{"id":103,"date":"2026-07-25T03:00:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T01:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/wissen\/b196-oder-a1\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T03:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T01:00:58","slug":"b196-or-a1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/ratgeber\/b196-oder-a1\/","title":{"rendered":"B196 or A1 \u2013 the honest decision-making aid"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"103\" class=\"elementor elementor-103\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh103 e-con-boxed mff-section mff-page-head e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrh103\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh103e mff-eyebrow elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffrh103e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Guide<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh103h mff-page-h1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffrh103h\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">B196 or A1 \u2013 the honest decision-making aid<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh103l mff-lead elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffrh103l\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Both get you onto a 125cc \u2013 but in very different ways and with very different consequences. Here is the complete comparison, including the two catches that are never mentioned in the adverts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrb103 e-con-boxed mff-section e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrb103\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mfftoc103 mff-toc-wrap elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mfftoc103\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mff-toc\"><strong>Contents of this guide<\/strong><ul><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-1\">The core difference in one paragraph<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-2\">The point-by-point comparison<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-3\">Who B196 is the right choice for<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-4\">For whom A1 is the right choice<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-5\">The EU outlook \u2013 and why you shouldn't wait for it<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-6\">The rule of thumb<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h0 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-1\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The core difference in one paragraph<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t0 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>A1 is a fully valid, EU-wide driving licence category<\/strong>, which you earn with theory and practical tests and which opens up the path for you to progress to categories A2 and A. <strong>B196 is an endorsement on your car driving licence<\/strong> (\u00a7 6b FeV): no test, just driver training of at least 9 sessions of 90 minutes each \u2013 that is what it is valid for <strong>only in Germany<\/strong> and counts <strong>not as prior licence holding<\/strong> for later motorcycle categories. You are allowed to drive the same thing with both: light motorcycles up to 125 cm\u00b3, 11 kW, 0.1 kW\/kg.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h1 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The point-by-point comparison<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t1 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Prerequisites:<\/strong> A1 from 16 years, open to everyone. B196 only from 25 and only with at least 5 years category B.<\/li><li><strong>Effort:<\/strong> A1 = full training course including practice sessions, 12 special driving sessions, and theory and practical tests. B196 = 9 training sessions, no test \u2013 usually completed in a few weeks.<\/li><li><strong>Validity:<\/strong> A1 EU-wide and permanent. B196 only in Germany \u2013 you aren't even allowed to drive with it on holiday in Austria.<\/li><li><strong>Future<\/strong> A1 opens the stepped path (after 2 years <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/promotion-a1-a2-a\/\">Promotion to A2 requires a practical test only<\/a>B196 is a dead end: no prior ownership, no credit for hours \u2013 anyone wanting A1 or A2 later starts the regular training from scratch.<\/li><li><strong>Cost:<\/strong> The B196 is generally much cheaper and quicker; the A1 requires proper training \u2013 and delivers a real driving licence in return.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h2 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-3\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who should choose the B196?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t2 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>B196 is suitable if you <strong>tick all three boxes with a clear conscience<\/strong> Can: You are at least 25, have been driving a car for at least 5 years \u2013 and your intended use lies <strong>completely in Germany<\/strong>commuting, urban traffic, the weekend ride. You want to get on a 125cc bike quickly and without the stress of a test, and upgrading to larger machines later is out of the question for you (or you accept having to take regular training for it later). For this profile, the B196 licence is a thoroughly sensible option \u2013 the individual practical training is real and safely gets you to a solid beginner level. To be honest: <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/b196\/\">The certificate does not replace an examination<\/a> \u2013 plan the first few weeks consciously defensively and treat yourself to extra lessons if in doubt.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h3 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-4\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For whom A1 is the right choice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t3 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A1 is the clear choice if you <strong>under 25<\/strong> are \u2013 then the question doesn\u2019t even arise. Furthermore, A1 is the better choice if at least one of the following applies: You want to <strong>ride abroad<\/strong> (Alpine passes, holiday, near the border), you can imagine, <strong>later A2 or A<\/strong> to do (then every A1 year counts as prior possession \u2013 after two years, the practical test is sufficient for A2), or you simply want to <strong>full, proper training<\/strong> including special journeys on the motorway and at night \u2013 in other words, exactly the kind of experience that the B196 doesn\u2019t cover. In short: the B196 buys you access; the A1 buys you a future with a driving licence.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h4 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-5\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The EU outlook \u2013 and why you shouldn't wait for it<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t4 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The new EU Driving Licence Directive (which entered into force at the end of 2025) provides for the first time a <strong>Europe-wide harmonised 125cc licence extension<\/strong> with mutual recognition \u2013 that could eventually fix the biggest B196 weakness. But: the member states first have to implement the directive nationally; realistically, that will <strong>at the earliest 2028\/2029<\/strong> applicable law, and what the German implementation looks like is open. Therefore, decide according to current law: anyone wanting to drive abroad today needs an A1 licence today \u2013 a vague prospect for the day after tomorrow is not a travel permit for tomorrow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103h5 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr103h5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"abschnitt-6\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The rule of thumb<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr103t5 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr103t5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you take only one sentence away with you, let it be this one: <strong>B196 for commuting in Germany \u2013 A1 for everything that follows.<\/strong> And if you fall between two stools (over 25, but thinking about upgrading): calculate both paths all the way through \u2013 B196 plus the later full A2 training costs more combined than direct entry into A2 today. Anyone who is seriously considering the upgrade will save money in the long run by getting the real licence right from the start.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrc103 e-con-boxed mff-section e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrc103\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrc103t mff-lead elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffrc103t\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Read more: <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/b196\/\">B196: all the facts<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/motorcycle-licence-categories\/\">Classes &amp; Prerequisites<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/how-much-is-the-motorcycle-licence\/\">How much does a motorbike licence cost?<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/faqs\/\">All FAQs<\/a><br>Decided? <a href=\"\/en\/category-b196\/\">B196 in Frankfurt<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/category-a1\/\">A1 in Frankfurt<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":85,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-103","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/103\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/85"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}