Riding a Motorcycle with a Car License: What Is Actually Allowed
Summer is coming, the first motorcycles are rolling through the streets again, and you’re wondering: with your car license in your pocket, what can you actually do on two wheels? Maybe you’ve heard that car drivers can ride a 125cc bike without much effort. Or you’re considering whether the effort for a full motorcycle license is worth it if you just want to go on a few relaxed tours at the weekend.
The good news first: with your Class B, you have more options than you think. The slightly less good news: you need to know a few rules so that you actually end up riding what you want. In this post, we clarify which motorcycle you can ride with a car license, what B196 has to do with your driving permit, and which path to two wheels makes the most sense for you.
The MYCOVER® team explains!
Table of Contents
- Are you allowed to ride a motorcycle with a car license?
- Riding a 125cc: These are the options
- Which motorcycle can you ride with Class B?
- How much does a motorcycle license cost if you already have Class B?
- E-motorcycle with a car license: What works here?
- Expanding your car license: B196, A1, or A2?
- Conclusion: Which path suits you?
- FAQ – Riding a motorcycle with a car license
Are you allowed to ride a motorcycle with a car license?
Class B automatically includes Class AM. This means you can ride a few light motorized two- and three-wheelers without an additional exam. This includes scooters and mopeds up to 50cc and a maximum of 45 km/h, or for electric models, up to 4 kW continuous rated power. Also permitted are three-wheeled motor vehicles of class L5e, such as the Piaggio MP3 or similar three-wheeled scooters, although a minimum age of 21 applies for more than 15 kW.
Anything that goes faster or has more displacement remains off-limits without an extension. For a real 125cc, you need the B196 code on your license; for a classic motorcycle over 50cc, there is no way around a proper motorcycle class.
For three-wheelers, the date also matters: if you obtained your Class B after January 19, 2013, the authorization for trikes only applies in Germany. The code 194 will then be on your license. Anyone who got their car license (formerly Class 3) before this deadline can ride three-wheeled scooters without restriction, even abroad.
Riding a 125cc: These are the options
There are two ways to get a real 125cc. The fast one is the B196 code, an extension of your existing Class B. You don’t take an exam, just a training course at a driving school, making it significantly cheaper and faster than a full motorcycle license. The catch: B196 is only valid in Germany. If you regularly plan tours abroad, you’re better off with A1, as it is recognized throughout the EU.
Requirements, costs, the exact training process, and the question of which countries B196 is really worth nothing in can be found bundled on our page about the B196 extension.
Which motorcycle can you ride with Class B?
With B196, you can operate light motorcycles of class A1. The same limits apply as for A1: up to 125cc displacement, maximum 11 kW (around 15 hp), and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg. There is no fixed top speed, but technically most models reach 110 to 120 km/h.
It sounds manageable at first, but it’s not. Modern 125cc bikes are anything but boring. Nakeds, small sportbikes, all-rounders, adventure models: the selection is huge. You can easily commute with them, go on short tours, and have real fun in city traffic. For the first few years, that’s completely sufficient.
Popular models for Class B license holders:
- Honda CB 125 R, MSX 125 (Grom)
- KTM 125 Duke
- Yamaha MT-125, YZF-R125
- Aprilia RS 125, Tuono 125
- Kawasaki Z125, Ninja 125
Always check the specs carefully when looking at models. Displacement, kW, and power-to-weight ratio must be below the mentioned limits. If even one value is above, you need A1 or higher.
As an example: the BMW G 310 R looks like a small machine, but it has 313cc and 25 kW (34 hp). This already puts it in the A2 class, no longer in A1 or B196.
How much does a motorcycle license cost if you already have Class B?
If you already have a car license, you save in some areas when getting a motorcycle extension. You already know the basic theory material, so you only do the class-specific part. Additionally, eye tests, first-aid courses, and passport photos are eliminated since you’ve already done them. However, the biggest expense for A1, A2, and A remains the practical training, and that doesn’t get shorter because of your Class B.
The savings are therefore particularly large with B196, because there is no exam at all:
| Path | Cost (Guideline) | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| B196 (125cc) | €700 to €1,100 | no exam |
| A1 (from 16) | approx. €2,600 to €3,400 | full training, exam |
| A2 (from 18) | approx. €2,300 to €3,200 | full training, exam |
| A (from 24 direct) | approx. €2,700 to €3,900 | full training, exam |
Prices are guidelines and vary significantly depending on the region and driving school. In large cities, you tend to pay more than in the countryside; in southern Germany, often more than in the north. It’s best to get two or three quotes from driving schools near you and compare. For A1, A2, and A, there are additional fees for the licensing office, TÜV, or Dekra, and possibly further practice hours if your instructor thinks you need a bit more practice.
