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There are four cards depending on the power of the motorcycle and the age of the driver
It has always been said that a motorcycle in a big city is an advantage to move more smoothly than in a car, but now in summer, even more so. Now, if you want to experience what it feels like to be in the headwind on two wheels, you’ll first need to pass a series of tests. There are four types of motorcycle license required by the DGT, but with some exceptions.
Starting from the basis that some require both theoretical and practical tests, you should know that these are done in stages depending on the power of the motorcycle and the experience of the rider. Even so, you should know that article 4 of the General Regulations for Drivers sets out everything related to the driving license and the types of motorcycle license: AM, A1, A2 and A.
Here you have everything you need to know about each of the cards:
AM license: mopeds up to 50 cc
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It allows you to drive mopeds up to 50 cc (those with yellow license plates), whether they are two- or three-wheeled and light quadricycles. The minimum age of drivers who want to be tested and drive a motorcycle of the said cylinder capacity must be 15 years. Unlike a few years ago, there is no longer an age limit to take a passenger (before you had to be at least 18 years old).
In order to have the AM card, you need to pass a psychotechnical test, a specific theory test for motorcycles and another practical test on a closed circuit, in which you have to circulate between two lines of a specific width and then perform a zigzag between milestones at a reduced speed that allows you to show that you control the moped.
When taking the test, you can choose between taking the test with a geared or automatic moped. Little advice: it is better to get this license from the motorcycle with gears, since if you get it with the automatic you will only be able to drive this type of moped.
Bearing in mind that taking the DGT theory exam costs 30 euros and that the practical one involves 92.20 euros in fees, obtaining the AM card could be around 200 euros as long as you pass both tests in the first one and take about five practical classes ( if you have not taken a motorcycle before you may need more).
A1 license: valid to drive motorcycles of 125 cc and up to 15 CV
The A1 motorcycle license allows you to drive motorcycles (including a sidecar) with a maximum displacement of 125 cubic centimeters and a maximum power of 11 kW (about 15 hp). However, they are not the only conditions, since it only allows you to drive motorcycles that have a maximum power/weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg. The A1 license also allows you to drive:
- Motor tricycles whose maximum power does not exceed 15 kW (20 hp).
- Two and three wheel mopeds.
- Light quadricycles and vehicles for people with reduced mobility.
Along with all of the above, article 5.7 of the General Regulations for Drivers also allows people who have a valid B (car) license and for more than three years to drive class A1 motorcycles.
The requirements to have this permit is that the driver must be at least 16 years old. You will also have to pass a series of tests: pass the psychotechnical test, a general exam (the same as the one for the car license), a specific motorcycle exam, a closed circuit exam with a balance part and a speed part, and another traffic.
The price of the theoretical exams is 30 euros plus the 90.20 euros of the DGT fees. Keep in mind that this time you will have to practice on the circuit and also on the open road, so the cost in both time and money will be greater.
The exam is longer and more complicated than in the case of the AM card since even if you pass the first part of the closed circuit, if you fail the fast circuit, you will have to re-examine both. So that you can calculate what this means, the DGT fees allow you to take the exam twice.
Before starting the maneuvers, you must demonstrate skill in handling the motorcycle since you must remove its support and walk with it in perfect balance. After this, the maneuvers begin, which are:
- Maneuver A. Zigzag between milestones at reduced speed.
- Maneuver B. Circular on a limited width strip.
- Maneuver C. Zigzag between cones.
- Maneuver D. Avoid an obstacle.
- Maneuver E. Controlled acceleration and braking.
- Maneuver F. Controlled emergency braking.
If the examiner considers that you have passed this part, you will go on to take the test open to traffic. You will be indicated a route in which the examiner will accompany you in another vehicle, and through an intercom he will mark the guidelines.
The third time you will have to re-examine yourself and, therefore, you will have to pay the fees again. If you can get it the first time, and with about ten practical classes, the price for getting the A1 card can be between 400 and 500 euros.
A2 license: motorcycles with a maximum of 47 hp
If you are looking for a motorcycle more powerful than the limit established by the A1 motorcycle license, you have to go through the A2 license process, a type of driving license that cannot be applied for before the age of 18. From this year, 250 cc motorcycles are included.
With the A2 motorcycle license you can drive motorcycles (including the sidecar) with a maximum power of 35 kW (47.2 CV) and a power/weight ratio of 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle with more than double its power.
This means that, for example, if a motorcycle has a power of 94 CV, we could limit it to driving with the A2 license. In fact, many brands release models close to this power to reach a greater number of customers.
On the contrary, if we had a 120 hp motorcycle, we could not drive it with the A2 license. This has nothing to do with the cubic capacity of the motorcycle: there is a false belief that with the A2 license you cannot drive motorcycles of more than 500 cc, but this is a mistake, yes you can. There are several models on the market close to 900 cc that can be driven with this license.
To get the A2 card, the process you have to go through is the same as with the A1 card. Even those who have a car license, the one for class B, will be able to validate the general theoretical exam, which saves money and time. However, they will have to do the specific theory, the practical circuit and the circulation.
As the size of the bikes with the A1 and A2 license vary, the measurements of the closed circuit tests will also change.
As for the price of the A2 card, it will be very similar to the one we gave as a reference with the A1, although due to its greater complication, it is normal for the final price to be more than 500 euros. Everything will depend on the skill you have with the motorcycle and how your nerves affect you on the day of the exam.
License A: you can drive all the motorcycles
The motorcycle license A is one of the cheapest (it can be around 300 euros) despite the fact that with it you can drive any type of model, regardless of its power or cylinder capacity. It may even be the easiest of all since you do not have to go through the tedious process of theoretical and practical exams.
Actually, it has a trick because before we got it we had to approve the A2 card. There is no other way to get the A card. Among the requirements to obtain it are: being at least 20 years old and having at least two years of experience with the A2 card.
Of course, with this permission we will also include the AM and the A1. Finally, with the A license we will also have the right to carry motor tricycles whose maximum power exceeds 15 kW (20 CV), although for this it is necessary to be 21 years old or older.
In addition to having the A2, to get the A card it is necessary to go through a 9-hour theoretical-practical course and take the psychotechnical test again (between 20 and 30 euros).