canceled, invalidated, suspended by the prefect or by the judge, or withheld.
If the person is both in at least 2 of these 3 situations, the penalties shall be increased to 5 years imprisonment maximum and €75,000 maximum fine.
Supplementary penalties
A person guilty of the offense of motorized rodeo the risks additional penalties following:
- Confiscation of the vehicle
- Suspension of license for a maximum of 3 years
- Cancelation of permit and prohibition to apply for a new license for up to 3 years
- Sentence of community service
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at its own expense, a road safety awareness course.
The vehicle may be immobilized.
The following acts are punishable by 2 years imprisonment maximum and €30,000 maximum fine:
- Encourage another person to participate in a motorized rodeo
- Organize a rally to do a multi-person motorized rodeo
- Promote a motorized rodeo or a rally organized to do a multi-person motorized rodeo.
A person guilty of one of these offenses risks them additional penalties following:
- Confiscation of the vehicle
- Suspension of license for a maximum of 3 years
- Cancelation of permit and prohibition to apply for a new license for up to 3 years
- Sentence of community service
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at its own expense, a road safety awareness course.
The vehicle may be immobilized.
Motorized rodeo: fixed fine in some cases
The motorized rodeo may be sanctioned by a lump sum fine delict (AFD) in some cases.
That is what the law no. 2026-798 of august 18, 2026, known as the Ripost Act.
This page will be updated when the DFS procedure is actually implemented.
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