Motorcycle license: A2 license (intermediate power motorcycle)

Verified 01 November 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You want to drive a 35-year-old motorcycle kW: titleContent  maximum and you wonder how to pass the permit A2? We present you the information to know and the steps of the process.

Step-by-step approach

The A2 license allows the following vehicles to be driven:

  • Motorcycle (with or without sidecar) of a power not exceeding 35 kW: titleContent (47.5 ch: titleContent), the power/weight ratio of which is less than or equal to 0.2 kW: titleContent/kg
  • Motorcycle under the category A1.

Warning  

The maximum power of the motorcycle must not exceed 70 kW: titleContent (95 ch: titleContent) corresponding to twice the power restricted to 35 kW: titleContent.

Age

You must have at least 18 years.

Own the ASSR or ASR

If you are under 21 and it is 1era category of license you pass, you must have the 2nd level school road safety certificate (ASSR2) or the Road Safety Certificate (RSA).

In case of loss or theft of these certificates, you can make a declaration on honor.

Citizenship - Nationality

Depending on your nationality, different rules apply.

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You are French

If you are under 25, you must be in good standing with the obligations of the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC).

You are European

If you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have had your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.

You are a foreigner

You must have lived in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.

Health status

If you have a health problem, you need to pass a medical check before applying for a driver's license.

The rates charged by motorcycle schools are free. The price of an A2 license therefore depends on the price charged by your establishment.

Registration for the motorcycle code (ETM) costs €30. If the code fails, you must repay this amount.

Registration for the driver's license exam is done by the driving school or by yourself.

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Through a driving school

At your request, the driving school will take care of your registration for the permit examination. However, you must activate yourself the account created in your name on the website of theANTS: titleContent. You receive an email to activate your account.

To register, the driving school needs the following documents, in photographed or digitized version:

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (DCD) if you are French, aged between 17 and 25: individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or certificate of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including postponement, vis-à-vis the national service.
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt, etc.).

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive a Driver's License Registration Certificate (PIAC)) containing your harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH).

By yourself

Registration for the driver's license examination is done online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Prepare the following documents, either photographed or scanned:

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (DCD) if you are French, aged between 17 and 25: individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or certificate of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including postponement, vis-à-vis the national service.
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt, etc.).

Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assigned)

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive a Driver's License Registration Certificate (PIAC)) containing your harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH).

You must request the communication of the harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH) in the following situations:

  • You have lost your driver's license registration certificate (PIAC) between the time of your registration on the PIAC websiteANTS: titleContent and the passage of the code.
  • You wish change driving school and you couldn't get your NEPH back.
  • You have exceeded a period of more than 5 years between your registration on the ANTS website and the passing of the code. Indeed, the NEPH you have may be too old and no longer allow you to take the exams.

An online service allows, after validation by the competent service, to generate a new AIPC including your NEPH. Your driving school can also carry out the process for you.

Driving license: request the communication of a lost NEPH or the reactivation of a NEPH

You must pass a theoretical test motorcycle (ETM or motorcycle code).

You can register in a driving school or as a free candidate.

The ETM focuses on the traffic rules and driving system of a motorcycle and on the good driver behavior.

You must respond to 40 questions multiple choice.

For pass the ETM, you must have 35 or more fair answers.

You keep the benefit of the ETM during 5 years maximum.

You are exempt from ETM to pass the A2 permit if you meet the following 2 conditions:

  • You have a French driving license or a license European
  • You have obtained the A1 motorcycle license for a maximum of 5 years.

The practical test shall comprise 2 phases : one out-of-circulation (HC) qualifying test and one in-circulation (CIR) test.

The duration of the training is 20 hours minimum, including 8 hours on track and 12 hours on road.

However, if you have the A1 license, the duration of the training is 15 hours minimum, including 5 hours on track and 10 hours on road.

The driving school must offer you a standard contract for driving education. That contract shall specify in particular the program and the course of the training, the price training and administrative services, obligations of each, the means of payment.

Driving school gives you access to a digital learning booklet (objectives of the training and monitoring of your progress).

The digital learning booklet specifies the skills to be acquired and traces the course of your driving training.

The main information in the booklet concerns:

  • Driving school (driving school or association)
  • Teachers or, if necessary, the accompanist
  • Driving hours completed
  • The training provided.

In the event of loss of access to the digital booklet, a new access is opened to you with the help of the teacher or the guide.

FYI  

If your driver's license application was validated before 2024, you can continue to use a paper learning booklet.

The driving school reserves a place for you to take the driving license practical exam on the RdvPermis platform.

In agreement with your instructor and according to your training schedule, you choose the examination center, the date and the time slot.

Once you have logged in with the credentials provided by your driving school, you can follow the steps taken by the school online (booking an appointment, etc.).

Driving license: book a place online to take the practical test of the license

Mandatory equipment

The following equipment is mandatory to pass the practical test:

  • Certified helmet
  • Approved gloves
  • Long-sleeved jacket or jacket
  • Trousers or jumpsuit
  • Boots or high shoes.

Accompanying person

The presence of an escort is mandatory throughout the duration of the tests.

Off-road test (HC)

The HC test allows you to check the level of knowledge and know-how concerning your motorcycle: sense of balance, use of controls, tilting techniques, avoidance, braking…

The HC test lasts 10 minutes.

