Motorcycle license: A2 license (intermediate power motorcycle)

Verified 26 May 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You want to drive a motorcycle of 35 kW: titleContent  maximum and you're wondering how to get through the A2 permit? 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 side-car) of a power not exceeding 35 kW: titleContent (47.5 ch: titleContent), with a power to weight ratio of 0,2 or less kW: titleContent/kg
  • Motorcycle covered by the category A1.

Warning  

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

Age

You must have at least 18 years.

Own the ASR or ASR

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

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

Citizenship - Nationality

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You're French

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

You're European

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

You're 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 take a medical examination before applying for a driving 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.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Through a driving school

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

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

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) if you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years not yet completed: individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or attestation of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including carry-over, vis-à-vis the national service.
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...).

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

By yourself

Registration for the driving license examination is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Prepare the following documents, in a photographic or scanned version:

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) if you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years not yet completed: individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or attestation of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including carry-over, vis-à-vis the national service.
  • If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...).

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

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive a Driver’s License Registration Certificate (PID)) 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 Driving License Registration Certificate (PID) between the time of registration on the website of theANTS: titleContent and the passage of the code.
  • You want change driving school and you couldn’t get your NEPH back.
  • You have more than 5 years between your registration on the ANTS website and the code. Indeed, the NEPH you have may be too old and no longer allow you to take the exams.

A teleservice 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 motorcycle test (ETM or motorcycle code).

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

The ETM is about traffic rules and driving 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 correct responses.

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

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

  • You have a French driver's 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 : an eligibility test (HC) and an in-use test (CIR).

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

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

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

The driving school gives you access to a digital learning booklet (training objectives and monitoring your progress).

The e-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 (auto school or association)
  • Teachers or, if necessary, an accompanying person
  • Driving hours
  • The training provided.

In case of loss of access to the digital booklet, a new access is opened with the help of the teacher or the accompanying person.

FYI  

If your application for a driving license has been validated before 2024, you can continue to use a paper learning booklet.

The driving school reserves a place for you to take the practical test of the driving license on the RdvPermit platform.

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

Once connected with the identifiers provided by your driving school, you can follow online the steps made by the school (appointment booking...).

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

Mandatory equipment

The following equipment is required to pass the practical test:

  • Certified helmet
  • Certified gloves
  • Long-sleeved jacket or jacket
  • Pants or jumpsuit
  • Boots or Rising Shoes

Accompanying Person

An accompanying person must be present throughout the tests.

Non-circulation 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, inclination techniques, avoidance, braking...

The HC test lasts 10 minutes.

It is composed of a sequence of 6 maneuvers :

  • 3 low-speed motorcycle control maneuvers, including one without the help of the engine
  • 3 higher-speed motorcycle control maneuvers.

You must have passed the HC test to pass the CIR test.

You retain the benefit of this HC test for 5 CIR tests during the 3 years following the date of passing the HC test provided that the theoretical test (code) is validated.

Test in circulation (CIR)

The CIR test allows you to check that you have acquired the knowledge and behaviors necessary to circulate safely, without embarrassing, without surprising and without being surprised.

The CIR test lasts 40 minutes.

To be accepted in the CIR test, you must get at least 21 points and do not make a eliminatory error.

After the practical test, the inspector does not give you the result of the examination orally. 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 (CRC).

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

Check the results of your driving license examination online

FYI  

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

To obtain your A2 license, the process is different if it is your 1era obtaining a driving license or adding a category.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

First license

Ask your driving school if it is taking care of asking for your driving license or if it is up to you to ask for it.

If you apply yourself, the application is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

You need the following documents in photographic or digitized version:

  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) if you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years not yet completed (unless you have already provided them at the time of registration for the examination of the license): 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 the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...).

Apply online for a driving license following the passing of an exam

Please note

If it's your 1er driver's license, this is a probationary permit. You must put the sign "A" on the back of your vehicle

Adding category A2 to your license

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

An online service allows track your driver's license application.

Track the progress of a driving license application

Driving license dispatch

The driving license (driving license) is shipped by Letter Followed.

This type of dispatch traceable, with mailbox delivery, is different from traditional 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, mailbox number, floor, hallway, staircase, "resident", etc.).

Your mailbox should contain the first and last name of the person who receives the mail.

Follow-up of the dispatch of the driving license

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

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

Tracking the dispatch of your driving license can also be done directly on the La Poste website with the number of the mail followed.

Please note

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

In the event of failure to obtain a driving license

If you did not receive your driving license (driving license) while the mail tracking view shows a distribution made, contact theANTS: titleContent via the contact form:

Who shall I contact

  • Citizens Contact Center - Driving license

    Online

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

    Online Contact Form

    Access to contact form

    By telephone

    34,00 (no surtax)

    09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner

    Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

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

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

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 small for health reasons.

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

  • The date of end of validity of the driving ticket is indicated in front, at the line 4b.
  • The dates for obtaining and end of validity of categories of permits are listed in back the permit, columns 10 and 11.
Infographie - Decrypt driving license
Illustration X - Decrypt driving 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 the information on the driving license.

Front of the driving license:

1. Name of holder

2. Surname of the holder

3. Date and place of birth of holder

4a. Date of issue of the certificate

4b. End date of validity of the security

4c. Issuing authority

5. Title number

7. Signature of the holder

9. Categories of permits

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

Reverse side of the permit:

9. Categories of permits

10. Date of 1re issue of each category of permit

11. Expiry date of each license category

12. Restrictive codes. For example: 01.01 for glasses

Unnumbered Legend: File Number (NEPH Number)

Decrypt driving license

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

The infographic explains the information on the driving license.

Front of the driving license:

1. Name of holder

2. Surname of the holder

3. Date and place of birth of holder

4a. Date of issue of the certificate

4b. End date of validity of the security

4c. Issuing authority

5. Title number

7. Signature of the holder

9. Categories of permits

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

Reverse side of the permit:

9. Categories of permits

10. Date of 1re issue of each category of permit

11. Expiry date 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 assignment)

On the same subject

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

FAQ