{"id":104,"date":"2026-07-25T03:00:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T01:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/wissen\/aufstieg-a1-a2-a\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T03:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T01:00:58","slug":"promotion-a1-a2-a","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/ratgeber\/aufstieg-a1-a2-a\/","title":{"rendered":"Upgrade A1 \u2192 A2 \u2192 A: Step by step to the open category"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"104\" class=\"elementor elementor-104\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh104 e-con-boxed mff-section mff-page-head e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrh104\" 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-mffrh104e mff-eyebrow elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffrh104e\" 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-mffrh104h mff-page-h1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffrh104h\" 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\">Upgrade A1 \u2192 A2 \u2192 A: Step by step to the open category<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffrh104l mff-lead elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffrh104l\" 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 German tiered system rewards patience: those who start early and ride for two years move up a class with a single practical test \u2013 completely without any new theory. Here are both pathways to advancement in detail, along with the question: A2 at 18 or wait for A at 24?<\/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-mffrb104 e-con-boxed mff-section e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrb104\" 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-mfftoc104 mff-toc-wrap elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mfftoc104\" 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 progressive access system at a glance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-2\">The ideal route: progressive access with at least 2 years of prior licence holding<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-3\">The fast track: progressive access without a two-year wait<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-4\">Category A2 at 18 \u2013 or wait for direct access to category A at 24?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-5\">The most common misconceptions about progressive access<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#abschnitt-6\">How to plan your progressive access step by step<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h0 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h0\" 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 stepped model at a glance<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t0 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t0\" 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 three motorcycle categories build on one another: <strong>A1 from age 16<\/strong> (125cc, 15 hp), <strong>A2 from 18 years of age<\/strong> (up to 35 kW or 48 hp), <strong>A<\/strong> unrestricted \u2013 from 24 by direct entry or <strong>from as early as 20<\/strong> with at least two years of holding category A2 (\u00a7 10 FeV). In addition, from 21 there is category A with code 80 (A80): category A2 motorcycles until 24, then automatically unrestricted category A. Every higher category includes the lower ones. The crucial thing about the staged system: <strong>Previous ownership time is worth hard cash and saved tests<\/strong> \u2013 the two years on the smaller licence category replace the theory test, required hours and special drives of the next step. Important to know: <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/b196\/\">B196 does not count as prior ownership<\/a> \u2013 the progression only starts with a real A-Class.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h1 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h1\" 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 ideal route: upgrading after holding the lower category for at least 2 years<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t1 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t1\" 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>Have you held A1 or A2 since <strong>at least two years<\/strong>, the step-by-step access is radically streamlined (\u00a7 15 para. 3 FeV): <strong>no theory test, no compulsory theory lessons, no special driving lessons<\/strong> \u2013 only the <strong>practical upgrade test<\/strong>. That lasts <strong>60 minutes<\/strong> (instead of 70) and demands <strong>four basic riding manoeuvres<\/strong> (instead of six). In preparation, you take a few individual practical lessons on the next category's machine \u2013 none of this is legally required, but it still makes sense: more power and more weight need to be experienced, and the test is taken on the large motorcycle. Clever timing: you can take the practical test <strong>up to one month before the expiry of the two-year period<\/strong> passing (\u00a7 17 FeV) \u2013 so the upgrade can take place seamlessly on the anniversary.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h2 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h2\" 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\">The fast track: progressive access without a two-year wait<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t2 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t2\" 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>You don't have to wait \u2013 you can also upgrade earlier, but then as a <strong>regular extension<\/strong>: theory lessons (6 double lessons of core material + 4 of supplementary material), the <strong>reduced special training rides 3 \/ 2 \/ 1<\/strong> (rural roads \/ motorway \/ night \u2013 instead of 5\/4\/3), practical lessons as required and <strong>both exams<\/strong>, theory and practice. The standard minimum age for the target category applies: A2 from 18, A from 24. With A1 you can also take category A with code 80 (A80) directly from 21: category A2 motorcycles until 24, then automatically the unrestricted category \u2013 if you already hold A2, it does not let you ride more powerful motorcycles before 24. Who it is worth it for: anyone who never wanted the smaller category as an intermediate step \u2013 such as an 18-year-old with A1 who now wants to go straight to a 48 hp motorcycle and doesn't want to wait the two years. However, it is always more expensive and more complex than the ideal route.