Motorcycle theory licence in Belgium (A, A1, A2)
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Aiming for a motorcycle licence? The motorcycle theory exam largely relies on the shared highway code. Here are categories A, A1 and A2 and how to revise the code basics.
Motorcycle licence categories
A1, A2, A
A1 (light motorcycle), A2 (intermediate power) and A (unrestricted). Each has its own age and access conditions.
Shared basis: the code
The theory exam relies on the Belgian highway code: signs, priorities, speed.
Prepare the theory
Our courses and tests cover the shared highway code, the basis of the theory exam.
The good news first: the Highway Code is shared
There is no separate motorcycle Highway Code in Belgium. Road signs, priority, speed limits, stopping and parking are identical to what applies to a car. If you have already prepared for a category B theory exam, the largest part of the work is done.
What is added are the topics where a two-wheeler behaves differently: position on the carriageway, visibility to other drivers, filtering, equipment, and how road surface and markings affect braking.
A1, A2, A: what you may ride
The three categories differ by engine power and by access age, within a system built around progressive access: you start on a lighter category and move up after two years of experience, or you wait for the direct-access age.
Concretely: holding A1 for at least two years exempts you from the theory exam and lets you take the A2 practical test from 20, after four hours of training at an approved school. Holding A2 for at least two years works the same way for A from 22. Without A2, direct access to A is from 24.
| Category | Machine | Age for the practical test |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Up to 125 cc, 11 kW, 0.1 kW/kg | 18 |
| A2 | Up to 35 kW, under 0.2 kW/kg | 20 |
| A | Over 35 kW, unrestricted | 24, or 22 via A2 |
What the motorcycle theory adds
The shared Highway Code remains the bulk of the syllabus. Alongside it, a handful of themes are tested because they play out differently on two wheels.
- Position on the carriageway and being visible to drivers who are not looking for you.
- Overtaking and filtering: what is permitted, where, and under what conditions.
- Equipment: helmet and protective clothing, and what the regulations actually require.
- Braking and road surface: wet surfaces, tram rails and painted markings.
- Vulnerable road user status: a motorcyclist is seen late, and the exam tests awareness of that.
If you already hold a category B licence
Whether you must sit a theory exam again depends on the category you are aiming for and on your own situation: in some cases an exemption exists, in others a motorcycle theory exam is required. The rules also depend on when your category B licence was issued.
What holds in every case is that the Highway Code is shared. Going back over signs, priority and speed is never wasted time, even if you turn out to be exempt - the exam you do have to take builds on exactly that base.
Motorcycle categories
- 3 — categories: A1, A2, A
- 50 — exam questions
- 41/50 — to pass
- 1 — shared Highway Code
Frequently asked questions
Where to revise the code for the motorcycle licence?
The highway code is shared: you can revise signs, priorities and speed for free on PermisBelges.be before the theory exam.
Is motorcycle theory different from car theory in Belgium?
The Highway Code is shared: signs, priority, speed and parking are identical. Added on top are themes specific to two-wheelers - position on the road, filtering, equipment, visibility and braking on different surfaces.
What is the difference between A1, A2 and A?
Engine power and access age. You can move from A2 to A after a period of experience, or wait for the direct-access age for A. Check the official thresholds for your situation.
Do I need to retake the theory exam if I already hold a category B licence?
It depends on the category you want and on your situation, including when your B licence was issued. In some cases an exemption applies; in others a motorcycle theory exam is required.
How many questions are in the exam?
Fifty, with 41 points needed to pass. A minor mistake costs one point and a serious mistake five.