A2 Motorcycle Licence Price in 2026

The price of the A2 motorcycle licence depends on three separate expense items: practical training at a motorcycle school, the theory exam (the motorcycle theory test, known as ETM in France) and the mandatory certified gear worn on exam day. This guide breaks down each budget line, explains why the final bill varies so much from one candidate to another, and lists concrete ways to reduce it.

At a glance

• Most common total budget: between 1,000 and 2,200 euros, gear included.
• Mandatory practical training: minimum 20 hours, reduced to 15 hours for an A1 licence holder.
• Motorcycle theory test (ETM): around 20 euros for online prep and 30 euros per exam attempt.
• Certified gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, trousers, boots): between 600 and 1,000 euros depending on quality.
• The number of riding hours actually needed, beyond the legal minimum, remains the main factor behind the price difference.

How much does the A2 licence cost in total?

The table below summarises the expense items for an A2 licence taken through standard training, starting from the legal minimum.

These figures assume initial training with no failed attempts. Each new theory test retake, billed at 30 euros, and every extra riding hour beyond the base package add to this total.

What is the price of practical training for the A2 licence?

French regulations require a minimum of 20 hours of riding at an approved motorcycle school to earn the A2 licence: 8 hours off-road, focused on handling the motorcycle at a standstill and at low speed, then 12 hours riding in real traffic conditions. Motorcycle schools charge this base package between €800 and €1,000, a rate that varies noticeably by region and by the school’s reputation.

This volume remains a legal minimum, not a guarantee of success. Most students need extra hours to reach the required level, which explains the frequent gap between the quote shown by a motorcycle riding school and the final amount actually paid by the candidate.

How much does the motorcycle theory test (ETM) cost?

The motorcycle theory exam, called ETM in France, is separate from the car theory test even though the two share some content. Online preparation costs around 20 euros, and each exam attempt is billed 30 euros, a regulated rate identical regardless of which body runs the test. This fee applies to every new attempt after a failure, which is a strong incentive to prepare properly before the first try.

What additional fees come with the licence?

Beyond the practical package and the theory test, two budget lines are often underestimated by candidates. The practical exam itself, both off-road and on-road parts, is free: only the motorcycle school’s exam-day support is billed, around 90 euros, within limits set by regulation.

Certified gear is the other significant expense: helmet, gloves, jacket or long-sleeved coat, trousers or riding suit, boots or high-top shoes. Without this full outfit, a candidate is turned away from the practical exam regardless of riding skill. Its cost ranges from €600 to €1,000 depending on the quality chosen, a budget that stays useful after the exam since this gear is then worn on every ride on an A2 motorcycle.

Why does the A2 licence price vary so much between candidates?

The first factor is the number of riding hours actually completed. The 20-hour package is a regulatory floor, not an average: a candidate with no prior motorcycle experience or little comfort in traffic usually needs extra hours to build the expected reflexes, both off-road (balance, precision, braking) and on-road (anticipation, positioning, merging).

The second factor is the candidate’s profile. An A1 licence holder who later takes the A2 licence sees their training requirement reduced to 15 hours instead of 20, which mechanically lowers the cost of the practical part. Conversely, a candidate who aims directly for a 125cc motorcycle through the A1 licence before moving up to A2 spreads the expense across two steps instead of one.

How can you reduce the cost of the A2 licence?

Several levers can lighten the bill without cutting corners on training quality. Comparing quotes from several motorcycle schools remains the first step, since base package rates vary noticeably from one school to another for the same number of hours. Preparing the theory test properly before the first attempt also avoids the 30-euro retake fee.

On the financing side, the CPF generally does not cover a motorcycle licence, except when getting it is directly tied to an identified professional project. Candidates then turn to instalment payment plans offered by the motorcycle school, occasional support from France Travail for jobseekers, or help from an employer when riding a motorcycle is part of the job. Once the licence is earned, taking out motorcycle insurance suited to a young rider profile completes the budget to plan for, a point covered in this guide on young rider motorcycle insurance.

A1 or A2 licence: which is more cost-effective?

The A1 licence, available from age 16, limits riders to light motorcycles of up to 11 kW. The A2 licence, available from age 18, opens access to motorcycles restricted to 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 kW per kilogram. On practical training alone, a direct A2 licence costs more than an A1 licence since it requires 20 hours against an often lower volume for A1, but it avoids retaking a full exam a few years later to access more powerful motorcycles.

Displacement shown on a spec sheet does not directly indicate A2 compatibility either: the power-to-weight ratio decides, once the motorcycle is restricted by the manufacturer if needed. Some 600cc motorcycles meet this threshold once restricted to A2 specification, others do not, which means the exact model must be checked before any purchase rather than relying on displacement alone.

Frequently asked questions