Which license for which category of vehicles?
Verified 17 January 2023 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
What license to drive a motorcycle 125? A quad? A van? We will tell you which license to have for each vehicle category.
The following licenses authorize the driving of a moped :
- Road safety certificate (BSR) corresponding to category AM of the driving license
- Or any category of driving license
However, you do not need a permit if you were born before 1988.
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Motorcycle 125 light
The following licenses authorize the driving of a light motorcycle :
Intermediate power motorcycle
Large engine capacity regardless of power
The A permit allows the driving of a motorcycle, with or without side-car, regardless of its power.
License A may get trained (7 hours) after 2 years of detention category A2.
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Vehicle of category L5e with a maximum power output of 15 kW
3-wheeled vehicle, equipped with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cm³. Maximum speed greater than 45 km/h. Unladen weight less than or equal to 1000 kg
The following licenses authorize the driving of a L5e vehicle with a power of 15 kW: titleContent maximum (20 ch: titleContent):
- A1 Permit
- Or A2 permit
- Or A permit
- Or B permit subject to conditions
- Or B1 permit obtained before 19 january 2013
Vehicle of category L5e with a power output exceeding 15 kW
3-wheeled vehicle, equipped with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cm³. Maximum speed greater than 45 km/h. Unladen weight less than or equal to 1000 kg
The following licenses authorize the driving of a L5e vehicle more than 15 power kW: titleContent (20 ch: titleContent):
The following licenses authorize the driving of a light motor quadricycle (cart):
- Road safety certificate (BSR) corresponding to category AM of the driving license
- Or any category of driving license
However, you do not need a permit if you were born before 1988.
kW: titleContent
The following licenses authorize the driving of a heavy-duty motor quad :
- B1 license
- B Permit
- A Permit obtained before 19 january 2013
- A1 Permit obtained before 19 january 2013
Without trailer
The B-permit authorizes the driving of a vehicle (car or van) which has the following 3 characteristics:
- Used for the transport of persons or goods
- PTAC less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- Maximum 9 seating positions (driver included)
With trailer
The following licenses authorize the operation of a passenger vehicle: category B (car, van) coupled to a trailer:
Weight of trailer | Permit required |
|---|---|
750 kg maximum | |
| |
| B license with additional entry 96) (96 is obtained by following a 7-hour training course) |
| |
Trailer of more than 3.5 tons of PTAC: titleContent |
In image
License B, B96, BE: what difference to tow a trailer?
Without trailer
The B-permit authorizes the driving of a motorhome which has the following 3 characteristics:
- Assigned to the transportation of persons
- PTAC less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- Maximum 9 seating positions (driver included)
With trailer
The following licenses authorize the operation of a passenger vehicle: category B (camper of up to 3,5 tons) coupled with a trailer:
Weight of trailer | Permit required |
|---|---|
750 kg maximum | |
| |
| B license with additional entry 96) (96 is obtained by following a 7-hour training course) |
| |
Trailer of more than 3.5 tons of PTAC: titleContent |
In image
License B, B96, BE: what difference to tow a trailer?
The following licenses authorize the operation of a motorhome over 3.5 tons (less than 7.5 tons):
If you are driving abroad, code 79 must be affixed to the driving license (motorhome/motorhome code including the PTAC exceeds 3,5 tons).
Warning
You may not drive a motorhome of more than 3.5 tons with the following B licenses:
- B license issued on or after January 20, 1975
- B permit issued before January 20, 1975, invalidated or canceled after that date
- B permit issued before 20 January 1975 obtained by exchange of a permit issued by another State (European (or not) where the exchange took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the validation of a professional diploma when this validation took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the conversion of a military driving license where the conversion took place after January 20, 1975
The following licenses authorize the operation of a truck including PTAC: titleContent is between 3,5 and 7,5 tons:
- C1 Permit or C-permit if the TCCA of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg
- C1E Permit if the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kg
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9-seater bus or bus (including driver)
The following licenses authorize the driving of a bus or coach 9 placesincluding driver:
- D Permit
- DRIVING LICENSE if there is a trailer with PTAC: titleContent exceeds 750 kg
17-seater bus or bus (including driver)
The following licenses authorize the driving of a bus or coach 17 places, including the driver, and Maximum length 8 m :
- D1 Permit
- D1 Permit if there is a trailer with PTAC: titleContent is 750 kg maximum
- D1E Permit if there is a trailer with a PTAC exceeding 750 kg
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Vehicle attached to an agricultural or forestry holding, ETA or Cuma
ETA: establishment of agricultural works
Cuma: cooperative for the use of agricultural equipment
You do not need to have a license to drive a vehicle or an agricultural or forestry appliance if the 3 conditions the following are completed:
- The vehicle is attached to a holding agricultural or forestry, ETA: titleContent or to a Cuma: titleContent
- You have 16 years or older
- You drive during the exercise of the activity agricultural or forestry
Vehicle with a maximum speed of 40 km/h
The B-permit authorizes the driving of an agricultural or forestry vehicle or apparatus, or equivalent vehicle, the speed of which is 40 km/h maximum.
Vehicle with a speed exceeding 40 km/h
The following licenses authorize the driving of an agricultural or forestry vehicle or apparatus, or similar vehicle, the speed of which is greater than 40 km/h :
- Permit C
- Or EC permit
- Or C1 permit
- Or C1E permit
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Directive 2006/126 of 20 December 2006 on driving licenses
- Highway Code: Articles L221-1 A to L221-10Driving a tractor (section L221-2)
- Highway Code: Articles R221-4 to R221-8Categories of driving licenses
- Highway Code: Articles R311-1 to D311-4Vehicle categories (Article R311-1)
- Order of 17 January 2013 on the training required for holders of category B for the driving of an assembly whose sum of PTACs is between 3500 and 4250 kg
- Order of 8 November 2012 laying down the conditions for obtaining a road safety certificate corresponding to category AM of the driving license
- Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the issue, issue and validity of driving licensesAnnex 2 (equivalencies between old and current license categories)
- Ministerial reply of 12 January 2021 on the operation of tractors and other agricultural machinery
- Ministerial Response of 29 December 2020 on the minimum age for issuing license B
- Ministerial reply of 15 September 2020 on the rules of conduct for agricultural equipment
FAQ
- What do the codes added to the B permit mean?
- Which vehicles can be driven with the B license?
- Motorcycle license: how to switch from A2 to A license?
- At what age can you drive a scooter or motorcycle?
- How do I get a new category added to your driver's license?
- Can you drive a 3-wheel scooter or a 125 motorcycle with the B license?
- Which vehicles can be driven without a driving license?
- Licensed driving schoolMinistry of the Interior
- Obligations and benefits of accredited schoolsMinistry of the Interior