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

Verified 15 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You want to drive a car light motorcycle and you're wondering how to get through the A1 permit (said permit 125)? We present you the information to know and the steps of the process.

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  

Permit B allows you to drive a motorcycle 125 or 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 have 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.

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Through a driving school

At your request, the 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 your account.

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...).

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive a Driver’s License Registration Certificate (PID)) containing your harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH).

By yourself

Registration for the driving license examination is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Prepare the following documents, in a photographic or scanned 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)

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive a Driver’s License Registration Certificate (PID)) containing your harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH).

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 eligibility test (HC) and an in-use test (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.

The driving school gives you access to a digital learning booklet (training objectives and monitoring your progress).

The driving school reserves a place for you to take the practical test of the driving license on the RdvPermit platform.

In agreement with your instructor and according to your training schedule, you choose the examination center, date and time slot.

Once connected with the identifiers provided by your driving school, you can follow online the steps made by the school (appointment booking...).

Driving license: book a place online to take the practical test of the license

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 allows you to check the level of knowledge and know-how concerning your motorcycle: sense of balance, use of controls, inclination techniques, avoidance, braking...

The HC test lasts 10 minutes.

It 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 the 3 years following the date of passing the HC test provided that the theoretical test (code) is validated.

Test in circulation (CIR)

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

The CIR test lasts 40 minutes.

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

After the practical test, the inspector does not give you the result of the examination orally. You can view the result online the day after the exam.

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

The EPC, accompanied by an identity document, serves as a driver's license for 4 months from the day of the examination. The CEPC is valid only in France. In the case of law enforcement, you can present the CEPC in paper or dematerialized format.

Check the results of your driving license examination online

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.

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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 make the request yourself, it's done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.

You need the following documents in photographic or digitized version:

  • Proof of domicile
  • 1 digital photo-signature. If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
  • If you are under 21 years of age, a copy of theASSR: titleContent of 2nd level orASR: titleContent, or failing this (e.g. in case of loss) declaration of honor
  • If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa no. 14880)
  • Documents relating to the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) if you are french, aged from 17 to 25 years old (unless you have already provided them at the time of registration for the license examination). These shall be the individual certificate of participation in the JDC, or the individual exemption certificate, or the national service status certificate, or the 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...).

Apply online for a driving license following the passing of an exam

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.

One on-line service allows you to track your driver's license application.

Track the progress of a 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, the renewal is a simple administrative procedure : there is no driving test or medical examination to be taken.

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

However, the period of validity of the title may be small for health reasons.

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

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