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Want to feel the freedom of two wheels in 2026 and wondering what the motorcycle license Germany cost actually is?
Getting a motorcycle or scooter licence in Germany (classes A, A2, A1, AM) is a rigorous process, and costs can vary significantly depending on your experience and where you live. We have analysed the fees charged by driving schools and the official TÜV rates to give you a realistic, detailed calculation.
What a motorcycle licence costs in Germany in 2026 – the detailed breakdown
1. Administrative and general fees (the application file)
Before you start your riding lessons, you need to put together your file for the licensing authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde). Here is what it must contain and what it costs:
- First aid course (Erste Hilfe): €30–60
- Eye test (Sehtest): approx. €7; sometimes opticians offer free eyesight tests for a driving.
- Biometric passport-style photographs: €10–15
- File processing fee at the licensing authority: €40–70
2. Detailed driving school (Fahrschule) costs for class A
These are the fees you pay directly to the school. Bear in mind that they can differ from one federal state to another, which is why a price range is given for each.
- Registration fee (Grundbetrag), including the compulsory theory lessons: €400–600
- Learning materials fee (Lehrmaterial): driving schools generally charge between €50 and €100 for access to motorcycle theory question apps
OUR TIP: this is where you can save. We offer the theory question app for just €34.99, with the official TÜV / DEKRA questions in English. We have tested the app ourself, as driver instructors, so there will be no surprises at your theory exam.
See more details about the app here.
- Ordinary riding lessons (Übungsstunden) – the number varies from learner to learner: €70–90 per session
- Lessons required by law (Sonderfahrten). The legal minimum is 12 riding lessons: €85–110 per session
- Theory exam fee: €100–150 (including TÜV/DEKRA fees and the driving school’s presentation fee)
- Practical exam fee: €320–500 (including official fees and the driving school’s presentation fee)
Estimated total for 2026 (class A): between €2,700 and €3,500, depending on how many extra lessons you need.
Motorcycle Theory Test Germany – App for A, A1, A2, AM & Mofa
Prepare efficiently for your motorcycle theory test with official TÜV and DEKRA questions, identical to those used in the real exam and always up to date. Ideal for anyone who wants to save time and pass with confidence.
All official exam questions (TÜV / DEKRA)- Explanations for every question
- Bonus e-book TheorieKOMPAKT
LEARN MORE
Protective gear – an extra cost when getting your motorcycle licence
Important: in Germany, driving schools generally DO NOT provide protective motorcycle gear. Some schools will lend equipment, but for safety and hygiene reasons it is better for every learner to have their own approved gear from the very first riding lesson and for the practical exam.
Basic protective motorcycle gear – what it includes:
- An approved motorcycle helmet
- Motorcycle gloves with palm and knuckle protection
- A jacket with shoulder, elbow and back protectors
- Trousers with knee and hip protectors
- Motorcycle boots that cover and protect the ankle
Budget: Expect around €500–1,000 for a complete set of mid-range gear, in line with typical prices on the German motorcycle equipment market. You can find individual items cheaper or more expensive, but this range usually covers a complete set of approved, comfortable gear suitable for beginners.
Practical advice for buying motorcycle gear:
- Try it on in the shop: The most important thing is that the gear fits you properly, especially the helmet – different head shapes affect both comfort and safety. Motorcycle sizes differ from ordinary clothing sizes, and the helmet must sit firmly without pinching.
- Invest in the helmet: The helmet is the most critical item for your safety, so if your budget is limited, prioritise a good one.
- Choose approved protectors: Make sure every item (jacket, trousers, gloves, boots) has rigid protectors meeting the accepted standards for motorcyclists.
Class AM – lower costs
If you are at least 15 and want to ride a scooter around town, the costs are lower, because there are no compulsory special hours and some fees (registration and the practical exam) are smaller.
What you can ride:
Light two-, three- or four-wheeled vehicles up to 45 km/h, with a combustion engine of no more than 50 cm³ or an electric motor with a continuous rated power of no more than 4 kW.
TIP: how to ride 125 cm³ motorcycles far more cheaply
If you have held a class B licence for at least 5 years and are 25 or older, you can save thousands of euros through the B196 extension. It is the fastest and cheapest route onto two wheels in Germany, because it requires no exam at all – neither theory nor practical.
Instead of paying between €2,700 and €3,500 for a full course from scratch, you can obtain code B196 with a short course costing around €999. It is the ideal solution if you want to ride class A1 motorcycles (up to 125 cm³) without the bureaucracy and stress of an official TÜV examination.
❌ No theory test
❌ No practical test
✔️ Short driver training course
✔️ Cost: approx. €999
👉 Find all the details, requirements and steps in our dedicated article on the B196 extension: „B196 Licence Germany: Ride a 125cc With a Car Licence”
Upgrading between motorcycle classes
In Germany the rule is simple. If, for example, you have held class A1 for 2 years and want A2 (or you are moving from A2 to A), the cost is much lower (Aufstieg).
- No theory: you do not sit through the classroom lessons again.
- No compulsory hours: you do not repeat the 12 Sonderfahrten.
- Practical exam: you only take the road-riding part.
- Reduced TÜV / DEKRA exam fee: approx. €141. On top of this comes the driving school’s registration fee.
Important final notes on motorcycle licence costs in Germany
- Regional variation: costs vary from city to city, which is why price ranges are given. In large cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt) the fees are usually at the upper end.
- Special hours: lessons outside built-up areas, on the motorway or at night are always more expensive than ordinary town lessons.
- Retaking an exam: if you do not pass first time, every retake has to be paid for again (both the school’s fee and the TÜV fee), plus a few compulsory riding lessons between appointments. Take it seriously.
- Exact calculation: for a precise figure, ask the school you are joining for their price list (Preisaushang).
- Payment: fees are generally paid as you go, at each stage listed above.
Good luck. These are not small amounts, but a motorcycle licence gives you enormous freedom and a unique experience on Germany’s roads. Prepare properly, learn the theory correctly, and you will save both time and money on your riding lessons.
― DriveGermany
More useful information for future motorcyclists:
• Did you know you can ride a motorcycle on a class B licence? Everything about the B196 extension in Germany.
• Compare the specifications of each class in our guide to motorcycle licence classes.
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