What driver's licenses are required depending on the category of vehicle?
Verified 10 June 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior
The driving license required depends on the category of vehicle you wish to drive.
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a moped :
- Road safety certificate (BSR) corresponding to category AM of the driving license
- Any category of driving license.
However, you do not need a driver's license moped if you were born before 1988.
It depends on the power of the motorcycle.
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Motorcycle 125 light
Two-wheeled vehicle (motorcycle, scooter) with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cm³ and a power output not exceeding 11 kilowatts (15 horsepower).
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a light motorcycle :
Intermediate power motorcycle
Motorcycle, with or without sidecar, with a power output not exceeding 35 kilowatts (47,5 horsepower) and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0,2 kilowatt per kilogram. The power cannot result from the clamping of a vehicle developing more than 70 kilowatts.
Large engine capacity regardless of power
The A permit allows the driving of a motorcycle, with or without side-car, regardless of its power.
The A license can be obtained by taking a training (7 hours) after 2 years of holding the category A2.
It depends on the power of the vehicle.
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Vehicle of category L5e with a maximum power output of 15 kW
3-wheeled vehicle, equipped with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cm³. Maximum speed greater than 45 km/h. Unladen weight less than or equal to 1000 kg
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a L5e vehicle with a power of 15 kW: titleContent maximum (20 ch: titleContent):
- A1 Permit
- A2 Permit
- A Permit
- Permit B subject to conditions
- B1 license obtained before 19 January 2013.
Vehicle of category L5e with a power output exceeding 15 kW
3-wheeled vehicle, equipped with an engine capacity exceeding 50 cm³. Maximum speed greater than 45 km/h. Unladen weight less than or equal to 1000 kg
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a L5e vehicle more than 15 power kW: titleContent (20 ch: titleContent):
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a light motor quadricycle (cart):
- Road safety certificate (BSR) corresponding to category AM of the driving license
- Any category of driving license.
However, you do not need a driver's license light motor quadricycle if you were born before 1988.
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a heavy-duty motor quad :
- B1 license
- B Permit
- A Permit obtained before 19 january 2013
- A1 Permit obtained before 19 January 2013.
Without trailer
You must have the B-permit to drive a car or a van.
With trailer
To drive a car, or a van hitched to a trailer, you must have one of the following licenses, depending on the weight of the trailer:
Weight of trailer | Permit required |
|---|---|
PTAC: titleContent up to 750 kg | |
| |
| B license with additional entry 96) (96 is obtained by following a 7-hour training course) |
| |
PTAC over 3,5 tons |
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1/Permit B
License B authorizes the driving of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3 500 kilograms.
- This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the PTAC of the trailer is less than or equal to 750 kilograms.
- This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, provided that the sum of the TCCA of the combination, vehicle and trailer, does not exceed 3 500 kilograms.
2/License B96
License B96 authorizes the operation of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3,500 kilograms.
This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, provided that the sum of the TCCA of the combination, vehicle and trailer, does not exceed 4 250 kilograms.
3/BE Permit
The BE license authorizes the driving of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3 500 kilograms.
This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer with a TCCA of not more than 3 500 kg where the sum of the TCCAs of the vehicle and trailer combination exceeds 4 250 kg.
Without trailer
You must have the B-permit to drive a motorhome (vehicle of category M1) of which PTAC is not more than 3,5 tons.
With trailer
To drive a motorhome of up to 3.5 tons (vehicle of category M1) coupled with a trailer, you must have one of the following licenses, depending on the weight of the trailer:
Weight of trailer | Permit required |
|---|---|
750 kg maximum | |
| |
| B license with additional entry 96) (96 is obtained by following a 7-hour training course) |
| |
Trailer of more than 3.5 tons of PTAC: titleContent |
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1/Permit B
License B authorizes the driving of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3 500 kilograms.
- This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the PTAC of the trailer is less than or equal to 750 kilograms.
- This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, provided that the sum of the TCCA of the combination, vehicle and trailer, does not exceed 3 500 kilograms.
2/License B96
License B96 authorizes the operation of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3,500 kilograms.
This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer when the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, provided that the sum of the TCCA of the combination, vehicle and trailer, does not exceed 4 250 kilograms.
3/BE Permit
The BE license authorizes the driving of a vehicle with a total authorized laden weight (TCAW) not exceeding 3 500 kilograms.
This vehicle may be coupled to a trailer with a TCCA of not more than 3 500 kg where the sum of the TCCAs of the vehicle and trailer combination exceeds 4 250 kg.
See the box J the vehicle registration certificate (VRC) to determine the European category under which he reports. For example category M1 or category N1.
The national gender of the vehicle is shown in box J1. For example VP for passenger cars, ETC for vans, VASP for specialized motor vehicles.
The European bodywork of the vehicle is shown in box J2. For example AA for sedans, AC for family breaks, BE for pick-ups, SH for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
The national body of the vehicle is shown in box J3. For example, DERIV VP for a special purpose vehicle reversibly adapted for use as a commercial vehicle.
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a camper of more than 3.5 tons (less than 7.5 tons):
If you are driving abroad, code 79 must be affixed to the driving license (motorhome/motorhome code including the PTAC exceeds 3,5 tons).
You may not drive a motorhome of more than 3.5 tons with the following B licenses:
- B license issued on or after January 20, 1975
- B permit issued before January 20, 1975, invalidated or canceled after that date
- B permit issued before 20 January 1975 obtained by exchange of a permit issued by another State (European (or not) where the exchange took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the validation of a professional diploma when this validation took place after January 20, 1975
- B license issued before January 20, 1975 obtained as a result of the conversion of a military driving license where the conversion took place after January 20, 1975.
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a truck including PTAC: titleContent is between 3,5 and 7,5 tons:
- C1 Permit or C-permit if the TCCA of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg
- C1E Permit if the TCCA of the trailer exceeds 750 kg.
It depends on the type of bus or bus.
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8 m long maximum, 17 places maximum (including driver)
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a bus or coach 17 seats maximum, including the driver, and Maximum length 8 m :
- D1 Permit
- D1 Permit if there is a trailer with PTAC: titleContent is 750 kg maximum
- D1E Permit if there is a trailer with a PTAC exceeding 750 kg.
+ 9 places (driver included)
You must have one of the following licenses to drive a bus or coach more than 9 seatsincluding driver:
- D Permit
- DRIVING LICENSE if there is a trailer with PTAC: titleContent exceeds 750 kg.
It depends on the situation and the speed of the vehicle.
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Vehicle attached to an agricultural or forestry holding, ETA or Cuma
ETA: establishment of agricultural works
Cuma: cooperative for the use of agricultural equipment
You do not need to have a license to drive a vehicle or an agricultural or forestry appliance if the 3 conditions the following are completed:
- The vehicle is attached to a holding agricultural or forestry, ETA: titleContent or to a Cuma: titleContent
- You have 16 years or older
- You drive during the exercise of the activity agricultural or forestry.
Vehicle with a maximum speed of 40 km/h
The B-permit authorizes the driving of an agricultural or forestry vehicle or apparatus, or equivalent vehicle, the speed of which is 40 km/h maximum.
Vehicle with a speed exceeding 40 km/h
You must have one of the following licenses to drive an agricultural or forestry vehicle or apparatus, or similar vehicle, whose speed is greater than 40 km/h :
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Driving a tractor (section L221-2)
Categories of driving licenses
Vehicle categories (Article R311-1)
Annex 2 (equivalencies between old and current license categories)
FAQ
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