How to Get a Category AM Driving Licence in Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan has just introduced moped licensing for the first time in its history. From 26 March 2026, riders who previously needed no registration or license at all must now hold the “A1” subcategory, Azerbaijan’s own name for what most of Europe calls AM. This piece explains the naming difference and the genuinely brand-new requirements.

Azerbaijan uses “A1,” not “AM”

This is genuinely important to understand before anything else. Azerbaijan’s licensing system doesn’t use “AM” as a category name. Instead, “A1” is Azerbaijan’s own subcategory specifically for mopeds, a different naming convention from that of most EU countries, where A1 typically refers to 125cc motorcycles. Don’t confuse Azerbaijan’s A1 (mopeds) with the EU’s A1 (light motorcycles); they cover entirely different vehicles.

What the A1 subcategory covers

A1 authorizes mopeds: two- or three-wheeled vehicles with an electric motor (excluding small electric personal transporters) or an internal combustion engine not exceeding 50cc, and a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h.

Minimum age

You need to be 16 to hold an A1 category license for mopeds.

The brand-new March 2026 requirement

This is genuinely significant. Until recently, mopeds in Azerbaijan required neither state registration nor a licensed rider. Following a law signed by the President on 26 December 2025, effective from 26 March 2026, mopeds must now be state-registered, and anyone riding one must hold the A1 subcategory license. Before this date, thousands of people rode mopeds and small-engine vehicles without registration or a license. This reform closes that gap entirely.

A related clarification: what actually counts as a moped

A separate legislative clarification addressed a genuine loophole. Under the precise legal definition, a vehicle only counts as a moped if its engine displacement doesn’t exceed 50cc AND its design speed doesn’t exceed 50 km/h. Vehicles exceeding either threshold, even if their engine is small but their actual speed is higher, sometimes 80–90 km/h, are legally motorcycles, not mopeds, requiring full state registration, number plates, and at least the A1 subcategory or full Category A license, following the same standard as any other motorcycle.

Suspension-motor bicycles and similar devices

Suspension-motor bicycles and similar devices are now treated as equivalent to mopeds under the amended law, except for a handful of specific legal provisions. Anyone still using such a device that doesn’t fall under the moped definition must ride in the rightmost lane, following applicable road signage and markings.

Documents you’ll need

• Identity document
• Medical certificate (Form 083), including an eye examination
• Proof of payment for exam fees
• Training completion certificate, where applicable
• Completed application for the driving exam

The exam process

Exams are conducted at the State Road Police Department’s (DYP) dedicated training and examination centers, covering both theory and practical components appropriate to the A1 subcategory.

Automatic transmission

A person who passes the practical exam on a mechanical-transmission vehicle gains the right to ride both mechanical- and automatic-transmission vehicles; passing on an automatic-transmission vehicle alone restricts you to automatics only.

Where A1 sits in Azerbaijan’s motorcycle system

Above A1, Azerbaijan runs a full Category A (18), covering motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and other motorized vehicles, which is genuinely broader in scope than A1 alone, since it also authorizes everything A1 does.

Validity

Azerbaijani driving licenses follow standard administrative validity periods, subject to any applicable renewal requirements.

Tips that actually help

• If you currently ride a moped without registration or a license, sort this out before 26 March 2026, as the new requirement takes effect from that date.
• Check your vehicle’s actual design speed, not just its engine size, since exceeding 50 km/h reclassifies it as a motorcycle requiring the same A1 or full Category A license anyway.
• Gather your medical certificate and eye examination results early, since both are standard application requirements.
• Don’t confuse Azerbaijan’s A1 (mopeds) with the EU’s A1 (125cc motorcycles) if you’re comparing rules across countries.

Where does this fit going forward?

The A1 subcategory in Azerbaijan is undergoing a genuinely major transformation, moving from an unregulated space to full licensing and registration requirements. 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 Azerbaijan and license eligibility pages provide the broader 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. The moped licensing requirement described here takes effect on 26 March 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the official Azerbaijani source, the State Road Police Department (DYP), before making decisions. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.