How to Get a Category A Driving Licence in the Netherlands?

A Category A driving license (in Dutch, rijbewijs categorie A) is the Netherlands’ 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 the Netherlands, the two routes to get it, the age rules, and what it means for larger tricycles.

In the Netherlands, training is conducted through licensed driving schools (rijscholen). Theory and practical exams are administered by the BR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen), and your local municipality issues the license card. Our driving license in the Netherlands and the license eligibility pages are good starting points.

What is a Class A license in the Netherlands?

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 Dutch roads.

A in the motorcycle ladder

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

• A1: light motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW, from age 18.
• A2: motorcycles up to 35 kW, from age 20.
• A: unrestricted motorcycles, by staged access from 22 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 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 the Netherlands:

• Staged access from age 22, if you have held A2 for at least two years.
• Direct entry from age 24, with no need to hold A2 first.

The Netherlands sets its A1 and A2 minimum ages two years above the EU baseline, which pushes the staged-access age for Class A to 22 rather than 20. For motor tricycles with a power output over 15 kW, the minimum age is 21.

Staged access from A2

If you have held an A2 for two years, you can extend A to Class by passing a practical test (AVB and AVD, covering vehicle control and on-road riding) on a Class A motorcycle through CBR. The theory exam 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 rijschool and pass both the CBR theory exam and the practical tests before your municipality issues your license.

Training and exams

Training combines classroom theory on traffic rules and hazard perception with practical riding lessons, first on a closed course and then on public roads. Exact lesson counts vary between rijscholen, so confirm current requirements with your chosen school.

Medical requirements

All applicants must complete a health declaration (Eigen verklaring), including an eyesight check where relevant, before booking the practical test. 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

Dutch driving licenses follow the standard EU photocard validity period before renewal. If Class A is your first driving license, a probationary period with a reduced alcohol limit applies, as it does for new car drivers.

How is your license issued?

Your school handles registration for your CBR exams. Once you pass the required tests, your municipality (gemeente) issues your card license showing the Class A entitlement.

Tips for getting your Class A license in the Netherlands

• If you already hold A2, use staged access from 22 for just the AVB and AVD practical tests.
• For direct entry, submit your health declaration early, since CBR processing can take time.
• Take the test on a manual bike unless you only want to ride automatics.
• Confirm current lesson counts and fees with your chosen rijschool 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 the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands. Always confirm the current rules with the official Dutch government sources before making decisions. The authoritative information is on the government’s CBR 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.