It is composed of a sequence of 6 maneuvers :

  • 3 maneuvers of motorcycle control at reduced speed, one without the aid of the engine
  • 3 maneuvers of motorcycle control at higher speed.

You must have passed the HC test to pass the CIR test. You retain the benefit of this HC test for 5 CIR tests for 3 years after the date of passing the HC test provided you validate the theoretical motorcycle test (code).

Circulation test (CIR)

The CIR test verifies that you have acquired the knowledge and behaviors necessary to travel safely, without disturbing, without surprising and without being surprised.

The CIR test lasts 32 minutes.

To be received in the CIR test, you must earn at least 21 points and do not make a knockout error.

You can download Annex I to the Order of 23 April 2012 which specifies the organization and conduct of the tests for driving licenses in categories A1 and A2, out of circulation and in circulation.

After the practical test, the inspector does not give you the result of the examination. You can view the result online the day after the exam.

If the result is favorable, you can download your Driver's License Examination Certificate (DLC).

The CRC, accompanied by an identity document, serves as a driver's license for 4 months from the day of the examination. The CPCE is valid only in France. In case of law enforcement control, you can present the CEPC in paper or dematerialized format.

View the results of your driver's license examination online

FYI  

If you fail a driving test, you cannot take the next test before 2 days (date to date).

To obtain your A2 permit, the approach is different if it is your 1era obtaining a driver's license or adding a category:

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First license

Ask your driving school if they are in charge of applying for your driving license or if it is up to you to do so.

If you make the request yourself, the process is done online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

You need the following documents in photographed or scanned version:

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (DCD) if you are French, aged between 17 and 25 (unless you have already provided them when registering for the permit examination): individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or certificate of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including postponement, vis-à-vis the national service.
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt, etc.).

Apply online for a driver's license after passing an exam

Please note

If it's your 1er driver's license, it's a probationary permit. You must affix the sign "A" to the back of your vehicle

Adding category A2 to your license

If you already have a driver's license, you must add category A2 on your license.

An online service allows you to track your request driving license:

Track the progress of a driver's license application

Shipment of driver's license

The driver's license (driving license) is shipped by letter followed.

This type of shipment traceable, with mailbox delivery, is different from regular mail.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show the first and last name of the person receiving the mail.

Follow-up of the sending of the driving license

From the reception of the SMS informing you of the validation of your online request, you must count about 15 days to receive your driver's license (driving license).

At the end of the manufacturing stage of your driving license, you will receive a mail containing a mail tracking link. This link allows you to follow the routing of your driving license.

The tracking of the sending of your driving license can also be done directly on La Poste website with the number of the tracked mail.

Please note

In order to stay informed of the status of your application and the shipment of your driving license, remember to provide your phone number and email during the teleprocedure.

In case of non-receipt of the driving license

If you have not received your driver's license (driving license) while the mail tracking consultation shows a distribution made, contact theANTS: titleContent via the contact form:

Who shall I contact

  • France Titles - Driving license

    Online

    https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/

    Online contact form

    Access to contact form

    By phone

    34,00 (number not overtaxed)

    09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner

    From Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The period of validity of a driving license (driving license) in format credit card is of 15 years.

At the end of this period, the renewal is a simple administrative procedure : there is no driving test or medical check to pass.

So, even if your driving license is valid 15 years, your license category remains valid for life (unless individually restricted).

However, the period of validity of the title may be reduced for health reasons.

The validity of the title should not be confused with the validity of the categories of license :

  • The date of end of validity from title of conduct is indicated in front, to the line 4b.
  • The dates of obtaining and end of validity of license categories are listed in back of the permit, columns 10 and 11.
Infographie - Decrypt the driver's license
Illustration X - Decrypt the driver's license - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Illustration X
Crédits: Direction de l’information légale et administrative

Ouvrir l’image dans une nouvelle fenêtre

The infographic explains what information is indicated on the driver's license.

Front of driver's license:

1. Name of the holder

2. First name of the holder

3. Date and place of birth of holder

4a. Date of issue of title

4b. Date of end of validity of the title

4c. Issuing Authority

5. Title number

7. Signature of the holder

9. License categories

Unnumbered legend: symbol and name of the State which issued the driving license

Back of license:

9. License categories

10. Date of 1re issuance of each class of license

11. Date of expiry of each license category

12. Restrictive codes. For example: 01.01 for glasses

Unnumbered legend: File number (NEPH number)

Decrypt the driver's license

Download
Decrypt the driver's license - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Crédits: Service Public (DILA)Infographie - Decrypt the driver's license

The infographic explains what information is indicated on the driver's license.

Front of driver's license:

1. Name of the holder

2. First name of the holder

3. Date and place of birth of holder

4a. Date of issue of title

4b. Date of end of validity of the title

4c. Issuing Authority

5. Title number

7. Signature of the holder

9. License categories

Unnumbered legend: symbol and name of the State which issued the driving license

Back of license:

9. License categories

10. Date of 1re issuance of each class of license

11. Date of expiry of each license category

12. Restrictive codes. For example: 01.01 for glasses

Unnumbered legend: File number (NEPH number)

Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assigned)

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