French Motorcycle License: Full Guide A1, A2, A (2026)

Getting a motorcycle license in France is a structured but demanding process. Between the theory exam, the off-road skills test (known as the “plateau”) and the on-road riding test, there’s a lot to navigate. This guide walks you through every stage, from registration to your first ride, with real costs, pass rates and the latest regulatory changes for 2025-2026.

Which motorcycle license category should you choose?

France has three motorcycle license categories, each tied to a power limit and minimum age.

The A1 license is available from age 16. It allows you to ride lightweight motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 125 cc and a power output capped at 11 kW (15 hp). It’s an ideal starting point for younger riders or anyone looking to begin on a manageable machine.

The A2 license is the standard pathway for the vast majority of riders. Available from age 18, it permits motorcycles up to 35 kW (47.5 hp). This is the most common route: you learn on a manageable bike, pay less for insurance, and gain access to all motorcycles two years later.

The A license removes all power restrictions. You don’t need to retake a full exam. Instead, you must hold an A2 license for at least two years and then complete a 7-hour supplementary training course (known as the “passerelle” or bridge training). You can start this training up to 3 months before the second anniversary of your A2.

For 90% of candidates, the ideal path is straightforward: A2 at 18, then upgrade to A at 20.

How much does a motorcycle license cost in France?

Budget is a key consideration. Here are the average price ranges in 2026:

ETM (motorcycle theory test): 30 euros per sitting (government-regulated fee), plus preparation costs
A1 license: 700 to 1,200 euros for a full training package
A2 license: 1,000 to 1,500 euros for a standard 20-hour package
Additional riding hours: 40 to 60 euros per hour depending on the region (up to 70 euros in major cities)
A2-to-A bridge training: 250 to 350 euros for the 7-hour course
Riding gear: 350 to 600 euros for entry-level equipment (helmet, gloves, jacket, boots)

All in, for an A2 license including gear, expect to spend between 1,600 and 2,600 euros. Prices vary significantly by region and riding school.

CPF funding is now restricted

The French government’s 2026 Finance Act, enacted on February 19, 2026, effectively ended CPF (Personal Training Account) funding for motorcycle licenses for most employees. Only job seekers can now use CPF credits for a motorcycle license, capped at 900 euros. Employed individuals can only access CPF funding if their employer co-finances the training (minimum 100 euros contribution).

Other financial support options remain available: the “permis à 1 euro par jour” (interest-free loan for ages 15-25, ranging from 600 to 1,200 euros), regional grants, and instalment payment plans offered by most riding schools.

Step 1: the Motorcycle Theory Exam (ETM)

The motorcycle theory test is where everything begins. Even if you already hold a car driving license, you must pass the ETM, a motorcycle-specific exam introduced in March 2020.

The test is taken on a tablet: 40 questions focused exclusively on motorcycle riding, safety and two-wheeler specifics. You need at least 35 correct answers out of 40, leaving a margin of just 5 errors. The fee is 30 euros per attempt.

In 2023, the ETM pass rate stood at 74.2%, down slightly from 75.9% the previous year. Allow 2 to 4 weeks of serious preparation. Once passed, the ETM is valid for 5 years.

Step 2: the off-road test (the “plateau”)

The plateau is the exam that makes candidates most nervous, and the statistics back this up: the pass rate hovers around 62-64%, making it the most selective stage of the entire process.

The test lasts approximately 10 minutes. Candidates must complete a full course in a single continuous sequence, combining low-speed and high-speed exercises:

Moving the motorcycle without the engine: pushing and manoeuvring the bike by hand to demonstrate control of its weight
Low-speed handling: weaving between cones, U-turns, precision stops. Balance and clutch control are everything
Emergency braking: at a minimum speed of 50 km/h, you must stop within a designated zone. This is a life-saving skill in real-world conditions
Obstacle avoidance: again at 50 km/h, swerving around an obstacle without braking in the avoidance zone

The course direction is drawn at random (two mirror-image variants). You get two attempts: if you fail the first (fall, wrong route, too many feet down), you get a second chance. Be warned: a fall on the second attempt ends the exam immediately.

