Administrative services A-Z

If you have held the A1 or A2 driving license for at least 2 years, passing the practical test is sufficient to obtain the extension from A1 to A2 or from A2 to A (advancement). A theoretical test is not necessary.

The class A1 driving license entitles you to drive motorcycles (also with sidecars) with a cubic capacity of up to 125 cubic centimeters, an engine power of no more than 11 kW, where the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, and three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetrically arranged wheels and a cubic capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters for internal combustion engines or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and with a power of up to 15 kW.

The class A2 driving license entitles you to drive motorcycles (including those with sidecars) with a maximum engine power of 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg that are not derived from a motorcycle with an engine power of more than 70 kW. With the class A2, the classes A1 and AM are included.

The class A driving license entitles you to drive motorcycles (including those with sidecars) with an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters or with a maximum speed determined by the design of more than 45 km/h and three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power output of more than 15 kW and three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetrically arranged wheels and an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters for internal combustion engines or a maximum speed determined by the design of more than 45 km/h and with a power output of more than 15 kW.

• You must have a driving license class A1 or A2.
• You must have your main residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
• The minimum age for class A2 is 18 years.
• The minimum age for class A is 20 years if you have previously held A2.
• You have been in possession of the driving license class A1 or A2 for 2 years.

• valid identity card or passport (if necessary with current certificate of residence)
• application for the driver's license
• a biometric photo according to the passport regulation (size 45x35 mm)
• eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
• valid driver's license

The fee is based on the Fee Regulations for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).

If the driver's license is sent directly to the home address, an additional shipping fee will be charged.

• Fee regulations for road traffic measures (GebOSt)

The practical driving test must be taken within 12 months of passing the theory test. The driving license must be handed over within 2 years after passing the practical test. Otherwise, the test loses its validity.

The practical test for the extension of class A1 to class A2 or class A2 to class A may be taken at the earliest one month before the expiry of the period of 2 years after the previous driving license was issued or when the minimum age is reached.

Driving license authority of the place of residence (district or independent city)

Driving license authority

• § Section 15 (3) and (4) of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV)
• § 21 Driving License Ordinance (FeV)
• § Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG)
• § 6 Driving License Ordinance (FeV)

• Overview of the driving license categories

Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV)