Key number 196

Whereas previously a motorcycle licence for the A1 class was required, since the beginning of the year, motorists have been able to extend their class B driving licence to 125 cc light motorcycles – and this is relatively inexpensive and easy.
The start of the motorcycle season is delayed this year because of the coronavirus and driving schools also have to pause until further notice. In the meantime, however, motorists can consider whether they will not be even more mobile in the future and that they will also want to drive A1 light motorcycles in addition to the car. This has been possible since 31.12.2019. According to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), the extension of the car driving licence is to be linked to a regulation in Germany that existed until 31 March 1980, which allowed holders of a car driving licence of the then class 3 light motorcycles (at that time still at 80 cc and up to 80 km/h) to drive without training and testing.

What are the prerequisites for fulfilling?
But anyone who thinks that you only have to buy a motorbike and can get on it is mistaken. Before you can drive a light motorcycle of class A1, you need to enter the key number 196 in the driving licence. For this driving licence entry, you must have a driving licence class B for at least five years and have reached the minimum age of 25 years. In addition, you must have completed a theoretical and practical training of at least 13.5 time hours (9 lessons of 90 minutes each), the successful completion of which has been confirmed by a driving instructor. On the other hand, a theoretical or practical examination is not required. However, one must be aware that with the new right you do not acquire a driving licence of category A1, i.e. it does not play a role, for example, within the framework of the step-by-step driving licence. After registration of the key number 196, only two-wheeled light motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cc, an engine power of not more than 11 kW, in which the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, may also be used. Three-wheeled light motorcycles (trikes) of class A1 may not be driven. Last but not least, you can only drive withthe extended driver's license within Germany; the authorization is not valid abroad.