Starting a motorcycle licence in winter: The clever seasonal trick

The motorcycle training consists of two halves: one weather-independent (registration, driving licence application, theory lessons, theory test) and a weather-dependent (Driving lessons, special drives, practical test – training at most driving schools, including ours, runs roughly from March to October.) The most common planning mistake: squeezing both into the season. Then the administrative lead time eats up the best riding months. The smart option: schedule the entire weather-independent half for the winter.

• Registration and driving licence application: The application usually takes 6 to 8 weeks – submitted in winter, it will long since have been approved by the start of the season.
• Theory lessons completed: Basic theory plus the 4 double lessons of motorcycle additional theory – all indoors.
• Take the theory test Once you’ve passed your theory test and your application has been approved, you’ll be all set to start your first driving lesson in March.
• Get equipment: Winter is the best time for Buying protective clothing – try on without time pressure, often with previous year's discounts.

This is what a winter start looks like month by month if you begin in October or November:

• October/November: register and submit your driving licence application – the application usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Theory lessons start at the same time.
• November to January: attend theory lessons – basic theory plus the 4 double lessons of motorcycle-specific theory – and, if you like, practise with the learning app. The theory sessions of the B196 training course also take place in winter.
• January/February: Pass the theory test, get all the equipment sorted.
• March: first riding lessons – you're ready to go as soon as the weather is right.
• April/May: Special driving sessions and the practical test – and then the whole season is yours.

When your first riding lesson actually takes place depends on the weather: practical training with us runs roughly from March to October, and on mild, dry winter days the occasional lesson is possible earlier.

For comparison: anyone who only registers in April loses the first few weeks of application and theory – and often doesn't take their test until the height of summer.

After passing the theory test you have 12 months Time to pass the practical test. With the winter model, this is convenient: theory in January, practice from March, test in early summer – leaving a buffer of more than half a year. The only important thing is consistency: anyone who passes the theory in winter and then postpones the practice until „next year“ after all will run out of time. The winter model works as a continuous run, not a two-year plan.

The winter trick works perfectly with the statutory early-start rules: you may take the Theory test up to 3 months and the practical test up to 1 month before the minimum age (16 for A1, 18 for A2, 21 for A with code 80, 24 for direct A). For example, if you turn 18 in May, you start the theory in winter and take your test just in time for your birthday – your licence and the season start at the same time.

Can I already take riding lessons in winter? Occasionally yes – on mild, dry winter days driving lessons are possible, but you can't plan for it. Rely on March and be glad for any bonus appointment before then.

Is the early start really worth it? Yes – if you've sorted everything out in winter, you're ready to go when the season starts and have the whole season ahead of you.

Does that trick work for B196 as well? Yes – the theory sessions for the B196 training course take place in winter, whilst the one-to-one practical lessons are held at the start of the season. Details in the B196 guide.

Do theory lessons expire if time passes between the lessons and the test? The completion of the theory training may date back up to 2 years at the time of the exam – completely unproblematic with the winter model.