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h3 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h3\" 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\">A2 at 18 \u2013 or wait for direct entry to A at 24?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t3 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t3\" 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 sums usually speak in favour of starting early: those who pass their A2 licence at 18 and the upgrade test at 20 are riding the <strong>open class four years earlier<\/strong> as a direct entrant \u2013 and will then already have two years of real motorcycle experience when the high-performance category is unlocked. Exactly for that purpose is the staged licensing system built: increases in performance at the pace at which experience grows. The price for this is the <strong>second examination including fees and preparation lessons<\/strong>. Starting directly at 24 is especially worthwhile if you were planning to start later anyway \u2013 as a late starter with a category B licence, it's the shortest route to the unrestricted category. Only one thing is almost never worth it: waiting at 21, 22 or 23 for direct entry \u2013 you can't ride while you wait.<\/p><p>From 21 there is also a third route: category A with code 80 (A80). You complete one course of training on the big bike with a theory and a practical test, ride category A2 motorcycles until 24 and are automatically in the unrestricted category at 24 \u2013 with no upgrade test. If you start at 22 or 23 without a motorcycle licence, no route gets you to the unrestricted category sooner; at 21 the route via A2 and an upgrade would be one year faster, but with one more practical test and one more application. <a href=\"\/en\/a80-licence\/\">More about the A80 licence<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h4 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h4\" 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 most common upgrade misconceptions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t4 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t4\" 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>\u201eA2 automatically becomes A after two years.\u201c<\/strong> No \u2013 without the upgrade test, you stay at the A2 limit of 35 kW (48 hp) permanently, no matter how many years go by.<\/li><li><strong>\u201eB196 counts as previous ownership for the upgrade.\u201c<\/strong> No \u2013 B196 is an endorsement, not a motorcycle category; the tiered access route is only open to A1\/A2 licence holders.<\/li><li><strong>\u201cThe probationary period starts again when you upgrade.\u201d<\/strong> No \u2013 the probationary period only applies when you first get a licence; an upgrade does not trigger a new one.<\/li><li><strong>\u201cFor the upgrade test I have to go back to theory lessons.\u201d<\/strong> No \u2013 with two years of previous ownership, there are neither lessons nor a theory test; a voluntary look at the current rules never hurts anyway.<\/li><li><strong>\u201eRiding restricted is always an option.\u201c<\/strong> For A2 only if the unrestricted power output is at most 70 kW \u2013 the basic rule that determines whether you buy a motorcycle.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104h5 mff-h2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"mffr104h5\" 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\">How to plan your progressive access step by step<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mffr104t5 mff-art-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffr104t5\" 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 simple plan: <strong>1. Check your anniversary date<\/strong> \u2013 when are the two years up? The exam is possible from one month prior. <strong>2. Plan around the season<\/strong> \u2013 if the appointment falls in the winter, it's better to postpone it to the spring; the preparation needs to take place in drivable weather. <strong>3. Arrange preparation lessons<\/strong> \u2013 a few hours on the machine of the target category, with a focus on the four basic riding exercises and the different riding feel (weight, brakes, acceleration). <strong>4. Have your exam readiness assessed honestly<\/strong> \u2013 your driving instructor will tell you when the time has come. The whole process is usually done in a few weeks \u2013 compared to initial training, upgrading is the most relaxed test of your driving life.<\/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-mffrc104 e-con-boxed mff-section e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"mffrc104\" 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-mffrc104t mff-lead elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mffrc104t\" 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\/motorcycle-licence-categories\/\">Classes &amp; Prerequisites<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/exam-day\/\">The exam day<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/guide\/basic-driving-manoeuvres\/\">Basic driving tasks explained<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/faqs\/\">All FAQs<\/a><br>Ready for progressive access? <a href=\"\/en\/class-a\/\">Get your category A licence 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-104","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104","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=104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorrad-fuehrerschein-frankfurt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104\/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=104"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}