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Is it legal to carry paddleboards, surfboards or kayaks on your car?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to transport your sporting equipment by car. However, this statement comes with a very important caveat: it must be done in strict compliance with traffic regulations. This is not a grey area; the rules are clear and are designed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
The key lies in using a proper securing system, respecting the maximum dimensions by which the load may overhang, and signaling it correctly. Ignoring any of these points not only puts your safety at risk but also exposes you to financial penalties. Below, we detail everything the law says.
The regulations: what the law says about carrying loads on your car
The General Traffic Regulations are the document governing how we must transport objects in our vehicle. Several of its articles apply directly when we carry a board or kayak on the roof.
Article 14: Load arrangement
This article establishes the fundamental principle: the load must be arranged and secured in such a way that it cannot:
- Drag, fall totally or partially, or shift dangerously.
- Compromise the stability of the vehicle.
- Produce noise, dust or other nuisances.
- Conceal the lighting devices, signaling, number plates or any manual warning by the driver.
Article 15: Load dimensions
This is where we find the specific details on how far our equipment may overhang:
- Prohibited to overhang at the front: The load may not overhang at the front of the vehicle under any circumstances.
- Lateral limits: The load must not overhang the sides of the vehicle’s plan projection. That is, it cannot be wider than the car itself, including the wing mirrors.
- Rear limits: On passenger cars, the load may only overhang at the rear. The regulation distinguishes between:
- Divisible load: May overhang up to 10% of the vehicle’s length.
- Indivisible load: As is the case with a surfboard, paddleboard or kayak, it is permitted to overhang up to 15% of the vehicle’s length.
The V20 plate: Your compulsory signaling
Whenever the load overhangs at the rear of your vehicle, it is compulsory to signal it with one or two V20 plates.
- What is it? It is a square plate (50 × 50 cm) with diagonal alternating red and white stripes.
- When to use a plate? When the load overhangs longitudinally without occupying the full width of the vehicle. It is placed at the end of the load, perpendicular to the car’s axis.
- When to use two plates? If the load occupies the full width of the vehicle at the rear (from one end to the other), you must place two V20 plates, one at each end. The stripes on the plates must form an inverted “V” geometry.
Failing to carry the V20 plate when it is required is grounds for a penalty, so ensure you always have one to hand.
Steps for transporting your board or kayak safely
Now that we know the law, let’s move to practice. Follow these steps for safe, hassle-free transportation.
Step 1: Choose the appropriate transportation system
The foundation of everything is a proper roof rack. Do not attempt to tie the board directly to the car roof.
- Roof rack or roof bars: This is the fundamental system. Ensure it is an approved model compatible with your vehicle. The installation must be firm and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Kayak carriers or board protectors: For extra security and to protect your equipment, specific supports exist. Kayak carriers usually have a “J” or “V” shape to cradle the kayak, whilst for surfboards or paddleboards you can use foam protectors that sit on top of the roof rack bars.
Step 2: How to load and secure the equipment
To know how to transport the equipment, it is essential to consider:
- Position: Place the board or kayak face down, with the keel (fin) upwards. This improves aerodynamics and reduces wind resistance, which will help you save fuel. .
- Use straps, not bungee cords: Use ratchet tie-down straps with a pressure closure. These are far safer than elastic or “bungee” cords, which can give way with speed or wind.
- The anchoring method: Pass at least two straps over the board or kayak and under the roof rack bars. Ensure the straps are not twisted.
- Tighten firmly, but not excessively: tension the straps until the load is completely immobilized, but without applying excessive pressure that could damage the board or kayak. Once tensioned, secure the excess strap so it does not flap against the bodywork.
- Secure the bow and stern (especially for kayaks): For greater security, particularly with long kayaks, it is highly recommended to use additional ropes to tie the bow and stern to the front and rear towing points of the car. This prevents vertical swaying in the wind.
Is it different from carrying bicycles?
Although the general regulations on overhanging loads are the same, there are practical differences. Bicycles are carried on specific cycle carriers (roof-mounted, tailgate-mounted or tow ball-mounted) that are already designed for secure fastening. Boards and kayaks, due to their length and shape, are more susceptible to wind and require special attention to aerodynamics and longitudinal securing (bow and stern) to prevent lifting or swaying.
Let’s talk about fines: What are you exposed to?
Failing to comply with the regulations can prove costly. A poorly secured load or failure to signal it correctly with the V20 plate can result in a fine of up to €200. Safety comes first, and the authorities are strict with the rules that guarantee it.
This principle applies to any type of load, not just sporting equipment. Indeed, there are very specific regulations for other transports, and it is common for users to have doubts about the fine for carrying a motorbike in a van, for example. In that case, as in ours, inadequate securing or lack of correct signaling are serious infringements carrying significant penalties.
Now you are ready to load your equipment and set off on your adventure. Remember that planning and safety are your best travelling companions. Enjoy the waves and the road!
