Complete Guide to Motorcycle Licenses in Spain 2026

If you're thinking about getting your motorcycle license and aren't sure where to start, believe us when we say you're not the only one. The motorcycle permit system in Spain has several levels, and between minimum ages, power limits, and changing regulations, it’s easy to get lost. In this guide, we break everything down clearly so that by the time you finish reading, you'll know exactly which license you need, what you have to do to get it, and approximately how much it will cost.

The Motorcycle License System in Spain

The DGT (Department of Traffic) regulates four types of motorcycle permits: AM, A1, A2, and A. They work like a ladder: each level gives you access to more powerful bikes, and generally, to move up a step, you need to have spent time on the previous one. The idea is to accumulate experience progressively before moving to larger engine capacities.

AM License

The AM is the permit for mopeds. With it, you can drive bikes up to 50 cc with a yellow license plate, light three-wheeled vehicles, and light quadricycles, always with a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

• Minimum Age: 15 years old.
• Tests: Psychotechnical (medical) aptitude test, a specific theory exam for mopeds, and a practical skills test on a closed circuit.
• Estimated Price: Between 150 and 250 euros, depending on the driving school and the city.

A1 License

With the A1, you can drive motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW (approx. 15 hp). This is the license most young people get to move around independently before turning 18.

• Minimum Age: 16 years old.
• Tests: Psychotechnical test, general theory exam (exempt if you already have a car license), practical skills test on a closed circuit, and an on-road driving exam.
• Estimated Price: Between 400 and 550 euros.

Important Detail: If you have a car license (B) with more than three years of experience, you can drive motorcycles up to 125 cc without needing the A1 license; this rule has not changed yet.

However, a mandatory course is being implemented that the DGT plans to require before B-license holders can jump onto a 125 cc bike. The planned structure is about 7 hours (theory and practice), although the exact program is not yet legally finalized: the measure is still pending publication in the BOE (the State Gazette).

Two key points: the course will not have a final DGT exam, and it will not be retroactive. Those who already ride a 125 cc using their B license will maintain that right. Also, remember that the B+3 years equivalence is only valid in Spain.

A2 License

The A2 is the license that truly allows adults to start riding "real" motorcycles. It allows you to drive bikes up to 35 kW (47 hp) with a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg. There is a common confusion here: the A2 does not limit engine displacement (cc), it limits power. You can ride a 600 cc, 700 cc, or larger bike, as long as it doesn't exceed 35 kW (many brands offer "restrictable" versions for this purpose).

• Minimum Age: 18 years old.
• Tests: Psychotechnical test, specific motorcycle theory (exempt if you have the B license), practical skills test on a closed circuit, and an on-road driving exam.
• Estimated Price: Between 600 and 1,100 euros if starting from scratch; between 500 and 700 euros if you already have the A1.

A License

The A license is the ultimate permit—the "Final Boss." With it, you can drive any motorcycle on the market without power or displacement restrictions.

• Minimum Age: 20 years old, with at least two years of experience with the A2 license.
• Tests: There is no DGT exam. You must complete a mandatory 9-hour training course at a certified driving school.
• Estimated Price: Between 400 and 500 euros in total.
• Safety Requirement: Throughout the course, it is mandatory to wear a certified airbag, for both the student and the instructor.

2026 Updates That Affect You

V-16: Mandatory for Cars, Recommended for Bikes

Since January 1st, 2026, the connected V-16 light is the only legal system for signaling breakdowns or accidents on the road. Warning triangles are officially a thing of the past.Motorcycles are exempt from the obligation to carry this device on board. You cannot be fined for not having one. However, if you decide to signal an emergency stop, the connected V-16 is the only valid system for doing so.

Gloves, Shoulder Riding, and New Alcohol Limits: Pending BOE

The DGT has three more measures in the final stages of approval:

• Certified Gloves: Mandatory (CE EN 13594 standard) on out-of-town roads.
• Shoulder Riding (Arcén): Motorcycles will be allowed to ride on the right shoulder during traffic jams at a maximum speed of 30 km/h.New 
• Alcohol Limit: A reduction to $0.2$ g/l in blood ($0.1$ mg/l in exhaled air). In practice, this means zero alcohol.

These three measures are still pending official publication in the BOE, so they do not yet carry fines, but they are expected to come into effect during 2026.

And Once You Have Your License...

You might wonder how to take your bike wherever you want without having to spend hundreds of kilometers on the highway. That’s where the LittleWay Team folding motorcycle trailer comes in: hitch it to your car, your bike travels safely, and you’re good to go.

• Made in Spain with European homologation.
• Designed to be loaded and unloaded by one person.
• Folds down to 72 centimeters and fits in any corner of the garage.

If you already have a bike, check out our beginner's guide to towing a trailer, where we explain step-by-step how to prepare your setup and adapt your driving from kilometer one.