Driving Licence

Motorbike driving licence

The driving licence categories A, A1, A2 and AM regulate the driving of various motorbikes and three-wheeled vehicles. They differ in terms of power, engine capacity and minimum age.

Motorradfahrer bei der Fahrprüfung mit einem Prüfingenieur im Hintergrund

Class A

Motorcycles – two-wheeled vehicles, including those with sidecars – with

an engine capacity of more than 50 cm³ or
a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h (engine power of more than 35 kW or power-to-weight ratio (unladen mass) of more than 0.2 kW/kg)

Three-wheeled motor vehicles (previously Class B) with

a power output of more than 15 kW or
with symmetrically arranged wheels and an
engine capacity of more than 50 cm³ (for internal combustion engines) or
a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and
a power output of more than 15 kW

Class A at a glance

Minimum age:	24 years for direct entry into the motorcycle category (21 years for three-wheeled vehicles)
Requirements:	Category A2 if under 24 years of age
Validity:	Class A is valid indefinitely
Includes:	Categories A2, A1 and AM
Notes:	If you have held a Class A2 licence for at least 2 years, only a practical test is required (progressive driving licence)

Class A1

Motorcycles (light motorcycles) – two-wheelers, including those with a sidecar – with

an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cm³
an engine power not exceeding 11 kW and
a power-to-weight ratio (unladen weight) of max. 0.1 kW/kg

Three-wheeled motor vehicles (previously Class B) with

symmetrically arranged wheels
an engine capacity of more than 50 cm³ (for internal combustion engines) or
a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and
a power output of up to 15 kW

Class A1 at a glance

Minimum age:	16 years
Requirements:	No other class is required
Validity:	Class A1 is valid indefinitely.
Inclusion:	Class AM
Notes:	-

Class A2

Motorcycles – two-wheeled vehicles, including those with a sidecar – with

an engine power not exceeding 35 kW, which is not derived from a motorcycle with a power output exceeding 70 kW
a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg

Class A2 at a glance

Minimum age:	18 years
Requirements:	No other class is required
Validity:	Class A restricted is valid indefinitely.
Inclusion:	Class A1 and M
Notes:	If you have held a Class A1 licence for at least 2 years, only a practical test is required (progressive licence). Holders of a Class A2 driving licence issued between 19 January 2013 and 27 December 2016 may continue to ride motorcycles with a power output of more than 70 kW within Germany.

Class AM

Light two-wheeled motor vehicles

of class L1e-B pursuant to Article 4(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles (OJ L 60, 2.3.2013, p. 52)

Three-wheeled mopeds

of category L2e as defined in Article 4(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles (OJ L 60, 2.3.2013, p. 52)
of class L6e pursuant to Article 4(2)(f) of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles (OJ L 60, 2.3.2013, p. 52)

Class AM at a glance

Minimum age:	15 years
Condition:	Until the holder reaches the age of 16, the driving licence must be subject to the condition that it may only be used for journeys within the country. This is indicated by code 195 on the driving licence. This condition ceases to apply once the licence holder has reached the age of 16.
Validity:	Class AM is valid indefinitely.
Inclusion:	-
Notes:	-