Category A

Vehicle with an engine capacity of over 50 cm3 or capable of speeds higher than 45 km/h are called motorcycles. A motorcycle can have two or three wheels (for example, a motorcycle with a sidecar). Another example would be a trike, or a motorcycle with two symmetrical wheels on the front or rear axle.

As a motorcycle is quite fast and a careless driver could cause a risky situation, motorcycles are divided into subcategories with their own technical restrictions and minimum ages for drivers.

Content

• Full category A
• A1-subcategory
• A2-subcategory
• Comparison table
• State exams for motorcyclists
• Personal driving supervisor
• Other useful information

Full category A

Category A is any motorcycle, i.e. there are no limits to the engine capacity or power. You can only take a full category A course once you have held a driving licence for any category car for at least two years, including a provisional driving licence.

You must pass at least ten theory and ten driving lessons at a driving school. You can take a look at the curriculum here.

You are allowed to drive a category A motorcycle from the age of 24 with one exception. If you have held a subcategory A2 driving licence for two years, you may take the driving test for category A of the Transport Administration and receive a full category A driving licence starting from the age of 20 (you do not have to take a special course at a driving school for this).

You are also allowed to drive trikes and subcategory A1 and A2 motorcycles with a full category A driving licence.

Subcategory A1

A subcategory A1 motorcycle has a maximum engine capacity of 125 m3 and power up to 11kW. If the subcategory A1 motorcycle has three wheels, then it can have a maximum engine capacity up to 15 kW. A subcategory A1 motorcycle can be driven from the age of 16.

If you already have a category B driving licence, then you can complete the training based on an abbreviated curriculum, i.e. as a further training course. In this case, you must take at least ten theory and ten driving lessons at a driving school. You can take a look at the curriculum here.

If you do not hold a category B driving licence, you must complete the training to the full extent, i.e. as initial training, and take at least 24 theory and 12 driving lessons at a driving school. You can take a look at the curriculum here.

Subcategory A2

A subcategory A2 motorcycle has a motor power up to 35 kW or power density up to 0.2kW/kg (no restrictions on the engine capacity). It can be driven from the age of 18.

If you already have a category B driving licence, then you can complete the training based on an abbreviated curriculum, i.e. as further training. In this case, you must take at least ten theory and ten driving lessons at a driving school.

If you do not have a category B driving licence, then you must complete the training based on the full curriculum, i.e. as initial training, and take at least 24 theory and 12 driving lessons at a driving school.

Comparison table

State exams for motorcyclists

The state exams for motorcyclists are the same regardless of whether you learned to drive an A1, A2, or a full category A motorcycle.

The theory test consists of 40 questions, ten of which are about road safety. You are allowed a maximum of five mistakes, but only one in the case of questions about road safety. You will have 30 minutes to complete the test.

The driving test is carried out in two stages – exercises on the training track and driving on the road. You have to complete the following exercises on the training track:

• slow driving;
• slalom exercise;
• figure-8 exercise.
• emergency stopping;
• stopping and bringing the vehicle to a stop at the designated spot;
• passing obstacles;
• pushing the vehicle to a parking spot and leaving the parking spot.

You can make two attempts to complete each exercise. For more information, click here.

The road traffic part of the driving test lasts about 35–45 minutes. You can take a state driving exam with a motorcycle that you are going to use; however, you should consider certain things. You can read about the state exams and assessment here.

Once you have passed your tests, you will be issued a driving licence for the respective category or subcategory.

A2 and A category driving licences give you the right to drive an ATV* with an L7e category indicated on the registration certificate. With an A1 subcategory driving licence, you can drive the aforementioned ATVs if their engine displacement does not exceed 125 cm3 and the power does not exceed 11 kW. If the engine power exceeds 15 kW, then it can be driven from the age of 21.

*The use of ATVs, also known as all-terrain vehicles, on public roads is allowed only if they are registered in the traffic registry as a vehicle of the L7e category (this is reflected in the registration certificate). Driving such an ATV only requires a B category driving licence. The driver and passenger must wear securely fastened motorcycle helmets.

Personal driving supervisor

In addition to drivers, motorcyclists may also practice driving with a personal driving supervisor for more driving experience during their time as a trainee. However, supervising a motorcyclist entails certain peculiarities:

• the personal driving supervisor sits on the back seat of the motorcycle or follows it in a car or a motorcycle;
• the personal driving supervisor and the motorcyclist must communicate through a radio or mobile connection;
• the motorcyclist must wear a reflective safety vest that bears the driving practice symbol on the back;
• if the personal driving supervisor is following in a car, then it must be marked with driving practice symbols; if they are driving on a motorcycle, then they must wear a safety vest with a driving practice symbol on the back.

This means that the same rules apply to supervision as to driving lessons at a driving school. This is useful information because the Road Traffic Act does not provide a clear answer to how to supervise motorcyclists and this explanation is based on the guidelines of the Transport Administration.

For more information about supervision and the personal driving supervisor’s certificate, please click here.

Other useful information

The theory lessons of a motorcyclist can be completed in a classroom or online. At Liikluslab, you can complete an online theory course for categories A2 and A.

Liikluslab also helps prepare for the theory test – check and improve the level of your knowledge. The study environment will indicate the likelihood of passing the test (if interested, read more about the AI algorithms here).

To start your training, you must first select a suitable driving school. You can read about the aspects to consider when choosing a driving school and where to find a list of driving schools along with the feedback of trainees here.

The driving school provides the necessary riding gear (helmet, jacket, etc.). However, buying your own personal riding gear, suitable for your build, before your first driving lesson would be sensible. Nevertheless, do not be too hasty with the purchase – before you buy anything, you should complete the theory lesson that explains the principles and nuances of selecting suitable gear. A discount of –10% applies to the students of Liikluslab in one of the largest motorcycle shops in the Baltic countries, the Motodepoo.

Before starting a driving course, you should obtain a medical certificate. If you already have one, check its validity. This process is described in greater detail here.

If you fail the driving test of the Transport Administration three times, you are referred back to a driving school for continued training. You can read more about it here.