How to Get a Category A2 Driving Licence in Bulgaria?

A Category A2 driving license (in Bulgarian, категория A2) is Bulgaria’s mid-power motorcycle license, the middle rung between the entry-level A1 and the fully unrestricted Class A. It lets you ride motorcycles up to 35 kW (48 PS) with a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg. This guide covers what Class A2 actually means in Bulgaria, the two routes to get it, the training and exam process, and what happens if you later want to move up to full Class A.

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

What is a Class A2 license in Bulgaria?

Class A2 authorizes you to ride motorcycles with a motor output of up to 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW per kilogram of the motorcycle’s unladen weight, as defined by the harmonized EU definition and applied identically in Bulgaria. There is no cc limit written into the definition; power output and power-to-weight ratio are what matter legally.

Where does A2 sit in the Bulgarian motorcycle ladder

Bulgaria follows the standard EU baseline age structure across its three motorcycle categories:

• A1:motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW and 0.1 kW/kg, from age 16.
• A2: motorcycles up to 35 kW and 0.2 kW/kg, from age 18.
• A: motorcycles with no power restriction, from age 24 by direct entry, or 20 if you have held A2 for at least two years.

Class A automatically includes the entitlement to ride A1- and A2-category vehicles, so the latter is cumulative, but A2 is a genuine, standalone category for many riders.

What can you actually ride with an A2 license?

With Class A2, you can ride any motorcycle, naked, sport, adventure, or cruiser, provided it meets the 35 kW / 0.2 kW/kg limits, on all Bulgarian roads. If a motorcycle’s standard factory output exceeds 35 kW, it can be supplied power-restricted, but only if the machine’s original, unrestricted output does not exceed 70 kW.

Two routes to A2: direct entry and staged access

There are two ways to reach Class A2 in Bulgaria:

• Direct entry: if you don’t already hold Class A1, you complete the full theory and practical training package at a licensed driving school and pass both the theory and practical exams from age 18.
• Staged access: if you have already held Class A1 for at least two years, you can extend to A2 by passing a practical test on an A2-spec motorcycle at an approved driving school and exam center. The theory pass you already have for A1 is not repeated.

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 direct-entry and staged-access 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.

Does A2 include A1?

Yes. Because Class A2 covers a strictly wider power range than A1, holding A2 also entitles you to ride A1-category vehicles. You don’t need to hold A1 separately once you have A2.

Upgrading from A2 to full Class A later

If you’ve held Class A2 for at least two years, you can move up to the fully unrestricted Class A from age 20 rather than waiting until 24 for direct entry. You’ll extend your license by passing a practical test on a Class A motorcycle at an approved driving school; the theory exam you already passed for A2 is not repeated.

Validity

Bulgarian driving licenses, including Class A2, follow the standard EU photocard administrative validity period before they require renewal.

How is your license actually issued?

Your driving school handles registration for your exams. Once you pass the required tests, the traffic police (KAT) issue your license card showing the Class A2 entitlement.

Tips for getting your Class A2 license in Bulgaria

• If you already hold A1, use staged access from 18 for the practical test only; no theory retest.
• For direct entry, book your medical examination early, along with your driving school registration.
• 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.

Reach the middle of the motorcycle ladder.

A Class A2 license opens up a genuinely capable range of mid-size motorcycles in Bulgaria. 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.