How to Get a Category A1 Driving Licence in Albania?

Albania’s Category A1 sits at a genuinely different age threshold than most of its EU neighbors: 18, not the EU baseline of 16. This piece corrects that common assumption and covers what A1 actually authorizes, the real fee structure, the shortcut available to young car-license holders, and current validity periods.

What Category A1 covers

A1 authorizes motorcycles with a cylinder capacity up to 125 cc, a power output up to 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg.

Minimum age

You need to be 18 to hold an A1 in Albania, two years above the EU baseline used across most member states. This is a genuine local characteristic worth planning around if you’re moving from a country where 16-year-olds can already ride a 125cc.

Where A1 sits in Albania’s licensing system

Albania’s categories run AM (16, theory exam only), A1, A2, B1, and B (all from 18), with full Category A reachable at 21 if you’ve already held A1 or A2, or 24 for direct entry with only a Category B license.

The shortcut for young car-license holders

This is genuinely worth knowing. If you hold a Category B (car license) and are between 18 and 21 years old, you can gain A1 or A2 with a practical exam only; no theory exam is required, since you’ve already demonstrated that knowledge for your car license.

Registration and the theory exam

Your driving school submits your registration documents to DRSHTRR (the General Directorate of Road Transport Services), including a copy of your ID card (or, for foreign nationals, a notarised translated passport and valid residence permit), a medical certificate with photo issued no more than six months before your application, and the fiscal invoice from your driving school. The registration service fee is 2,000 lek. DRSHTRR then issues a “LEJE” (permit) valid for six months, during which you can sit the theory exam up to five times, with a minimum of five days between attempts. A retake costs 1,200 lek, but it isn’t charged for your initial application; it's only charged if you need to retake it.

The theory exam for A1, A2, and A consists of 30 questions, with a maximum of three errors allowed and 30 minutes to complete it.

The first-aid course

A first-aid training course is required for first-time applicants, though it’s waived if you already hold a medical or nursing degree, as evidenced by a signed copy of your diploma.

The practical exam

Once you pass the theory, DRSHTRR issues an “AUTORIZIM” (authorization) for practical registration, valid for another six months, at a service fee of 2,800 lek. The practical test typically runs 20–45 minutes, depending on the category.

What it costs

Beyond the registration and authorization service fees already mentioned, a state budget tax of 3,000 lek applies specifically to A1 and A2 categories, and an additional 3,500 lek service fee applies when the license is issued. If you’re applying at a DRSHTRR regional office different from your registered residence, a 600 lek file-transfer fee applies too. Altogether, official fees for A1 commonly total somewhere in the region of 8,000–9,000 lek, separate from your driving school’s own tuition costs, which vary by school and typically make up the larger share of your total spend.

Automatic transmission

Test on an automatic-transmission motorcycle, and your license is marked with EU-harmonised code 78, restricting you to automatic machines; test on a manual, and you’re permitted to ride both.

Upgrading from A1 to A2, and onward to full Category A

If you already hold A1 or A2, you can reach full Category A from age 21 with a practical exam. Without a lower motorcycle category, direct entry to Category A requires being 24, holding Category B, and completing the practical exam through your driving school.

Validity

Albanian driving licenses follow a tiered validity system: 10 years if issued or renewed before age 50, 5 years for ages 50–70, and 3 years for ages over 70, with annual renewal required after turning 80.

Losing or damaging your license

If your license is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you need to report it to the police within 48 hours; they’ll issue a confirmation of the report, which, alongside a declaration of responsibility, lets you obtain a temporary license valid for up to 30 days while your replacement is processed.

Special provisions for disabled riders

Disabled applicants can obtain special A1, A2, or A licenses, with restrictions on specific vehicle types or characteristics noted directly on the license. These license holders cannot drive taxis, rental vehicles for passenger transport, ambulances, or vehicles carrying dangerous goods or more than eight passengers.

What the license document itself looks like

Albania has issued licenses in plastic card format since May 2005, replacing the older paper document, with each license remaining valid until its own printed expiry date, regardless of subsequent format changes.

Foreign residents and license exchange

Non-Albanian nationals with a valid residence permit can apply through the standard process. An International Driving Permit issued in Albania isn’t valid for use within Albania itself if the holder has been a resident there for more than a year. It’s intended for use abroad, in countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, and must always accompany the national license.

Reasons a license can be withdrawn or revoked

Police can immediately withdraw a license for irregularities such as driving with an expired document, failing to attend a required medical or ability re-assessment, or driving under the influence; the latter also triggers suspension. DRSHTRR can revoke a license if the holder no longer meets physical or psychological fitness requirements, no longer satisfies moral character requirements, is found unfit following a re-assessment, or has exchanged their Albanian license for one from another country.

Tips that actually help

• If you’re under 18, remember Albania’s A1 age is 18, not the EU baseline of 16. Plan your timeline accordingly.
• If you already hold a car license and are between 18 and 21, ask about the practical-only shortcut before assuming you need to retake the theory test.
• Keep your medical certificate’s six-month window in mind when timing your application.
• Report a lost or stolen license to the police within 48 hours to access the temporary replacement process.

Where this fits going forward

A1 in Albania is a genuinely useful entry point once you understand the correct age threshold and fee structure. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Albania and license eligibility pages cover the wider picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by case and by authority in Albania. Always confirm current requirements with the official Albanian sources before making decisions: DPSHTRR. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.