Motorradführerschein : Das bedeuten die Klassen A, A1, A2 und AM

When obtaining a motorcycle license, you can choose between several classes. Learn more about the options and the age at which you are allowed to ride each motorcycle here.

Class AM driving throughout Germany at 15
Acquire motorcycle classes via direct entry or staged driving license
Driving light motorcycles with a car driving license with B196

Which license for which motorcycle? There are a variety of options for obtaining a motorcycle license, with previous ownership and vested rights playing a role. Furthermore, you can now extend your Class B license to light motorcycles up to 125 cc click here to Order class A1 licence.

What types of motorcycle licenses are there?

Motorcycle license class	Permitted motor vehicles
A	All motorcycles and three-wheeled motor vehicles
A2	Motorcycles with an engine power of up to 35 kW, where the power/unladen weight ratio does not exceed 0.2 kW/kg, which are not derived from a motorcycle with an engine power exceeding 70 kW.
A1	Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cm³ and an engine power not exceeding 11 kW, where the power/unladen weight ratio does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, as well as three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 15 kW.
AM	Light two-wheeled motor vehicles with a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h, a rated continuous power/net power not exceeding 4 kW and an internal combustion engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cm³ or another form of propulsion. Three-wheeled mopeds with not more than two seats, a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h, a rated continuous power/net power not exceeding 4 kW, a maximum unladen mass¹ of 270 kg and a spark-ignition engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cm³ or a compression-ignition engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 500 cm³ or another form of propulsion. Light four-wheeled road quads with a rated continuous power/net power not exceeding 4 kW and light four-wheeled motor vehicles with a rated continuous power/net power not exceeding 6 kW, each with not more than two seats, a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h, a maximum unladen mass of 425 kg and a spark-ignition engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cm³ or a compression-ignition engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 500 cm³ or another form of propulsion.
moped	Mopeds are single-track bicycles with an auxiliary motor and a maximum design speed of 25 km/h. Those who want to ride them don’t need a driver’s license, just a test certificate. Those who already have a driver’s license don’t need a test certificate.

The only relevant information is the vehicle registration document. For hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles, the unladen weight without the drive battery is entered.

At what age can you ride a motorcycle?

Driving license class	Minimum age
AM¹	16 years. Only within Germany: 15 years
A1	16 years
A2	18 years
A	24 years for motorcycles with direct entry 21 years for three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power exceeding 15 kW or 20 years for motorcycles with a previous ownership of class A2 for at least 2 years
moped	15 years

What is the graduated driving license?

Anyone who already holds a Class A1 or A2 driver’s license can upgrade it to the next level, Class A2 or A. To do so, you must have held your current license for at least two years . If you meet this requirement, after preparing for the test at a driving school , you only need a practical test and no longer need a theory test (known as a graduated driver’s license). This way, you can obtain Class A as early as age 20 .

Motorcyclist drives on road

What does direct entry mean?

However, you can also take a shortcut and upgrade from class A2 to class A before the two-year period expires. In this case, you must complete a training course with a reduced number of hours . After theoretical and practical driving school training, two exams ( theory and practical ) are required for class A. The training and exam must be completed on a motorcycle with at least 44 kW. You must be at least 24 years old to apply directly for class A.

Is there a probationary period for motorcycles?

When you first obtain a driver’s license – with the exception of classes AM, L, and T – it is always issued on a probationary basis . During the two-year probationary period , novice drivers face specific consequences for traffic violations. However, those who later obtain a passenger car class B license do not have to undergo another probationary period if they already hold a class A1 or A2 license.

Riding a motorcycle with the old class 3 license?

A Class 3 car driving license issued before April 1, 1980, allows you to drive light motorcycles with a displacement of up to 125 cc and a maximum engine power of 11 kW. This also applies after exchanging your paper driver’s license. Class A1 will be entered on your credit card. This authorization is valid throughout the EU. All (old and new) car driver’s licenses also include Class.

What does class B196 include?

Class B196 has been in existence since December 31, 2019. Anyone with a car driver’s license can easily and inexpensively upgrade their class B license to class A1 vehicles . This does not require a full driving school education or a theoretical or practical test; only driver training is required .

Class B196: What are the requirements?

Requirements for extending Class B to Class A1 vehicles are:

5 years of previous ownership of Class B
Minimum age 25 years
Driver training

The driver training course consists of nine 90-minute instruction units (6 hours of theory, 7.5 hours of practical). The authorization is entered on your driver’s license using the code number 196. It is only valid in Germany.

Motorcycle license: How long is it valid?

Motorcycle licenses issued after January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years (including extensions, exchanges, or replacements). Those who obtained their license before January 19, 2013, must observe the staggered validity period and exchange it according to the expiration schedule. Upon expiration of the validity period, the license will be exchanged upon request without an examination or test.