Category A with code 80
A80 licence in Frankfurt – category A from 21
With the A80 licence you can take category A from as early as 21: until your 24th birthday you ride category A2 motorcycles (up to 35 kW), after that automatically any motorcycle – with no upgrade test. Training and testing take place on the Honda CB650 at our school.
At a glance
Minimum age
21 years
Until 24 you ride
Category A2 motorcycles (up to 35 kW or 48 hp – details below in the FAQ) and three-wheeled motor vehicles (trikes)
From 24
Automatically full category A: any motorcycle with no power limit – no upgrade test and no new application
Included
A2, A1 and AM
Training & test
On the Honda CB650 – a category A bike with a manual gearbox
Theory
12 double lessons of basic theory + 4 double lessons of motorcycle-specific theory (if you already hold another licence, e.g. for a car: only 6 + 4)
Practice
Practice lessons as needed, plus 12 special training rides: 5 on rural roads, 4 on the motorway, 3 at night (if you already hold category A1: 6)
pass rate
A pass rate of over 95 % in the Class A practical tests
Prices
Same as category A: registration €439 (if you already hold category A1: €150)
Your age, your route
Under 21, 21 to 23 or 24 and over?
Under 21
From 18 you can take category A2 – after two years of A2 you can upgrade to unrestricted category A from as early as 20 with one practical test. If you are turning 21 soon and only want to do one course of training, you can also plan for A80: you can take the theory test three months and the practical test one month before your 21st birthday. About category A2
21 to 23
With A80 you take category A straight away: category A2 motorcycles until 24, then automatically full category A – with no upgrade test. You will find an honest comparison with A2 plus an upgrade further down.
From 24
You take category A directly and without restriction – with the same training and the same test. About category A
Code 80 explained
What is the A80 licence?
A80 is not a new licence category but category A with code 80. The Driving Licence Regulations allow category A from as early as 21 (§ 10 FeV). If you take it before your 24th birthday, code 80 is entered on your licence. Its wording in Annex 9 FeV: “Only for holders of a licence for three-wheeled motor vehicles of category A who have not yet reached the age of 24.”
Until 24, category A itself therefore only applies to three-wheeled motor vehicles (trikes). But because category A includes categories A2, A1 and AM (§ 6 FeV), you can also ride category A2 motorcycles until 24. This makes A80 much more than a trike licence.
On your 24th birthday the restriction ends automatically: from then on, full category A applies – with no upgrade test and no new application. The 80 stays on your licence; you don't need to exchange it. Code 80 is uniform across the EU.
Training and testing take place on a proper category A bike – with us, the Honda CB650. It is the same test as for direct entry at 24.
An honest comparison
A80, A2 plus upgrade, or wait until 24?
Starting at 21
A80: category A2 motorcycles straight away, unrestricted at 24.
A2 plus upgrade: unrestricted at 23 at the earliest – one year earlier, but with one more practical test and one more application – and more expensive.
Waiting until 24: three years without a motorcycle.
Starting at 22
A80: category A2 motorcycles straight away, unrestricted at 24.
A2 plus upgrade: unrestricted at 24 at the earliest – just as fast, but with one more practical test and one more application – and more expensive.
Waiting until 24: two years without a motorcycle.
Starting at 23
A80: category A2 motorcycles straight away, unrestricted at 24.
A2 plus upgrade: unrestricted at 25 at the earliest – later and more expensive.
Waiting until 24: one year without a motorcycle, then the same training as for A80.
If you start at 22 or 23 without a motorcycle licence, no route gets you to unrestricted category A sooner than A80. At 21 you are unrestricted one year earlier via A2 and an upgrade – but you pay more for it. Each case assumes the earliest possible date and a start without a motorcycle licence; what applies with A1 or A2 is covered in the FAQ below. We are happy to work out both routes for you.
Theory & Practice
How A80 training works
Theory
12 double lessons of basic theory plus 4 double lessons of motorcycle-specific theory. You can attend the basic theory at all branches that offer theory lessons and start straight away – the motorcycle-specific theory takes place in Bockenheim. If you already hold another licence, for example for a car, the basic theory is reduced to 6 double lessons.
Practice
You learn and ride on the Honda CB650 with a manual gearbox. The meeting point for riding lessons is in Kalbach, very close to the TÜV – which is also where your test will start later. You take as many practice lessons as you really need; you decide that together with your instructor. On top of that come the 12 statutory special training rides – 6 if you already hold category A1.
Language
Riding lessons are available in German or – subject to availability – in English. Theory lessons are taught in German; you can also take the official theory test in English.
Seasonal tip
Register now, ride from the start of the season
Register now in autumn or winter: you submit your licence application at your leisure – the driving licence office usually needs 6 to 8 weeks – start theory and begin your practical training right at the start of the season. Our motorcycle theory also runs regularly outside the season. That way you make use of the whole riding season.
Good to know: you must pass the theory test within twelve months after the driving licence office has passed your application on to the TÜV – and your theory lessons must not be more than two years old by then. After passing the theory test, you again have twelve months to pass the practical test – plenty of time for a start in spring.
Final push
The exams
Theory test
30 questions, maximum 10 error points (if you are extending an existing licence: 20 questions / 6 error points).
Practical test
At least 70 minutes at the TÜV in Kalbach – first six basic riding manoeuvres such as slalom, emergency braking and swerving, then the test ride in traffic. You are tested on the Honda CB650 you practised on – it is the same test as for direct entry at 24.
Dates
You can take the theory test as early as three months before your 21st birthday, and the practical test one month before. You may ride as soon as you have received your licence – on your 21st birthday at the earliest.
