Driving the motorcycle of your dreams is not as easy as you imagine . Depending on its characteristics you will need a certain type of driving license and to obtain it you will have to be not only of a minimum age , but in some cases up to a certain seniority in lower permits .
Index of contents
What motorcycle license do I need?
Currently in Spain there are 5 types of motorcycle license : AM, A1, A2 and A. In addition, you have the B permit, the lifetime car license, which also enables you to drive the same vehicles as the AM and A1 licenses. . Of course, you must prove a seniority of 3 years.
Types of Spanish moped license
AM moped license
The AM card is the one that replaced the one known, until the last reform of the General Regulations for Drivers, as the Moped Permit . This license allows anyone who is at least 15 years old to drive 2 or 3-wheel mopeds and light quadricycles with an engine of up to 50 cc, “although it may be limited to driving 3-wheel mopeds and light quadricycles”, according to current law. But even though you have just turned 15 years old and you are legally qualified to drive one of these vehicles, you will not be able to transport passengers until you are 18 years old.
tests to perform
All those who want to get the AM card must demonstrate that they are capable of driving one of these vehicles and pass several tests:
- Submit to a Psychophysical Aptitude test.
- Knowledge Control theory test: specific.
- Practical test of Control of Aptitudes and Behaviors: closed circuit.
How much does it cost to get the moped license or AM Permit?
Traffic fees are €88.50, the same as for taking the exam for any other license, and the price of the course to obtain a moped permit varies depending on the driving school. As a guide, if you do not need more practical classes than the essential ones, it can cost around €300 (VAT included).
Types of motorcycle license in Spain
Now, driving a motorcycle, even if it is low displacement, already requires that you have a motorcycle license. There are 3 different types and depending on different factors and the type of motorcycle you want to drive, you will have to get one or the other.
A1 motorcycle license
The A1 motorcycle license is the most basic that exists within this category. Possessing this license entitles you to drive motorcycles without a sidecar up to 125cc having a maximum power of 11kW and a power/weight ratio of 0.1kW/kg. In addition, it also allows you to drive tricycles with an engine that does not exceed 15 kW of power. To be eligible for it, you must be over 16 years of age . Obtaining this card means the immediate validation of the AM card that allows you to drive mopeds.
tests to perform
- Undergo a Psychophysical Aptitude test .
- Knowledge Control theoretical test : common and specific.
- Practical test of Control of Aptitudes and Behaviors : closed circuit and roads open to traffic. In this last test, the applicant will be examined driving the motorcycle without a companion and will receive the examiner’s instructions through an intercom . For his part, the examiner will go in an escort vehicle together with the student’s teacher.
The tests are exclusive , that is to say, the completion of the circuit test requires prior passing of the theoretical ones and, for its part, taking the exam on roads open to traffic requires prior passing of the closed circuit exam.
How much does it cost to get the A1 card?
Traffic fees are €88.50 and the price of the course to obtain the A1 license varies depending on the driving school, but as a guide if you do not need more practical classes than the essential ones, it can cost around €400 (VAT ). included).
A2 motorcycle license
Obtaining the A2 motorcycle license requires that the driver has reached the age of 18 . This license authorizes to drive motorcycles, with or without sidecar, with a maximum power of 35 kW, about 47 CV , and a power/weight ratio of at most 0.2 kW/kg . As with the A1 card, being in possession of this license automatically validates the lower types, AM and A1.
tests to perform
The tests that must be passed are the same as those established for the A1 license, but there is a caveat. Those who want to obtain the A2 motorcycle license but already have the A1 permit will be exempt from taking the specific and general knowledge control test , as long as 2 years have not elapsed since passing the test, as reflected Article 54 of the Law on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety.
- Submit to a Psychophysical Aptitude test.
- Knowledge Control theory test: common and specific.
- Practical test of Control of Aptitudes and Behaviors: closed circuit and roads open to traffic. To carry out this last test, it is an essential requirement to have passed those carried out in a closed circuit.
How much does it cost to get the A2 card?
The traffic fees are €88.50 and the price of the course to obtain the A2 license varies depending on the driving school, but as a guide if you do not need more practical classes than the essential ones, it can cost around €400 (VAT). included).
Motorcycle license A
This license , which is just over 3 years old, is the most demanding and complicated to obtain and allows you to drive any type of motorcycle, with no power limit or power/weight limitation . In order to access it, it is necessary to be at least 20 years old , have at least 2 years of experience in the A2 permit and pass a training course whose terms are established by Order of the Ministry of the Interior. Of course, the driver must wait until he is 21 years old to be able to drive motor tricycles with a power greater than 15kW.
tests to perform
As specified in article 5.4 of the General Drivers Regulations, all those who want to apply for the A motorcycle license must take a course of 9 teaching hours distributed in theoretical and practical knowledge:
- Theoretical knowledge . It is divided into 2 parts: one of general theory and another of awareness and sensitization lasting an hour and a half each, a total of 3 hours of course.
- Practical knowledge . It consists of 2 tests: the first will consist of 4 hours of maneuvers in a closed circuit and the second will consist of 2 hours of circulation on roads open to traffic. These tests will be carried out on a motorcycle without a sidecar of at least 600 cc and 40kW of power.
How much does it cost to get the A card?
To get the A card, you have to pay traffic fees that have a reduced amount of €27.10 and carry out the rest of the process through a driving school. The cost of the driving school can be around €350 (VAT included).
The B car license also allows you to drive motorcycles
Another permit that can qualify you to drive a motorcycle is the B card , intended for driving cars. Having this license does not authorize to drive motorcycles with or without sidecar, but it allows all those who have been older than 3 years to drive vehicles under the same conditions as the A1 motorcycle license , as long as it is done within the territory spanish .
In other words, having more than 3 years of experience driving a car, weighing no more than 3,500 kilos and with a maximum capacity of 8 people, enables you to drive mopeds and motorcycles of up to 125 cc.
Motorcycle accessories to do the practical tests of the license
To carry out the practical tests, the applicant must be equipped with a full-face helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, motorcycle pants and the appropriate protections, which may be integrated into the equipment. In addition, during the tests on roads open to traffic, together with all the previous protection equipment, the student must wear an approved reflective vest with the letter ‘P’ or the word ‘Practices’ inscribed on its back.
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