For many bikers, riding a motorcycle is more than just a means of transportation. It is a way of life. But to ensure that you can ride your motorcycle safely and, above all, legally on the road, you need a motorcycle license. You can choose between different classes when purchasing your license.
Whether it's a light scooter, a small bike with up to 125 cc or a heavy two-wheeler - with a motorcycle driving license, you decide which motorcycle you are allowed to ride on the road. What license categories are there and when can you get a motorcycle license? Find out in our guide.
In Germany from the age of 15, for trips abroad - not before the 16th birthday.
Light two-wheeled motor vehicles, maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour and a rated power/useful power of no more than 4 kW. The cubic capacity of the combustion engine must not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.
Three-wheeled mopeds: Maximum of two seats, maximum design speed of no more than 45 km/h, maximum rated power of 4 kW. Unladen mass must not exceed 270 kg. Spark-ignition engine with a cubic capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters or a compression-ignition engine of no more than 500 cc or another form of propulsion.
Light road quads (four-wheeled), rated power not exceeding 4 kW. Four-wheeled light motor vehicles, with useful power/nominal power not exceeding 6 kW, no more than two seats, maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h, maximum unladen mass of 425 kg, with spark-ignition engine not exceeding 50 cc, compression-ignition engine with cylinder capacity of up to 500 cc or another form of propulsion.
Motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cubic centimeters. The engine power of these small "motorcycles" may not exceed 11 kW with a power/empty weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg, three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 15 kW.
The power of the motorcycle must not exceed 35 kW and a power/empty weight ratio of 0.2 kW/kg. Alternatively: a motorcycle that is throttled to a maximum of 70 kW (95 hp). The power must not exceed 35 kW.
All motorcycles and motor vehicles with three wheels. If you would like to obtain a driving license in this category directly, you must be at least 24 years old. For three-wheeled vehicles with a power output of more than 15 kW, you must be 21 years or older. If you have held category A2 for at least two years, the minimum age is 20. This includes categories AM, A1 and A2.
Before you can conquer the roads on a motorcycle, you first have to take a driving lesson. For each class, 12 hours of 90-minute basic lessons are mandatory. If you have not yet obtained another driving license, four additional hours are added.
At the same time, you can start practical training in all classes. Exactly how many driving lessons you need depends on your individual abilities. The compulsory part consists of twelve special rides.
Motorcycle driving license newcomers usually need around ten practice rides in addition to the twelve special rides. You should therefore expect to take around 20 to 30 driving lessons. Depending on how well you drive and how much time you can invest, training for a motorcycle driving license takes between six weeks and six months.
If you have a category B driving license, i.e. a car driving license, you are allowed to drive mopeds. They may not have an engine capacity of more than 50 cc. Now it depends on when you got your car driver's license. If the test took place between April 1, 1980 and January 18, 2013, the driving license includes the driving license for three-wheeled motor vehicles (trikes) up to 15 kW.
Class 3 car driving licenses were issued until 1999. They allow you to drive mopeds with a maximum speed of 45 km/h, an output of up to 5.5 hp/4 kW and a maximum engine capacity of 50 cc. If the test was taken before April 1, 1980, you have also acquired driving license category A1. If you would like to enter category A2, only a practical driving test is required.
With a category B driving license, since January 2020 it has been possible to acquire the B196 driving license extension at a driving school with a special course. This allows you to ride motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc. The extension is therefore equivalent to a category A1 motorcycle license. You must be at least 25 years old and have held a car driving license for at least five years.
Please note: The extension does not count as a real motorcycle driving license. If you want to acquire category A2 or higher later, it cannot be credited. Furthermore, it is not valid abroad.