The ART certification is one of the most important standards for chain locks and other locks for two-wheelers such as bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. The ART Foundation tests and certifies locks for theft resistance: the more stars a lock receives, the higher its security. Below is an overview of the different ART levels and what they mean.

ART 1

• Meaning: Basic protection; guards against simple and quick force.
• Use: Short-term parking in well-monitored or private areas.
• Insurance: Often not recognized by insurers.
• Security: Easily forced with basic tools; minimal protection.

ART 2

• Meaning: Standard protection against limited professional tools.
• Use: Short-term parking in areas with some supervision or locked garages.
• Insurance: Sometimes recognized for basic theft coverage.
• Why: Offers slightly more resistance but still vulnerable to targeted attacks.

ART 3

• Meaning: Enhanced protection against more advanced tools and longer attempts.
• Use: Unmonitored public areas for short to medium parking periods.
• Insurance: Usually recognized by insurers as minimum requirement for motorcycle theft coverage.
• Why: Good balance between usability and security for standard motorcycles.

ART 4

• Meaning: Advanced protection; resistant to professional tools and prolonged attempts.
• Use: Long-term parking in public areas or for valuable motorcycles.
• Insurance: Recognized by most insurers; often required for higher policy values.
• Why: Provides strong resistance against professional tools and significantly delays thieves.

ART 5

• Meaning: Maximum protection; tested against advanced methods and professional tools.
• Use: High-end or expensive motorcycles; maximum security required.
• Insurance: Required by insurers for full coverage of valuable vehicles.
• Security: Offers the highest theft resistance, minimizes risks, and meets strictest insurance requirements.

The ART certification is a Dutch quality label that indicates the level of theft protection offered by a motorcycle or scooter lock. This certification is issued by the ART Foundation and is an important requirement for many insurance companies. The higher the number of ART stars, the more rigorous the testing and the higher the level of theft resistance.

• ART 3: three-star locks provide good theft protection for mopeds, scooters and bicycles with a high theft risk. For mopeds and scooters, insurers generally require at least an ART 3-certified lock.
• ART 4: four-star locks are designed for motorcycles and offer a high level of theft protection. They are suitable for use on the road and meet the minimum requirements set by most motorcycle insurers.
• ART 5: five-star locks provide the highest level of theft protection and are tested against longer attack times using heavier tools. Due to their weight, these locks are mainly used to secure motorcycles at home or at a fixed parking location.