Which licence you need for a moped, 125cc or larger motorbike

Key rules

• AM age: You can get the AM licence for mopeds and light quadricycles from age 15.
• Car licence: A B licence held for 3 years covers a 125cc bike in Spain only.
• Non-EU licence: Exchange it or pass the Spanish tests within 6 months of becoming a resident.
• EU licence: It stays valid until its own expiry date.

Which class you need

The class depends on the size and power of the bike.

• Moped (AM): two- or three-wheeled mopeds up to 45 km/h and 50 cc (or up to 4 kW for other engine types), and light quadricycles up to 350 kg unladen at 45 km/h. You can get the AM licence from age 15.
• A1: motorbikes up to 125 cc, max 11 kW and max 0.1 kW/kg. Minimum age 16.
• A2: max 35 kW and max 0.2 kW/kg, and the bike must not be a version of one with more than double the power. Minimum age 18.
• A: motorbikes with no power limit. You can get it at 20 after holding A2 for 2 years, or at 24 with direct access.

Riding a 125cc with a car licence

If you hold a B car licence and have held it for at least 3 years, you can ride a motorbike or scooter up to 125 cc and 11 kW (0.1 kW/kg). You need no extra course or exam. This works only in Spain, so do not count on it abroad.

Does your foreign licence count?

• EU or EEA licence: it stays valid in Spain until its own expiry date. Exchanging it is optional until you need to renew.
• Non-EU licence: it is valid for 6 months after you become a resident. After that you must exchange it at the DGT if your country has an exchange agreement with Spain. If it does not, you must pass the Spanish tests.

Riding after that period counts as driving without a valid licence and can bring a fine. Check the DGT list of agreement countries before you plan.

How to get the class

If you must take the tests, do it in this order:

1. Get a medical and psychotechnical certificate at an authorised centre.
2. Enrol at an autoescuela (driving school).
3. Pay the DGT exam fee.
4. Pass the theory test. In some cases you do not need it for A2, for example when you move up from A1.
5. Pass the practical tests: closed-track manoeuvres, then the traffic circuit.

The DGT exam fee was about 94 euros in 2025 and is revised yearly. A full autoescuela course typically costs 400 to 900 euros, depending on the city.

The comparison, timeline, checklist and FAQ below cover plates, insurance, helmets and the exchange steps.

Licence, plate, insurance and helmet requirements by vehicle type

The four checks below apply to every vehicle on this list: moped, motorbike, VMP (personal mobility vehicle, such as an e-scooter), e-bike and bicycle. Check all four before you buy, rent or ride, because the answer differs from one vehicle to the next.

How to get a firm answer

• Before you buy: ask the seller to confirm the licence category, plate and insurance in writing, using the exact model and its power rating.
• Before you rent: ask the shop what it checks on your licence. A licence from another country may not cover every category, so confirm that yours is accepted.
• For the official rule: ask at a Tráfico office or your town hall. Some rules, especially for VMPs and e-bikes, can be set by the town as well as nationally.

Watch for

• The same-looking vehicle can fall into a different class depending on its motor power and top speed. Check the class on the vehicle's documents, not by how it looks.
• Riding without the required cover or licence can lead to fines and leave you paying for any damage yourself. Settle insurance before your first ride.

The licence categories themselves are explained in the rest of this page.

Timeline and deadlines

• Settle in Spain and start riding on your non-EU licence: from the day you establish residence, for 6 months

• Check whether your country has an exchange agreement with Spain: well before the 6 months end

• Exchange your licence at the DGT if your country has an agreement: within 6 months of establishing residence

• Stop riding if you have not exchanged or passed: after the 6 months end

Checklist

• Check whether your foreign licence is from the EU or EEA, which stays valid until its own expiry date

• Find out whether your non-EU country has an exchange agreement with Spain

• Exchange your non-EU licence at the DGT within 6 months of becoming a resident

• Get a medical and psychotechnical certificate at an authorised centre if you need to take the tests

• Enrol at an autoescuela and pay the DGT exam fee

Frequently asked questions

Can I ride a 125cc motorbike with a car licence in Spain?

Yes, if you have held your B car licence for at least 3 years, you can ride a motorbike or scooter up to 125 cc and 11 kW without a course or exam. The limit is 0.1 kW/kg. This only works in Spain, not abroad.

How long can I ride on my non-EU motorbike licence after moving to Spain?

You can use a non-EU licence for 6 months after you establish residence in Spain. After that, exchange it at the DGT if your country has an exchange agreement with Spain, otherwise pass the Spanish tests.

Do I have to exchange my EU motorbike licence for a Spanish one?

No, an EU or EEA licence stays valid in Spain until its own expiry date, so exchange is optional. You only need to exchange it when it is time to renew.

How much does it cost to get an A1 or A2 licence in Spain?

The DGT exam fee in 2025 was about 94 euros, and the all-in autoescuela cost is typically 400 to 900 euros. Prices vary by city, so compare a few driving schools.