Helmets for two-wheel vehicle users: Albanian Road Code Article 169
Article 169 requires riders and passengers of mopeds and motorcycles to wear an approved helmet, and motorcycle riders to be visible on interurban roads.
Updated:
Who must wear a helmet
Under paragraph 1, an approved (type-approved) protective helmet must be worn while moving by:
- riders of mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles (paragraph 1/a);
- riders of motorcycles of any engine size, including with a sidecar, and their passengers, even if they are minors (paragraph 1/b).
Being visible on interurban roads
Paragraph 5 requires motorcycle riders to be visible on interurban roads from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and in daytime in fog, snow or heavy rain. To do so they must wear an approved fluorescent/phosphorescent vest or technical clothing with phosphorescent elements.
Fines under article 169
Amounts are taken from the published text of the Code; check the exact amount to pay in the official payment channel before paying.
- No helmet: 1,000 to 3,000 lek (paragraph 2). If a minor passenger commits the violation, the rider is responsible.
- If the rider is a minor, instead of the fine the vehicle is administratively blocked for 30 days (paragraph 3).
- No vest or clothing with phosphorescent elements: 1,000 to 3,000 lek (paragraph 5). The published text writes the upper limit as “3 (tre mijë)”; the words mean three thousand, i.e. 3,000 lek.
- The article also sets separate fines for importing, producing or selling non-approved helmets (paragraph 4).
How to read the code on a fine and where to check fines
A code such as “169 §2” on a fine means article 169, paragraph 2 of the Albanian Road Code. You can check active unpaid fines for a licence plate for free on the Gjoba Alert home page.
This page is reference information, not legal advice. The Code may change.
Fines under this article
| 169 §2 | 1,000 ALL to 3,000 ALLText of the Code (Albanian)Cilido, që shkel dispozitat e këtij neni, ndëshkohet me masë administrative, me gjobë nga një mijë deri në tre mijë lekë. Kur shkeljen e kryen një pasagjer me moshë jomadhore, përgjegjësinë e mban drejtuesi i mjetit. |
|---|---|
| 169 §3 | In addition: në vend të masës administrative me gjobë, zbatohet bllokimi administrativ i mjetit për 30 ditë Text of the Code (Albanian)Kur shkelja kryhet nga një drejtues mjeti në moshë jo madhore, në vend të masës administrative me gjobë, zbatohet bllokimi administrativ i mjetit për 30 ditë. |
| 169 §5 | 1,000 ALL to 3,000 ALLText of the Code (Albanian)Kushdo që nuk zbaton këtë detyrim, ndëshkohet me masë administrative me gjobë nga 1000 (një mijë) deri në 3 (tre mijë) lekë. |
Source
Consolidated text of the Albanian Road Code (Law 8378/1998 as amended up to Law 58/2026), p. 110. Reference information, not legal advice.
Amendments to the article: Ndryshuar pika 2 me ligjin nr. 10488, datë 5.12.2011; ndryshuar fjalë në pikën 2 dhe shtuar pika 5 me ligjin nr. 63/2021, datë 7.5.2021; ndryshuar pika 5 me ligjin nr. 21/2023, datë 16.3.2023
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fine for riding without a helmet in Albania?
Paragraph 2 of article 169 sets a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 lek. Check the exact amount in the official payment channel.
Do passengers need a helmet?
Yes. Paragraph 1/b covers motorcycle passengers, including minors; for a minor passenger the rider is responsible (paragraph 2).
When is a hi-vis (fluorescent) vest required?
On interurban roads from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and in daytime in fog, snow or heavy rain (paragraph 5).
What happens if a minor rides without a helmet?
Under paragraph 3, instead of a fine the vehicle is administratively blocked for 30 days.