Getting a Spanish Motorbike or Moped License

Spain is an incredibly easy country to negotiate via public transport, which is why so many ex-pats in the country choose not to drive a car, and avoid the hassle of undertaking the Spanish driving test. But if you’re living in Spain and you need some wheels to get around and run errands, but without the hassle and expense of owning a car, then opting for a motorbike or moped is a great option. They represent a great way to get around, whether you want to run errands or ride to the beach with the wind in your hair. And they are much cheaper than other types of vehicles too.

But do you need a license to get on the road on a motorbike or moped? Can you just use your existing car driving license or will you have to start from scratch? Here’s everything that you need to know about getting a Spanish motorbike or moped license:

Will I Need a License to Drive a Motorbike or Moped?

The short answer is yes. If you wish to drive a motorbike or moped in Spain, then you will need to a driving license but the good news is that if you’re an experienced driver and you already have a car driving license then you won’t need to take your theory or practical driving tests again. Article 5.7 of Spain’s Reglamento General de Conductores states that most people who have a valid B car licence and more than three years’ experience on the road can drive AM and A1 motorcycles using their existing license and don’t need to apply for new licences. Effectively, this means that you can drive a moped or a motorcycle with up to 125cc of power without an additional license: you may need an additional license if you wish to drive anything more powerful than that.

The Types of Moped and Motorcycle Licenses in Spain

The type of moped or motorcycle licence you will need will depend on the size of the motorcycle you wish to drive. The main Spanish licenses are outlined below, and each will have different costs and require different exams that you will need to pass:

• AM License
  This is the most basic type of license available in Spain, and will give you access to the type of small moped that you commonly see on the streets of Spain. This could be a two wheeler moped, three wheeler moped, or even a small quad bike, and you can have an AM licence from the age of 15 years old. You can also carry a passenger without any age limit. This license will cost 30 euros for the theory exam and 92.20 euros for the practical exam. You will need to pass a psychometric test, as well as a theory and practical exam.
• A1 License
  This is a motorcycle license that will allow you to drive motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars up to 125cc power. It will also allow you to drive the same moped and light quad bikes as the AM license. With this licence you can take a 125cc motorcycle onto a motorway in Spain, meaning that you aren’t limited by where you can travel. You must be at least 16 years old to gain this licence and will need to pass more tests, including a psychometric test, general theory exam that is the same as for a car driving licence, and another specific motorcycle theory test, a closed circuit practical exam and a practical exam on the open road. These tests can be more expensive to obtain: you should expect to pay around 500 euros to gain this licence.
• A2 License
  This is the licence you will need if you want to drive a large motorcycle with an engine more powerful than 125cc. You cannot apply for this type of licence unless you are 18 years old, and it will allow you to ride motorcycles (including a sidecar) with a maximum power of 47.2 horsepower, which is around 700cc. Understandably, this is the hardest of the three licences to obtain. You will need to undertake a general theory exam, a motorcycle theory exam, and two practical exams with extra elements.

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