{"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":"Progression 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\">Progression 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 48 hp), <strong>A<\/strong> open \u2013 from the 24th onwards direct entry or <strong>from as early as 20<\/strong> with at least two years of holding a category A2 licence (section 10 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV)). Every higher category includes the lower ones. The crucial thing about the tiered 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 royal road: Promotion with at least 2 years of prior ownership<\/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 promotional examination<\/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 - the ascent is also possible earlier, but then as a <strong>regular extension<\/strong>: theory lessons (6 double lessons of core material + 4 of supplementary material), the <strong>shortened special journeys 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 licence category applies: A2 from 18, A from 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 license at 18 \u2013 or wait for the direct access A license 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\u2019s the shortest route to the unrestricted category. Only one thing is almost never worth it: waiting until you're 22 or 23 for the direct access route instead of getting your A2 right away \u2013 waiting around doesn't ride a motorcycle.<\/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 promotion 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 passing the upgrade test, you'll stay permanently at 48 hp, 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>\u201eWith a promotion, the probationary period starts all over again.\u201c<\/strong> No \u2013 the probationary period only applies upon initial acquisition; promotion does not trigger a new one.<\/li><li><strong>\u201eFor the promotion exam, I have to go back into theory.\u201c<\/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}]}}