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Transport and Communications Agency

Getting a motorcycle driving licence

To drive a motorcycle, you need either a category A1, A2 or A right to drive, depending on the size of the motorcycle.

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There are three categories of driving licences for motorcycles of different sizes: A1, A2 and A.

  • Category A1 licence entitles you to drive a light motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cm³ and with a power not exceeding 11 kW. The age limit is 16 years.
  • Category A2 licence entitles you to drive medium-sized motorcycles with a power not exceeding 35 kW. The age limit is 18 years.
  • A category A licence entitles you to drive all motorcycles. The age limit is 24 or 20 years if you have held a category A2 driving licence for at least two years.

Do the following

  1. Step 1

    Apply for a driving licence permit

    When you are taking a theory test, handling test or driving test you must have a driving licence permit.

    If you do not yet have a driving licence, apply for a driving licence permit in the First driving licence service.

    If you already have a driving licence, apply for a driving licence permit in the Upgrading your driving licence service.

    Before applying for a driving licence permit, make sure that you are able to handle the motorcycle class you are applying for and that it is not too big for you.

    If you are unable to manage the motorcycle during training and the driving test, you will have to apply for a new paid driving licence permit for a smaller motorcycle (A1 or A2).

  2. Step 2

    Participate in theory instruction and driving lessons

    Driving instruction consists of the following parts:

    • Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS). 4 theory lessons.

    If you already have a driving licence, you do not need to take this training. The training may be provided by a driving school or arranged by another officially approved instructor, such as a school. The training cannot be provided under a driving instruction permit.

    • Driving instruction. At least 5 driving lessons.
  3. Step 3

    Take the theory test

    You can take the theory test as follows:

    • Category A1: one month before you turn 16
    • Category A2: one month before you turn 18
    • Category A: one month before you turn 24

    When you take the theory test, you will need

    • A photo ID, such as a passport or ID card
    • Guardian’s consent form if you are getting a light motorcycle licence before you have turned 18.
    • A certificate of the Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS) if you do not yet have a driving licence

    In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The service provider organising the theory test will check the validity of the permit in the Traficom system.

    Book a time for a theory test with the service provider.

  4. Step 4

    Book a time for the handling test and driving test

    You can book a time for the handling and driving test after you have passed the theory test.

    If you are banned from driving, you cannot take the test. The handling test is carried out either as a separate test or in connection with the driving test. Check with the service point where you will take the test. You can take the handling and driving test as follows:

    • Category A1: when you have turned 16
    • Category A2: when you have turned 18
    • Category A: when you have turned 24.

    After completing the handling test, you can practice driving a motorcycle with a training licence. Read more at the end of the page under Motorcycle training licence.

    In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The service provider organising the test will check the validity of the permit in the Traficom system.

    Book a time for a handling test and driving test.

    Watch the video of a motorcycle handling test (YouTube) Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.
  5. Step 5

    Bring the required documents and protective equipment to the test

    When taking the handling and driving test, you will need:

    • a photo ID, such as a passport, driving licence or an identity card issued by the police
    • certificate of instruction and examination (E100). You will get the certificate from your driving school or driving instructor
    • compulsory protective equipment

    For the handling and driving test, wear the following protective equipment approved for use in road traffic:

    • crash helmet properly fastened, as well as goggles if the helmet does not have a visor;
    • motorcyclists’ riding trousers fitted with knee protectors;
    • motorcyclists’ riding jacket fitted with elbow and shoulder protectors;
    • motorcyclists’ gloves fitted with protectors; and
    • motorcycle boots.

    You may wear a riding overall if it meets the requirements stipulated for riding jackets and trousers. 

    The required protectors must be in place in the equipment. Any deficiencies in the equipment must not affect the safety of the equipment.

    You cannot take the test without appropriate equipment.

  6. Step 6

    After you have passed your handling and driving tests, you will receive your driving licence by post

    After successfully completing the driving test, you will receive an examination certificate with which you are entitled to drive a motorcycle for up to six months in mainland Finland. This will serve as your driving licence as long as you also carry your photo ID.

    When driving, keep the document with you until you receive your official driving licence.

    You will receive your driving licence by post within approximately two weeks. The driving licence is valid for 15 years. After this, the licence must be renewed.

Motorcycle training licence

With a motorcycle training licence, you are entitled to practice driving independently before the driving test. Apply for a motorcycle training licence at a service provider's service point.

You may be granted a training licence for getting a motorcycle driving licence if

  • you have a driving licence permit for a motorcycle driving examination
  • you are not subject to a driving ban, nor have you been at any time during the five years preceding the training licence decision
  • you have received the required driving instruction, i.e.
    • 4 lessons of training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS) unless you already have a driving licence and
    • 4 lessons of driving instruction in traffic (If you don't have a motorcycle training licence, 5 hours of driving instruction are required).

• you have already passed the theory test and handling test

If you have held a motorcycle driving licence in a lower category for at least two years and you are upgrading it to the next category A licence, no instruction is required, and you do not need to take the theory test. You may receive a training licence after completing the handling test.

Book an appointment at a service provider's service point to submit an application for a training licence.

Take your guardian’s consent for the training licence form with you if you are a minor and apply for a training licence for category A1.

If the training licence can be granted, you will receive it immediately at the service point.

The motorcycle category which you are seeking and the motorcycle registration number are entered in the training licence. The motorcycle must fulfil the requirements for the licence category in question.

Use the white triangle, the symbol for marking a teaching vehicle, when you are practising driving.

Training licences are issued for three months. Licences are reissued only if there is a pressing reason for doing so.

Motorcycle requirements in different situations

A1

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Internal combustion engine capacity not exceeding 125 cm³
  • Maximum power 11 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg

A2

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Internal combustion engine capacity over 125 cm³
  • Power over 11 kW but not exceeding 35 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio over 0.1 kW/kg but not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg
  • Not modified from a vehicle with a power output exceeding 70 kW

A

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Power over 35 kW

A1

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Internal combustion engine capacity of at least 115 cm³
  • Maximum power 11 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg. For electric motorcycles, at least 0.08 kW/kg
  • Design speed recorded in the vehicle register of at least 90 km/h

Before booking the test, make sure your motorcycle meets the requirements for a test vehicle.

A2

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Internal combustion engine capacity of at least 245 cm³
  • Power of at least 20 kW but not exceeding 35 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg. For electric motorcycles, at least 0.15 kW/kg
  • Not modified from a vehicle with a power output exceeding 70 kW

A

  • Two-wheeled, without a sidecar
  • Unladen mass over 175 kg
  • Internal combustion engine capacity of at least 595 cm³
  • Power of at least 50 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio of at least 0.25 kW/kg for electric motorcycles

If you take the driving test on a motorcycle without a clutch lever, restriction code 78 (automatic transmission) will be added to your driving entitlement.

A1

  • Internal combustion engine capacity not exceeding 125 cm³
  • Maximum power 11 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg
  • Three-wheeled vehicles with a power output not exceeding 15 kW. The vehicle must have three symmetrically arranged wheels.

A2

  • Maximum power 35 kW
  • Power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg
  • Not modified from a vehicle with a power output exceeding 70 kW

A

  • Power over 35 kW
  • Three-wheeled vehicles with a power output exceeding 15 kW. The vehicle must have three symmetrically arranged wheels.
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