Electric motorcycle license: AM, A1, A2, and equivalent power ratings in kW
For electric motorcycles, the required license does not depend on engine displacement but on the motor's power, expressed in kilowatts (kW), and the category listed on the vehicle registration document. In summary: up to 4 kW and 45 km/h, it's classified as a moped, "equivalent to 50cc," and accessible with either an AM or a B license; up to 11 kW, it's a lightweight motorcycle, "equivalent to 125cc," accessible with an A1 license or a B license plus a 7-hour training course; up to 35 kW, an A2 license is required; and beyond that, an A license is necessary. Here are the details, verified on the French highway code and service-public.gouv.fr.
The essentials
- Equivalent to a 50cc scooter: Maximum speed of 45 km/h and a maximum power of 4 kW; requires an AM license from age 14, or a B license.
- Equivalent to a 125cc motorcycle: Maximum power of 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg. Requires an A1 driver's license from the age of 16, or a B driver's license held for at least 2 years, along with a 7-hour training course.
- Intermediate motorcycle: Maximum power of 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 kW/kg; requires an A2 driver's license from age 18.
- For electric motors, the classification is based on the continuous rated power, not the peak power advertised.
- In case of any doubt, the category listed on the vehicle registration document is the definitive reference.
The table of equivalences
Vehicle categories are defined by Article R311-1 of the Highway Code (as of July 25, 2026); the corresponding licenses are described on service-public.gouv.fr.
| Common equivalent | Category: | Limitations | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equivalent to 50 | Moped (L1e) | 45 km/h, maximum 4 kW | AM (BSR) license required from age 14, or any other license including the B license; no license required for individuals born before 1988 |
| Equivalent to a 125cc scooter | Lightweight motorcycle (L3e-A1 category) | Maximum power: 11 kW (15 horsepower). Maximum power-to-weight ratio (unladen): 0.1 kW/kg | A1 license, available from age 16, or a B license held for at least 2 years, along with a 7-hour training course |
| Intermediate motorcycle | L3e-A2 | Maximum power: 35 kW (47.5 hp). Maximum power-to-weight ratio: 0.2 kW/kg | A2 license, available from age 18 |
| Limitless motorcycle | L3e-A3 | Beyond 35 kW | A |
The AM license and electric mopeds
The moped is limited to 45 km/h by design. For an electric motor, its power does not exceed 4 kW. According to service-public.gouv.fr, the AM license (formerly BSR) can be obtained from the age of 14, with a minimum of 8 hours of practical training. It is not required if you already hold another type of license, such as a Class B license, and no license is required if you were born before 1988.
The A1 driver's license and its 125cc equivalent
The A1 motorcycle license is available from the age of 16. It allows you to ride a lightweight motorcycle with a maximum power of 11 kW, where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, as well as a three-wheeled vehicle with a maximum power of 15 kW. Both conditions, power and power-to-weight ratio, apply together: a very lightweight but powerful electric motorcycle may fall outside of this category.
With a Category B driver's license: a 7-hour training course
According to service-public.gouv.fr (information verified on February 19, 2025), a holder of a standard driver's license (permis B) can operate a lightweight motorcycle equivalent to a 125cc motorcycle if they have held the B license for at least 2 years and have completed a 7-hour practical training course. Proof of this training must be carried with the driver's license during inspections. Individuals who obtained their B license before March 1980, those who operated a lightweight motorcycle between 2006 and 2010 with a B license held for more than 2 years, and those who completed the previous 3-hour training course before 2011 are exempt from the training requirement. Holders of a foreign European driver's license must complete the training. Further details can be found on the official information sheet.
The A2 and A driving licenses
The A2 motorcycle license is available from the age of 18. It allows you to ride a motorcycle with a maximum power of 35 kW, where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.2 kW/kg. A more powerful motorcycle can be restricted to 35 kW for a holder of the A2 license, provided that its original power does not exceed 70 kW. After 2 years of holding the A2 license, a 7-hour training course, without an exam, grants access to the A license, with no power limitations.
The trap of peak power
An electric motor can provide significantly more power for a few seconds than it can sustain continuously. European regulations (Annex I of EU Regulation No. 168/2013) define, for motorcycles, the "maximum continuous rated power or net power": for an electric motor, this is the power it can sustain continuously during a standardized test. Therefore, an electric motorcycle equivalent to a 125cc motorcycle can advertise a peak power exceeding 11 kW while still legally remaining within its category.
To determine what license you need, don't rely on the number in the advertisement: instead, check the category and power listed on the certificate of conformity and the vehicle registration document. Also, a vehicle whose power is increased after it has been approved is no longer compliant: see our guide approved electric motorcycle or off-road vehicle.
And what about off-road motorcycles that are not street legal?
They do not require registration documents and are only used on designated terrain, so the issue of a driver's license does not apply in the same way. Different rules apply: registration of the vehicle, insurance, minimum age, and regulations of the track or club. The machines we prepare, such as those presented in our electric motorcycles category, are intended for these types of terrain and tracks.
Workshop tip
Before purchasing an electric motorcycle for road use, ask the seller about its exact category (L1e, L3e-A1, L3e-A2, etc.) and verify this information on the certificate of conformity. It is this document, not the sales brochure, that will indicate whether your driver's license is sufficient. Our page "The World of Electric Motorcycles" describes what we do with these machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What power output is suitable for an electric motorcycle equivalent to a 125cc gasoline-powered motorcycle?
Maximum 11 kW, with a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg. For an electric motor, the certified continuous power is what matters, not the peak power.
Can you drive an electric motorcycle with a standard car driving license (category B)?
Yes, it's an electric moped (equivalent to a 50cc scooter). Yes, it can also be considered a lightweight motorcycle (equivalent to a 125cc motorcycle), provided you have a valid "B" driver's license for at least 2 years and have completed the 7-hour training course, unless you are exempt. Beyond that, an "A2" or "A" motorcycle license is required.
Is an electric scooter with a 4 kW motor equivalent to a 50cc scooter?
An electric moped is limited to 4 kW and 45 km/h. If either of these limits is exceeded, the vehicle falls into a different category. For scooters, please refer to our guide equivalent 125 electric scooter.
Does the 7-hour training course qualify you for an A1 motorcycle license?
No. This is a permission linked to a standard driver's license (category B), and it is documented with a certificate that must be presented along with the license. It does not create a separate A1 category on your driver's license.
Can these rules be changed?
Yes: Article R311-1 of the highway code was still modified in July 2026. Please check the current version on the Légifrance website and the service-public.gouv.fr information sheets before making a decision.