E-motorcycle with a car license: What works here?
E-scooters and e-motorcycles are becoming increasingly popular, and the rules are basically the same as for combustion engines. The decisive factor is power, not the engine type. With your Class B, you can ride Class AM e-vehicles, meaning everything up to 4 kW continuous rated power and 45 km/h.
If you want to ride a more powerful e-motorcycle, the normal rules apply:
- Up to 11 kW: B196 or A1
- Up to 35 kW: A2
- Over 35 kW: open Class A
There is a special feature with e-motorcycles you should know. Some manufacturers state both continuous rated power and peak power. For the license class, the continuous rated power counts. An electric model with 11 kW continuous and 25 kW peak power would therefore basically be B196-compatible. If in doubt, ask the dealer or manufacturer for the exact values on the type plate.
Expanding your car license: B196, A1, or A2?
Which extension is right for you depends on three factors: what do you want to ride, how old are you, and how much effort are you willing to invest? Here is the direct comparison:
| Point | B196 | A1 | A2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 25 | 16 | 18 |
| Prior ownership | Class B for 5 yrs. | none | none |
| Exam | no | yes | yes |
| Displacement | up to 125cc | up to 125cc | unlimited |
| Power | up to 11 kW | up to 11 kW | up to 35 kW |
| Valid abroad | no | yes | yes |
| Upgrade option | no | yes, to A2 | yes, to A |
| Costs | €700 to €1,100 | approx. €2,600 to €3,400 | approx. €2,300 to €3,200 |
B196 is the right choice if you stay in Germany, only want a 125cc, want to expand quickly, and don’t want to take an exam. A1 is worth it if you also want to ride abroad, want to upgrade to A2 or A later, or are still under 25. The A2 class is your option if you want more power, want to switch to a larger machine in the long term, and would do proper training anyway.
Conclusion: Which path suits you?
If you want to switch to a 125cc quickly as a car driver, B196 is your best bet. Cheap, no exam, done in a few weeks. For everyone who wants larger machines or also wants to ride abroad, a proper motorcycle class is the better choice. You can find a complete overview of all classes and their requirements in our Motorcycle License Overview.
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FAQ – Riding a motorcycle with a car license
Exactly how many cc can I ride with Class B?
Without an extension, it’s 50cc at a maximum of 45 km/h, which is Class AM. With the additional B196 code, the limit increases to 125cc with up to 11 kW of power. Anything above that requires a real motorcycle class like A1, A2, or A.
Am I allowed to ride a scooter or a moped with a car license?
Scooters and mopeds up to 50cc and a maximum of 45 km/h are automatically allowed with Class B. These fall under Class AM, which is included in your driving permit. For more powerful scooters, such as 125cc, you also need B196 or A1.
What happens if I get caught on a 125cc without B196?
This is considered driving without a license and is a criminal offense. It can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, points in Flensburg, and a ban period for actually acquiring the extension. Insurance coverage also lapses completely in the event of a claim.
Which two-wheeled vehicles can I ride with Class B without any extension?
Mopeds and scooters up to 50cc displacement or 4 kW continuous rated power for e-vehicles are allowed, each with a maximum speed of 45 km/h. You can also ride three-wheeled motor vehicles of class L5e, where a minimum age of 21 applies from 15 kW.
Am I allowed to ride a trike or a three-wheeled scooter with Class B?
You can ride three-wheeled scooters and trikes of class L5e with Class B, but only from age 21 if they have more than 15 kW. The date of your license is important: for a Class B from January 19, 2013, this authorization only applies in Germany (code 194). Anyone who got their license before then can ride such three-wheelers without restriction.
I got my car license decades ago; can I ride a 125cc without B196?
If you got your license (then Class 3, 2, or 4, also in the GDR) before April 1, 1980, today’s Class A1 is already included. You can then ride light motorcycles up to 125cc and 11 kW without any B196, and this authorization even applies abroad. When exchanging for the card license, A1 is entered directly. If your license was issued from April 1, 1980, you need B196 or a real motorcycle class for a 125cc.
Am I allowed to ride a quad with Class B?
Light quads in the L6e class up to 45 km/h are covered by the included AM class and are therefore automatically included. Faster L7e class quads specifically require a class B license, so they are also permitted with your German driver’s license. The decisive factor is the vehicle class in the registration papers, which you should check before buying.
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