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Motorcycle license: A1 license or 125 license (light motorcycle)

Verified 01 March 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

To drive a light motorcycle or a 3-wheel 15-power kW: titleContent maximum, you must have the A1 permit (said permit 125). What's the minimum age? How to register, take exams (code and conduct) and apply for a permit? We tell you the steps to follow to pass the A1 license.

Step-by-step approach

The A1 license allows the following vehicles to be driven:

  • Light motorcycle (with or without side-car) of a maximum cylinder capacity of 125 cm³, of a power not exceeding 11 kW: titleContentand with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0,1 kW: titleContent/kg
  • 3 wheels with a maximum power of 15 kW: titleContent

FYI  

the license B permits driving a motorcycle 125 or a scooter with 3 wheels under conditions.

Age

You must have at least 16 yrs.

Own the ASR or ASR

If you are under 21 and it is 1era category of license you pass, you must hold the 2nd level road safety school certificate (ASSR2) or the Road Safety Certificate (RSC).

In case of loss or theft of these certificates, you can make a declaration of honor.

Citizenship - Nationality

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You're French

If you are under 25 years of age, you must be in compliance with the obligations of the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC).

You're European

If you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national of the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have had your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.

You're a foreigner

You must have lived in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.

Health status

If you have a health problem, you need to take a medical examination before applying for a driving license.

The rates charged by motorcycle schools are free.

The price of an A1 license therefore depends on the price charged by your establishment.

Registration for the motorcycle code (ETM) costs €30.

If the code fails, you must repay this amount.

Through a driving school

At your request, your driving school will take care of your registration for the examination of the license.

However, you must activate yourself the account created in your name on the websiteANTS: titleContent.

You receive an email to activate the account.

One harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH) is assigned to you when you register for the exam.

To register, the driving school needs the following documents, in photographic or digitized version :

  • If you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)
By yourself

You can choose to register yourself for the license.

One harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH) is assigned to you when you register for the exam.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

Prepare the following documents, in photographic or digitized version :

  • If you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)

Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)

You must pass a motorcycle test (ETM or motorcycle code).

You can register in a driving school or as a free candidate.

The ETM is about traffic rules and driving of a motorcycle and on the good driver behavior.

You must respond to 40 questions multiple choice.

For pass the ETM, you must have 35 or more correct responses.

You keep the benefit of the ETM during Maximum 5 years.

The practical test shall comprise 2 phases :

  • an admissibility test (HC),
  • a test in circulation (CIR).

The duration of the training is 20 hours minimum, including 8 hours on the runway and 12 hours on the road.

The driving school must offer you a  standard driving education contract.

That contract shall specify in particular the program and the course of training, on price training and administrative services, obligations of each, the means of payment.

PermitApr is a platform for the nominal reservation of seats for the practical test driver's license.

You choose the examination center, date and time slot, according to your trainer and your training schedule.

Once logged in with the credentials provided by your driving school, you can follow the steps made by the school (appointment booking...).

Online reservation of a place to take the practical test of the driving license (RdvPermit)

Mandatory equipment

The following equipment is required to pass the practical test:

  • Certified helmet
  • Certified gloves
  • Long-sleeved jacket or jacket
  • Pants or jumpsuit
  • Boots or Rising Shoes

Accompanying Person

An accompanying person must be present throughout the tests.

Non-circulation test (HC)

The HC test lasts 10 minutes (12 minutes from 1er august 2020 to june 30, 2023 inclusive).

The HC test makes it possible to check the level of knowledge and know-how relating to your motorcycle (sense of balance, use of controls, inclination techniques, avoidance, braking...).

The HC test is composed of a sequence of 6 maneuvers :

  • 3 low-speed motorcycle control maneuvers, including one without the help of the engine
  • 3 higher-speed motorcycle control maneuvers

You must have passed the HC test to pass the CIR test.

You retain the benefit of this HC test for 5 CIR tests during 3 years which follow the test pass date HC provided that the theoretical test (code) is validated.

Test in circulation (CIR)

The CIR test lasts 40 minutes (36 minutes from 1er august 2020 to june 30, 2023 inclusive).

It allows you to check that you have acquired the knowledge and behaviors necessary to circulate safely, without embarrassing, without surprising and without being surprised.

To be accepted in the CIR test, you must obtain at least 21 points and do not make a eliminatory error.

After the practical test, the inspector does not give you the result orally.

You must view results online on the Road Safety website 48 hours after examination.

If the result is favorable, you can download your Driver's License Examination Certificate (CRC).

This certificate, accompanied by an identity document, serves as a driving license during 4 months from the day of the examination.

In case of control of law enforcement, you can present the CPTC in hard copy or directly on a smartphone or tablet.

The CRC does not allow driving abroad.

To know and download the results of the driving license examination

FYI  

if you fail a driving test, you cannot take the next test before a period of 2 days (date to date).

To obtain your A1 license, the process is different if it is your 1era obtaining a driving license or adding a category.

First license

Ask your driving school if it is taking care of asking for your driving license or if it is up to you to ask for it.

If you apply for it yourself, it's done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.

The on-line service is accessible with FranceConnect or with your ANTS identifiers, in French only.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents in digital format:

  • If you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)

Steps to follow :

1/ Sign in or create an account ANTS: titleContent

2/ Click on "New request"

3/ Choose the reason for your request "I request the production of a driving license"

3/ Complete the entries and add the required supporting documents

4/ Confirm the approach

Online application for a driving license following the passing of an examination

Please note

if it's your 1er driver's license, this is a probationary permit. You must put the sign "A" on the back of your vehicle

Adding category A1 to your license

If you already have a driver's license, you must have category A1 added on your license.

You can follow online the manufacture and sending of your driving license.

The online service is accessible via FranceConnect or with your credentials ANTS: titleContent , in French only.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

Once connected to your space ANTS: titleContent, you view your request in the dashboard.

Track the progress of your driving license application

The period of validity of a driving license (driving license) in format credit card is 15 years.

At the end of this period, renewal is a simple administrative process: there is no driving test or medical examination to be taken.

However, the period of validity of the certificate may be reduced for health reasons.

The effective end date of the title is indicated in front, at the line 4b.

The date of validity of the certificate should not be confused with the validity of your license categories.

Thus, even if your license is valid for only 15 years, your license category remains valid for life (unless individually restricted).

The dates on which the categories of permits are set out in back the permit, columns 10 and 11.

In image

Decrypt driving license
Illustration - Decrypt driving license - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie

Decrypt driving license

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Decrypt driving license - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Crédits: Service Public (DILA)Infographie - Decrypt driving license

The infographic explains the information on the driving license:

Front of the driving license:

1. Name of holder

2. Surname of the holder

3. Date and place of birth of holder

4a. Date of issue of the certificate

4b. End date of validity of the security

4c. Issuing authority

5. Title number

7. Signature of the holder

9. Categories of permits

Unnumbered legend: symbol and name of the State which issued the driving license

Reverse side of the permit:

9. Categories of permits

10. Date of 1re issue of each category of permit

11. Expiry date of each license category

12. Restrictive codes. For example: 01.01 for glasses

Unnumbered Legend: File Number (NEPH Number)

Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)

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