Motorcycle licence: A1 or 125 (light motorcycle)
Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
To drive light motorcycle or a 3-wheel drive with a power of 15 kW: titleContent maximum, you must have permit A1 (says permit 125). What's the minimum age? How do I register, take exams (code and conduct) and apply for a permit? We will give you the steps to take to pass the A1 permit.
Step-by-step approach
The A1 licence permits the following vehicles to be driven:
- Light motorcycle (with or without side-car) with a maximum cylinder capacity of 125 cm³, with a power not exceeding 11 kW: titleContentand with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0,1 kW: titleContent/kg
- 3 wheels with a maximum power of 15 kW: titleContent
Age
You must have at least 16 years.
Own ASSR or ASR
If you're under 21 and it's the firstmother class of licence you are issuing, you must hold the 2nd level road safety certificate (ASSR2) or road safety certificate (ASR).
In case of loss or theft of these certificates, you can make a statement on honour.
Citizenship - Citizenship
You are French
If you are under the age of 25, you must be in compliance with the defence and citizenship day (JDC).
You are European
If you are a national of Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco or the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.
You're foreigners
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 have to pass a medical check before applying for a driving licence.
The rates charged by the motorcycle schools are free.
The price of an A1 licence depends on the price charged by your establishment.
Registration to the motorcycle code (ETM) costs €30.
If the code fails, you must repay this amount.
Through a car school
Upon your request, your school will take care of your registration for the permit exam.
However, you must activate the account created on your behalf on theTWO: titleContent.
You receive an email to activate the account.
One harmonised prefectural registration number (HLN) is assigned to you when registering for the exam.
To register, the school needs the following documents, photographed or scanned ::
- Certificate of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 digital photo signature
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For a minor or under legal guardianship, 1 copy of the proof of identity of his legal representative
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- If you are a foreigner, proof of your regular stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)
On your own
You can choose to register for the permit yourself.
One harmonised prefectural registration number (HLN) is assigned to you when registering for the exam.
The online service is accessible with FranceConnect or identifiers TWO: titleContent.
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Prepare the following documents, photographed or scanned ::
- Certificate of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 digital photo signature
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For a minor or under legal guardianship, 1 copy of the proof of identity of his legal representative
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- If you are a foreigner, proof of your regular 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 licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
You must pass successfully theoretical test (ETM or motorcycle code).
You can register in a car school or as a free candidate.
The TA-M addresses traffic rules and driving a motorcycle and good driver behaviour.
You must respond to 40 questions multiple choice.
For pass the TA-M, you must have 35 or more correct answers.
You retain the benefit of the TA-M during 5 years maximum.
The practical test shall include 2 Phases ::
- an out-of-circulation (HC) qualifying test,
- a circulating test (CIR).
The duration of the training is 20 hours minimum, including 8 hours on the runway and 12 hours on the road.
Auto-school must offer you a standard contract for the teaching of driving.
This contract shall specify in particular programme and course of training, price training and administrative services, obligations of each means of payment.
Mandatory equipment
The following equipment is required to pass the practical test:
- Certified Headset
- Approved gloves
- Long sleeve jacket or jacket
- Pants or combination
- Boots or high shoes
Accompanying
Attendants are required for the duration of the tests.
Out of circulation test (HC)
The HC test lasts 10 minutes (12 minutes of the 1to August 2020 to June 30, 2023 inclusive).
The HC test allows to check the level of knowledge and know-how related to your motorcycle (sense of balance, use of controls, techniques of inclination, avoidance, braking...).
The HC test consists of a sequence of 6 manoeuvres ::
- 3 low-speed motorcycle control manoeuvres, including one without engine assistance
- 3 manoeuvres of motorcycle control with higher speed
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 following the HC pass date, provided that the theoretical test is validated (code).
Running Test (CIR)
The CIR test lasts 40 minutes (36 minutes of the 1to August 2020 to June 30, 2023 inclusive).
It allows you to verify that you have acquired the knowledge and behaviours necessary to move safely, without hindering, without surprises and without being surprised.
To be accepted to the CIR test, you must obtain at least 21 points and do not make any eliminatory errors.
Please note
registration on RdvPermit allows book online his appointment for the practical examination driver's licence in the following departments ::
Ain (01), Aisne (02), Allier (03), Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), Hautes-Alpes (05), Alpes-Maritimes (06), Ardèche (07), Ariège (09), Aude (11), Aveyron (12), Bouches-du - Rhône (13), Calvados (14), Cantal (15), Charente (16), Charente-Maritime (17), Cher (18), Corrèze (19), Côtes-d'Armour (22), Creuse (23), Dordogne (24), Drôme (26 ), Eure (27), Eure-et-Loir (28), Finistère (29), Gard (30), Haute-Garonne (31), Gers (32), Gironde (33), Hérault (34), Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Indre (36), Indre et-Loire (37), Isère (38), Landes (40), Loir-et-Cher (41), Loire (42), Haute-Loire (43), Loire-Atlantique (44), Loiret (45), Lot (46), Lot-et-Garonne (47), Lozère (48), Maine-et-Loire (49), Manche (50), Mayenne (53), Morbihan (56), Nord (59), Oise (60), Orne (61), Pas-de-Calais (62), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (6 4), Hautes-Pyrénées (65), Pyrénées-Orientales (66), Rhône (69), Sarthe (72), Savoie (73), Haute-Savoie (74), Paris (75), Seine-Maritime (76), Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (7 8), Deux-Sèvres (79), Somme (80), Tarn (81), Tarn-et-Garonne (82), Var (83), Vaucluse (84), Vendée (85), Vienna (86), Haute-Vienne (87), Essonne (91), Hauts-de-Seine (92), Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Val-de-Marne (94) and Val-d'Oise (95), Guadeloupe (971), Martinique (972), Guyane (973), La Réunion (974), Mayotte (976).
RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
After the practical test, the inspector does not communicate the result orally to you.
You must view online results on the Road Safety website 48 hours after the exam.
If the result is favourable, download your driving licence examination certificate (ECC).
This certificate, together with an identity document, serves as a driving licence for 4 months from the day of the examination.
In case of control of the police, you can present the CEPC paper version or directly on a smartphone or tablet.
The CEPC does not allow driving abroad.
Know and download the results of the driving test
FYI
if you fail a driving test, you cannot take the next test before 2 days (date to date).
To obtain your A1 permit, the process is different if it is your 1mother obtaining a driver's licence or adding a category.
First Permit
Ask your school whether it is taking care of your driving licence or whether it is up to you to ask for it.
If you make the request yourself, the process is done online on theTWO: titleContent.
The online service is accessible with FranceConnect or IDs, in French only.
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
You need the following documents in a scanned version:
- Proof of domicile
- 1 digital photo signature
- If you are under 21, copy ofASSR: titleContent 2nd level orASR: titleContent, or failing (e.g. in case of loss) statement on honour
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- If you are a foreigner, proof of your regular 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 TWO: titleContent
2/ Click on "New request"
3/ Choose the reason for your application "I request the production of a driving licence"
3/ Complete the entries and add the requested supporting documents
4/ Confirm approach
Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Please note
if it's your 1to driver's licence, it is probationary permit. You must sign "A" on the back of your vehicle
Adding category A1 to your licence
If you already have a driver's licence, you must add category A1 on your licence.
You can follow the production and sending of your driving licence online.
The online service is accessible via FranceConnect or with your ID TWO: titleContent , in French only
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Once connected to your space TWO: titleContent, you view your request in the dashboard.
Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Shipping driver's licence is Expert Letter
This is a secure shipment, with hand-over against signature.
- The address that you specify during the online procedure must be the fullest possible
(building number, flat number, mailbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, "resident",...) - Your mailbox shall submit first name of the person receiving the mail.
If you are absent when passing the factor, you must go to the Post Office in 15 days with your notice of passage or with the number of the Expert Letter.
If you could not go to the Post Office within 15 days, you have nothing to do.
Your permit will be sent to you.
In other cases, contactTWO: titleContent via the contact form:
Who shall I contact
By Email
Access to contact form
By phone
34 00
Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Cost of a local call
09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
The validity of a driving licence (driving licence) 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 check to pass.
However, the period of validity of the title may be reduced for health reasons.
The effective date the title shall be indicated at front, line 4b.
The date of validity of certificate should not be confused with the validity of your licence categories.
Thus, even if your licence is valid for only 15 years, your licence category remains valid for life (except individual restrictions).
The dates on which the categories licences shall be back of the permit columns 10 and 11.
In image
Decrypt driver's licence

Driver's licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
Know and download the results of the driving test
Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- School of Driving (self-school, association)
By Email
Access to contact form
By phone
34 00
Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Cost of a local call
09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
- Route Code: sections R221-4 to R221-8Issuance and Categories
- Route Code: sections R221-9 to R221-13Proficiency Check
- Route Code: sections R226-1 to R226-4Medical
- Order of 27 April 2021 concerning the progressive generalisation of a system of nominative reservation of seats for the practical test of the examination of the driving licence A1, A2, B1 and B
- Order of 26 April 2013 concerning the notification of the results of driving licence examinations
- Order of 23 April 2012 laying down practical arrangements for the examination of driving licences in categories A1, A2 and A
- Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the establishment, issue and validity of the driving licence
- Order of 17 December 2010 concerning the requirements for driving light motorcycles and vehicles of category L5e by holders of category B of the driving licence
- Order of 24 June 1992 concerning training for driving motorcycles and light motorcycles
- Driver's licence: find a school near you
Search tools
- Driver's licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
Online service
- RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
Online service
- Know and download the results of the driving test
Online service
- Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Online service
- Driver's Licence - Medical Notice
Form
- Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Online service
FAQ
- Can I drive a 3-wheeled scooter or a 125 motorcycle with a B licence?
- Motorcycle licence: How to switch from A2 licence to A licence?
- Is unridden motorcycle allowed?
- At what age can you drive a scooter or a motorcycle?
- Mini motorcycle, quad bike: what rules for reporting and driving?
- Application for a driver's licence: what ID can be presented?
- How do I get a new category added to my driver's licence?
- Driver's licence: how to pass the code (common theoretical test or GSS)?
- Which licence for which category of vehicles?
- Traffic offencesService-Public.fr
- Motorcycle licence: A2 (intermediate power motorcycle)Service-Public.fr
- Motorcycle licence: permit A (large displacement greater than 125 cm3)Service-Public.fr
- Mandatory motorcycle equipmentService-Public.fr
- Declaration of Honour to Obtain a 1st Driving Licence (PDF - 78.2 KB)National Secured Securities Agency (ANTS)
- Model contract for the teaching of drivingLegifrance
- Make an appointment online for the practical driving testMinistry of the Interior
- New motorcycle licence from March 2020 (PDF - 2.7 MB)Ministry of the Interior