How to pass the Spanish A1 motorcycle licence (125 cc) 2026

To sit the A1 you must be at least 16, have legal residence in Spain (DNI or NIE), a valid medical/psychotechnical certificate and the paid DGT fee (€94.05). There is no official minimum number of practical lessons, but most schools recommend at least 6–10 motorcycle lessons before the practical exam. A1 authorises motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW (15 hp) maximum power and a 0.1 kW/kg power-to-weight ratio, plus motor tricycles up to 15 kW.

If you already hold a B licence with 3+ years' seniority you can ride the same motorcycles as an A1 holder without exams, although some Spanish regions require a 9-hour combined theory-and-practical course at a school. A1 is also the foundation for progressing to A2 (motorcycles up to 35 kW) after 2 years, and from A2 to A (unrestricted) after another 2 years — the so-called A1 → A2 → A bridge.

The A1 theory exam has 30 multiple-choice questions with several answer options, 30 minutes total and a maximum of 3 wrong answers to pass. It is taken on a computer at an official DGT centre. It shares the common syllabus with other permits (signage, regulations, priority, speed) but adds motorcycle-specific questions: mandatory protective gear, two-wheel riding technique, motorcycle and tricycle regulations.

The blocks with the most questions are usually signage (vertical and horizontal), priority, maximum speed and motorcycle-specific regulation. Mastering mandatory gear matters: approved and fastened helmet, gloves required for rider and pillion, and the ban on items that reduce vision or hearing. The motorcycle penalty system (points, fines) also features heavily.

To prepare the theory you need 3–6 weeks studying 30–45 minutes a day. Combine topic-based theory, 30-question simulations and systematic mistake review. The signal you are ready: 5 consecutive simulations with 1 wrong or fewer. If you exceed 3 wrong in recent simulations, do not book the real exam yet — you'd lose the slot and the money.

After passing the theory comes the first practical: a closed-circuit manoeuvre course where you demonstrate low- and medium-speed control. The standard manoeuvres — head up at all times, no feet on the ground (one foot-down can be disqualifying in some tests) — are: slow-speed balance along a line, slalom between cones, figure-of-eight within a rectangle, mid-speed obstacle avoidance, and emergency braking from a minimum speed to a full stop within a limited distance.

Continuous practice on your school's training course is the only thing that prepares you for this test. Most failures come from two points: slow-speed balance (foot down, leaving the line) and emergency braking (braking late, locking the wheel, not stopping in the marked distance). Ask the instructor to time the manoeuvres from the fourth or fifth practical so you reach exam day with a feel for the exact speeds.

The on-road test lasts about 25–30 minutes and consists of riding in real traffic with the examiner following in a car, communicating with you over radio (the bike and helmet carry an earpiece). They direct turns, lane changes, motorway-style entries and specific manoeuvres: overtaking, U-turn, parking. The examiner is not looking for a perfect rider, they are looking for a safe, predictable rider who respects the rules.

Typical disqualifying mistakes: ignoring a stop or give-way, crossing into the opposite lane on a bend, not signalling manoeuvres, obvious speeding, and failing to check the blind spot before changing lane. Ride defensively: constant mirror checks, anticipate other drivers, keep safety distance, and above all signal early. If the examiner corrects you or asks you to repeat something, that doesn't mean you've failed — keep riding calmly to the end.

Theory test: confusing maximum speeds per road type for motorcycles (usually identical to cars, not lower), forgetting pillion-specific rules (minimum pillion age, mandatory gear for both) and missing less-frequent signs like roadworks, marshalling and motorcycle-specific lanes. Study with simulations that mix all topics, not only motorcycle-specific ones.

On the circuit: the costliest mistake is a poorly executed emergency brake — braking too late from fear of locking, missing the distance or, worse, locking the rear wheel. The correct technique is progressive pressure on the front brake (which provides 70 % of stopping power), light rear brake support and body weight shifted back. Drill this manoeuvre until it feels automatic.

On-road: the most frequent mistake is failing to check the blind spot before changing lane or leaving a roundabout. Motorcycle mirrors are limited; the examiner expects a clear head-check, not just a mirror glance. Other errors: not signalling roundabout exits, ignoring safety distance, and going over the speed limit in town (the examiner's fixed radar is the feared one). When in doubt, always pick the more prudent option.

Total cost of the A1 in Spain is €500–€900. Typical breakdown: DGT fee €94.05 (covers all three exams across two attempts each), medical/psychotechnical €35–€60, school enrolment €100–€200, and motorcycle lessons €25–€40 per 45-minute session (recommended minimum 6–10 lessons). Differences between schools and regions can reach €300, so get quotes before enrolling.

Total time from enrolment to holding the licence is typically 2–4 months. Theory can be prepared in 3–4 weeks. Practical lessons usually take 4–8 weeks depending on your availability and the school's schedule. The DGT exam-slot wait can add 2–4 weeks between exams. Passing all three exams first-time saves significant money and time: each fail forces more lessons and another slot wait.