How to Get a Category A Driving Licence in Bulgaria?

A Category A driving license (in Bulgarian, категория А, svidetelstvo za upravlenie na MPS kategoriya A) is Bulgaria’s full, unrestricted motorcycle license, the top of the motorcycle ladder. It lets you ride any motorcycle, with no limits on power, engine size, or power-to-weight ratio. This guide explains what Class A covers in Bulgaria, the two routes to get it, the age rules, and what it means for larger tricycles.

In Bulgaria, motorcycle training and testing are rarely conducted through licensed driving schools, and the license is issued by the Ministry of Interior’s traffic police (КАТ, KAT). Our driving license in Bulgaria and the license eligibility pages are good starting points.

What is a Class A license in Bulgaria?

Class A covers motorcycles with no power restriction; there is no limit on displacement, power, or power-to-weight ratio, and also motor tricycles with power over 15 kW. It is the highest motorcycle category and the only one that lets you ride the most powerful bikes on all roads.

A in the motorcycle ladder

A is the top of the three motorcycle categories in Bulgaria:

• A1: light motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW, from age 16.
• A2: motorcycles up to 35 kW, for riders aged 18 and above.
• A: unrestricted motorcycles, by staged access from 20 or direct entry from 24.

What can you ride with a Class A license?

With Class A, you can ride any motorcycle, regardless of power or engine size, carry a passenger, and use all roads. This opens up the full range of machines, large touring and adventure bikes, powerful sport bikes, and big cruisers that are off-limits in the lower categories.

Two routes: staged access and direct entry

There are two ways to reach a full Class A license in Bulgaria:

• Staged access from age 20, if you have held A2 for at least two years.
• Direct entry from age 24, with no need to hold A2 first.

For motor tricycles with a power output over 15 kW, the minimum age is 21.

Staged access from A2

This is the quicker route if you already hold A2. After two years on A2, you extend A to Class by passing a practical test on a Class A motorcycle at an approved driving school and exam center. The theory test you already passed for A2 is not repeated.

Direct entry at 24

If you go straight to Class A without holding A2, the minimum age is 24. You complete the full theory and practical training through a licensed driving school and pass both the theory and practical exams on a Class A machine before the traffic police issue your license.

Training and exams

Training runs through licensed driving schools (автошкола), combining classroom theory with practical riding lessons on a closed course before moving to public roads. Exact lesson counts and course structure vary between schools within the framework set by the Ministry of Transport, so confirm current requirements with your chosen school.

Medical requirements

All applicants must pass a medical fitness examination, including an eyesight check, carried out by an approved doctor before the license is issued. This applies to both the staged and direct-entry routes.

Automatic transmission restriction

Worth knowing: if you take the practical exam on a motorcycle with automatic transmission, your license is restricted to automatic machines under EU-wide code 78. If you want to ride any motorcycle, take the test on a manual.

Licenses you get with A

A full Class A license includes A2 and A1, so you can also ride mid-power and light motorcycles. It is the complete two-wheel entitlement, with no power limit to work around.

Validity and probation

Bulgarian driving licenses follow the standard EU photocard validity period before renewal is required. If Class A is your first driving license, a probationary period with reduced infraction tolerances applies, as for new car drivers.

How is your license issued?

Your driving school handles the registration for your exams. Once you pass the required theory and practical tests, the traffic police (KAT) issue your card license showing the Class A entitlement.

Tips for getting your Class A license in Bulgaria

• If you already hold A2, use staged access from 20 just for the practical test.
• For direct entry, book your medical examination early when you register with your driving school.
• Take the test on a manual bike unless you only want to ride automatics.
• Confirm current lesson counts with your chosen driving school before enrolling.
• Note that powerful tricycles fall under Class A from age 21.

Reach the top of the motorcycle ladder.

A Class A license gives you the freedom to ride any motorcycle in Bulgaria and completes the two-wheel ladder. As you progress through the licensing system and, in time, toward professional car, truck, or bus categories, you can register in the driver section, explore vacancies, and see what employers are hiring for on FastDriver.eu, along with our guides on the jobs pages.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. License categories, vehicle definitions, ages, medical standards, training requirements, and fees can change and may vary by case and by authority in Bulgaria. Always confirm the current rules with the official Bulgarian government sources before making decisions. The authoritative information is on the government’s Ministry of Interior pages, and the EU framework is in the EUR-Lex text of Directive (EU) 2025/2205. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for actions taken based on this information.