Grading runs from A (satisfactory) to C (insufficient). You need at least an overall A or B to pass.

Required gear on exam day

Your equipment is checked before the test begins. Missing any of these items means you’ll be turned away:

Approved helmet (ECE 22.06 or NF standard) with reflective strips, properly fastened
CE-certified gloves
Jacket or long-sleeved top (avoid lightweight synthetic materials)
Full-length trousers
Ankle-covering boots or high-top shoes

Tip: always train in the same gear you’ll wear on exam day. Stiff new gloves or unfamiliar boots can affect your precision.

Step 3: the on-road riding test

This is the final hurdle. Since November 1, 2025, the on-road test has been shortened from 40 to 32 minutes, aligning it with the car driving test duration. This reform addresses chronic exam backlogs: over 90 departments exceeded the legal 45-day waiting period, and inspector shortages were paralysing the system.

The test includes roughly 5 minutes of autonomous riding, 25 minutes of radio-guided riding and 2 minutes of briefing. The examiner follows in a car and assesses your ability to ride safely among other road users: anticipation, road positioning, visual checks, priority compliance, and speed adaptation.

The test begins with a basic eyesight check (reading a number plate at 20 metres). Certain errors result in immediate failure: crossing a solid line, running a red light or stop sign, or failing to check a blind spot when it creates an immediate danger.

The pass rate for the on-road test is far more reassuring than the plateau: approximately 85% in 2024. If you fail, you retain the benefit of your plateau result for 3 years, with up to 5 attempts at the on-road test.

Minimum training requirements

French law mandates a minimum of 20 hours of practical training for the A2 license: 8 hours on the plateau and 12 hours on the road. If you already hold an A1 license, this drops to 15 hours.

Important: those 20 hours are a legal minimum, not a target. In practice, many candidates need 25 to 35 hours to be genuinely ready. Only present yourself for the exam when you’re consistently succeeding in practice sessions.

The A2-to-A bridge course: how does it work?

Two years after obtaining your A2 license, you can take the 7-hour bridge course to upgrade to the full A license (unrestricted power). The course covers three areas: classroom theory, plateau exercises and on-road riding.

You can begin the course up to 3 months before the second anniversary of your A2. For example, if you obtained your A2 on August 1, 2024, you can start from May 1, 2026. There’s no exam as such: it’s an awareness training. The school then submits a certificate to the ANTS (National Agency for Secure Documents), which updates your license.

How to choose a riding school

Your choice of riding school can make or break your experience. Here’s what to check before signing up:

Pass rates: available on the official road safety website (autoecoles.securite-routiere.gouv.fr)
Average number of hours students need (not just the legal minimum)
Condition and age of the training motorcycles
Instructor qualifications and familiarity with recent reforms
Payment flexibility and pricing transparency
Qualiopi certification, required for CPF-funded training

Key changes for 2025-2026

The French motorcycle license system is evolving. Here are the most significant recent changes:

Since November 1, 2025, the on-road test has been reduced from 40 to 32 minutes. The goal is to increase daily exam capacity from 10 to 13 per inspector and reduce waiting times.

The 2026 Finance Act, enacted on February 19, 2026, severely restricts CPF funding for motorcycle licenses. Funding is now limited to job seekers and employees with employer co-financing.

The potential removal of the 12 oral topic cards from the plateau exam is under consideration, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

Additionally, the Road Safety Directorate (DSR) is exploring reforms to the immediate-failure error system on the plateau, which many training professionals consider overly punitive.

To sum up

The French motorcycle license process is demanding but well-structured. Three exams mark the journey: the motorcycle theory test (ETM), the off-road skills test (plateau) and the on-road riding test. The total budget ranges from 1,600 to 2,600 euros including gear, and most candidates need 2 to 4 months of training. The plateau remains the most feared stage with a pass rate of around 63%, while the on-road test sits at a reassuring 85%. The most important advice: don’t confuse the legal minimum of 20 hours with the number of hours you actually need. Take the time to be properly prepared, and you’ll soon join the French riding community.

AI-generated illustration