Motorcycle licence: Realistic planning of costs and duration

Significantly less than the initial purchase – you save in three places as a B-holder: Half the core theory syllabus (6 instead of 12 double lessons, plus 4 motorcycle double lessons), which minor theory test (20 instead of 30 questions) and for the Documents (The first-aid course is valid for life – you won’t need to take another one). What remains: the driving school’s basic fee, practice lessons as required, the 12 special lessons, test fees and equipment. How much it will cost in the end depends mainly on your practice lessons – a modular pricing structure is the only reliable option; a flat rate isn’t. You can find our pricing modules clearly set out on the Pricing page.

As a rough guide for a solid beginner's set: 500 to 700 euros – open-ended at the top, but beneath that, protection quickly wears thin. The sensible order of purchase: First helmet and gloves – you'll need those from your very first driving lesson, and the helmet must fit individually. Golden rule: Always buy a new helmet, never used – hidden previous damage renders it worthless. Next, a jacket with protectors (ideally including a back protector), then motorbike trousers and boots with ankle protection – by the time of the Exam You’ll need all your kit. A sensible way to save money: second-hand jackets, trousers and boots are perfectly fine as long as they fit and are undamaged. And ask your driving school what they provide to get you started – that way you can spread the cost of buying your kit over the first few weeks.

As a rough guide: around 200 euros per new attempt – comprising the official examination fee and the driving school’s fee for the test (both are payable anew for each attempt; the exact amounts vary depending on the region and the driving school). In addition, it makes sense to one or two refresher riding lessons before the second attempt – targeted precisely at the point where it went wrong. As a rule, there is a waiting period of at least two weeks between attempts. As annoying as the sum of money is: it is the price for a second try, not for a fresh start – the theory, special driving lessons and your skills remain valid. Only the 12-month deadline for the theory test you should bear that in mind.

With good timing: 1 to 3 months. A realistic example timeline: Week 1: Register and submit your application (the most important step – the authorities often take several weeks!), Weeks 1–4: Theory lessons alongside your first driving lessons, Weeks 4–6: Theory test, followed by special driving sessions and fine-tuning, Weeks 8–12: Practical test. The three big unknowns: Administrative processing time, Weather/Season (motorcycle practice runs depending on the weather from about March to October) and the Exam schedule At the TÜV. Pro tip: Register your bike in winter, sort out the paperwork and pass your theory test – and you’ll be the first to get on your bike when the season starts.

Yes – for planners, winter is the best starting point. The plan: Sign up in winter, submit your driving licence application (the authorities take weeks to process it anyway), attend theory lessons and sit the theory test – all regardless of the weather. Come the start of the season in spring, you’ll be on your bike straight away, whilst those who leave it to the last minute are still waiting for applications to be processed and appointments to be made – and driving schools’ diaries are traditionally at their busiest in spring. One thing to bear in mind: The 12-month validity of the theory starts from the passed test – anyone who passes in winter and starts their practical training in spring has plenty of leeway, but should then follow through with it. And: some driving schools definitely make use of mild winter days for initial driving lessons – it never hurts to ask.