driving licence category
Driving licence category A in Frankfurt – unrestricted motorcycle riding
Category A is the full motorcycle licence: no power limit, no engine capacity limit – any motorcycle you like. At FAHRPLAN you learn on the Honda CB650 – with a dedicated instructor who specialises in two-wheelers. Advice and registration are available at all four of our locations in Frankfurt. Riding lessons are available in German or – subject to availability – in English; theory is taught in German.
At a glance
Minimum age
24 years (direct entry) · 21 years with code 80 (A80) · 20 years, after 2 years of category A2
You may ride
All motorcycles – without power restriction, also with a sidecar (with A80: category A2 motorcycles until your 24th birthday)
Included
A2, A1 and AM
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)
Special training rides
12 compulsory lessons: 5 rural road, 4 motorway, 3 night-time
pass rate
Over 95% of our pupils pass (category A)
Direct entry, A80 or upgrade
Three ways to category A
Direct entry from 24
You start straight in the unrestricted category with no prior motorcycle experience – complete training with theory, practice lessons as required, 12 special training rides and both tests.
A80 from 21
Are you 21, 22 or 23? Then you can already take category A with code 80: full training on the big bike with a theory and a practical test. Until 24 you ride category A2 motorcycles, after that automatically full category A – with no upgrade test. More about the A80 licence
Progressive access from A2 (from 20)
You've had your A2 licence for at least two years? Then only the practical upgrade test is left – no theory test and no mandatory special drives – we plan the practical lessons individually. So that you go into the test feeling confident, we usually plan 4 to 6 lessons on the unrestricted bike. Registration for the upgrade costs just €150.
Theory & Practice
How your 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 ride the Honda CB650. The meeting point for the driving lessons is in Kalbach, very close to the TÜV – chosen deliberately: slightly village-like character instead of inner-city traffic jams, and that is precisely where your test will start later too. You take as many practice lessons as you actually need; you determine that together with your driving instructor. If you drive a car, things usually move faster: the traffic rules are already second nature – the biggest part of the work is getting used to the motorcycle and practising the basic riding manoeuvres that are guaranteed to come up in the test. In addition, there are the 12 mandatory special drives.
Seasonal tip
The best time to start
Depending on the weather, we run practical training from March to the end of October – in good years, from as early as mid-February right through to mid-November. Our tip: Sign up as early as winter. Then you can submit your documents at your leisure, attend theory – basic and motorcycle-specific theory run regularly outside the season too – and study for the test. You take your theory test early and start your practical training right at the beginning of the season.
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
70 minutes at the TÜV in Kalbach – first the basic driving tasks such as slalom, emergency braking and evasive manoeuvres, then the test drive in traffic. The advantage: the test takes place on the same site where you practised beforehand. The A2 upgrade test lasts 60 minutes. With our preparation: a pass rate of over 95% for Class A.
Documents
You need this for the registration
- Eye test (no older than 2 years)
- First-aid course (9 units)
- 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 a Category A licence cost?
Registration €439 (upgrade from A2: €150) · Practice lesson €75 · Special training ride €85 · Theory test presentation fee €110 · Practical test presentation fee €175 (upgrade from A2: €165)
Frequently Asked Questions
In a nutshell
How many driving lessons do I need for a category A licence?
No legal minimum number apart from the 12 special rides. When upgrading from A2, 4–6 hours are usually enough; for direct entry, you plan the scope together with your driving instructor – anyone coming from a car primarily needs time for the machine and basic riding tasks.
Can I get a category A licence without A1 or A2?
Yes – by direct entry from 24, and from as early as 21 with code 80 (A80): in each case full training including the theory and practical test, with no prior motorcycle experience.
What happens if I take my test on an automatic motorcycle?
Then your driving licence is only valid for motorcycles without a clutch. That is why you learn with us on manual bikes (Honda CB650).
How much does a Category A licence cost?
Enrolment €439 (upgrade from A2: €150), practical lesson €75, special drive €85, test presentations €110/€175 (upgrade from A2: practical test only, €165) – all details on the prices page.
Can I get category A at 21?
Yes. Section 10 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV) sets three minimum ages for category A: 24 for direct entry, 20 after holding A2 for two years and 21 for the route via code 80.
First things first: you learn and are assessed on the big machine. Annex 7 of the FeV stipulates a motorcycle with at least 50 kW and 600 cm³ for category A, and that is precisely what your training is aiming for. No special vehicle, no interim solution, the same test as for direct access at 24.
The driving licence will then be issued with code 80. Wording in Annex 9 FeV: “Only for holders of a driving licence for three-wheeled motor vehicles of category A, who have not yet reached their 24th birthday.” So the restriction depends on age. On your 24th birthday it ends automatically – with no upgrade test and no application; the 80 stays on your licence.
Until then, you ride category A2 motorcycles (up to 35 kW or 48 hp), because category A includes A2. From 24, everything with no power limit.
How the routes differ:
- Waiting for direct entry: you won't ride anything at all until you're 24, then do the full training.
- Via A2 with a later upgrade: one course of training; for the upgrade only riding lessons and one more practical test. Starting at 21, this way you ride unrestricted from 23 – one year earlier, but more expensive.
- Category A with code 80: one course of training on the big bike with a theory and a practical test, start riding straight away – at 24 the licence becomes unrestricted by itself, with no upgrade test. If you start at 22 or 23 without a motorcycle licence, no route gets you to the unrestricted category sooner.
Practical note on timing: You can take your theory test as early as three months before your 21st birthday – and the practical test one month before. So register in good time – just drop in without an appointment and we will plan it with you.
All details on training, tests and costs: A80 licence in Frankfurt
Not sure yet?
Which category suits you?
Ready for the open class?
Just drop in without an appointment
We advise you at four locations in Frankfurt.
More from the guide: Upgrade A1 → A2 → A step by step · Getting a motorcycle licence over 40