Documents
You need this for the registration
- Eye test (no older than 2 years)
- First-aid course (9 units) – not needed if you have already done one for another licence
- Biometric passport photo
- Identity card
- Driving licence application – you submit it yourself. In Frankfurt, the rule is: for your first licence, you can apply via the City's online service (with the online ID function switched on and your PIN, from 16) or at a citizens' office (Bürgeramt); if you already hold one, for example category B, you apply in person at a citizens' office; only the conversion of a foreign driving licence is handled directly by the driving licence office (Am Römerhof). If you do not live in Frankfurt, the driving licence authority for your place of residence is responsible
We'll explain the whole process step by step at your registration consultation in your branch – just drop by. You book your riding lessons via an app after registering – there is a separate booking app for this.
For riding lessons and the test, you need complete protective clothing: helmet, gloves, a close-fitting motorcycle jacket, a back protector (if not integrated in the jacket), motorcycle trousers and boots. We strongly recommend protectors in the jacket and trousers. It is best to get your protective clothing yourself – if need be, we have individual items available, by arrangement.
How much does the A80 licence cost?
Exactly the same as category A: registration €439 · practice lesson €75 · special training ride €85 · theory test presentation fee €110 · practical test presentation fee €175 · learning app €40 (optional)
Example total for the driving school without practice lessons: €1,744 – registration, 12 special training rides and both test presentation fees, assuming you pass first time. No flat fee and no binding total price: on top come your practice lessons, the TÜV and driving licence office fees (not paid to us) as well as the eye test, first-aid course, passport photo and protective gear.
Already hold category A1? Then registration costs €150 and you only need 6 special training rides – example total for the driving school without practice lessons: €945.
Compared with A2 plus a later upgrade, you save yourself the upgrade: at today's prices and fees (as of October 2026) around €800–950 – with us €150 registration, usually 4–6 practice lessons at €75 and a €165 test presentation fee, plus the TÜV and the driving licence office. This applies if you start without a motorcycle licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a nutshell
From what age can I get the A80 licence?
From 21. You can take the theory test as early as three months before your 21st birthday, and the practical test one month before. You may ride as soon as you have received your licence – on your 21st birthday at the earliest. At 18, A80 is not yet possible; category A2 is the way to go then.
What can I ride with A80 until I'm 24?
Category A2 motorcycles: a maximum of 35 kW (48 hp), a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a motorcycle with more than 70 kW. Plus everything in categories A1 and AM as well as three-wheeled motor vehicles (trikes). More powerful motorcycles are not permitted before your 24th birthday.
What happens on my 24th birthday?
The restriction ends automatically – no test date, no new application and no exchange, whether or not it is riding season. From your 24th birthday you can ride any motorcycle. The 80 stays on your licence.
How much does the A80 licence cost?
Exactly the same as category A: registration €439, practice lesson €75, special training ride €85, theory test presentation fee €110, practical test presentation fee €175; the learning app for €40 is optional. Example total for the driving school without practice lessons: €1,744 – not a binding total price. You don't pay the TÜV and driving licence office fees to us, but directly to the TÜV and the authority. All details on the prices page.
A80 or A2 – which is better value?
If you start at 22 or 23 without a motorcycle licence, no route gets you to unrestricted category A sooner than A80. At 21 the route via A2 and an upgrade is one year faster (unrestricted at 23), but costs one more practical test and one more application. Either way, A80 saves you the upgrade: at today's prices and fees (as of October 2026) around €800–950 – with us €150 registration, usually 4–6 practice lessons at €75 and a €165 test presentation fee, plus the TÜV and the driving licence office. We are happy to work out both routes for you.
I already have A1 or A2 – what applies to me?
With A1 – no matter how long you have held it – you can take A80 as an extension: a shorter theory test with 20 questions, 6 instead of 12 special training rides and the practical test on the big bike; registration costs €150. The other route is via A2: if you have held A1 for at least two years, you upgrade to A2 with one practical test, otherwise you extend to A2 in the regular way; two years later comes the upgrade to A. Starting at 21, this way you ride unrestricted from 23 – one year earlier than with A80, but with one more practical test and one more application. With A2, A80 is rarely worthwhile: after two years of A2 you only need the upgrade test for full category A.
Is A80 valid abroad?
Code 80 is uniform across the EU. In the EU you may ride trikes with it and – via the included category A2 – as things stand also category A2 motorcycles. For countries outside the EU, check with the local authorities before you travel. Important: only travel abroad with your card licence – the provisional test certificate is only valid in Germany.
Will A80 still exist in 2027?
Yes, as things stand. A reform of driving school training is planned but has not yet been adopted; according to the current draft, code 80 and the minimum age of 21 remain unchanged. If training or testing changes, we will update this page.
Do I need a car licence for it?
No. You can take A80 without any other licence. If you already have a car licence, it is easier: less basic theory (6 instead of 12 double lessons) and a shorter theory test with 20 questions.
Is there a probationary period with A80?
Yes, if A80 is your first licence – or if so far you only hold AM, L or T: then a two-year probationary period applies. If you already hold another category, for example a car licence or A1, no new probationary period starts; a current one simply continues.
What does it cost if I fail?
Every new attempt costs the test presentation fee again – with us €110 for theory or €175 for the practical test – plus the official TÜV fee; before a new practical test, one or two refresher lessons are usually sensible. If you fail the theory test, no separate basic fee is charged.
Not sure yet?
Which category suits you?
Ready for A80?
Just drop in without an appointment
We advise you at four locations in Frankfurt.
More from the guide: The 48 hp rule and all categories · Upgrade A1 → A2 → A step by step