How to Get a Category AM Driving Licence in France?

France’s AM license, still widely known as the BSR by its pre-2013 name, requires no exam at all, just 8 hours of structured training. A genuinely new exemption in 2026 means teenagers in the accompanied-driving program can now drive a voiturette sans permis without having to complete this training separately. This piece covers what AM authorizes from 14, the two vehicle options, and current 2026 costs.

What category does AM cover?

AM authorizes two vehicle types, chosen as separate options during training: cyclomoteurs  two- or three-wheeled scooters and mopeds up to 50cc (or 4 kW for electric motors) and 45 km/h  and quadricycles légers à moteur (voiturettes sans permis), car-bodied vehicles up to 350 kg unladen and 45 km/h, in the L6e vehicle category.

Minimum age

You need to be 14 to enroll. Minors need the ASSR (Attestation Scolaire de Sécurité Routière, levels 1 or 2, obtained during school) or, if not in school, the ASR (Attestation de Sécurité Routière) from an approved center.

Not an exam, just training

This is genuinely different from most license categories. AM isn’t tested with a pass/fail exam; it’s a mandatory 8-hour training course delivered by an approved motorcycle school (moto-école), split into 2 hours off-road, 4 hours in real traffic, and 2 hours of risk-awareness sensitization. At the end, your instructor issues a certificate of completion, which you submit to the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titers Sécurisés) to have your AM card produced.

Choosing your option: cyclomoteur or quadricycle léger

At enrolment, you choose one option or the other. To be authorized for both a 50cc scooter and a voiturette sans permis, you need to complete separate training for each.

The 2026 exemption for accompanied-driving learners

This is a genuinely new development worth knowing about. As of 2026, a minor already engaged in the conduite accompagnée (accompanied early-learning-to-drive) program, once their initial training phase is validated, can legally drive a voiturette sans permis without separately passing the AM training’s practical component for that option. Previously, even accompanied-driving learners had to complete the full 8-hour AM course to drive a voiturette independently at 14. This exemption removes that duplicate requirement.

Documents you’ll need

• Identity document (candidate and legal representative, if a minor)
• Recent proof of address
• A digital ePhoto meeting current online application standards
• ASSR (level 1 or 2) or ASR, depending on your situation
• Parental authorization, plus a parent or guardian present for the minor’s risk-awareness session

From BSR to AM: a brief history

The Brevet de Sécurité Routière was created in 2004 to structure how young people learned to ride mopeds. Following EU Directive 2006/126/EC, which harmonized license categories across the Union, France replaced BSR with the Category AM designation on 19 January 2013 and increased mandatory training from around 5 hours to the current 8 hours. The BSR name has stuck in everyday conversation even though the official Category has changed.

Insurance and vehicle requirements

A 50cc scooter doesn’t need a special number plate; it can use a standard moped plate, but insurance is mandatory, just as for any other motor vehicle. Voiturettes sans permis similarly require standard motor insurance.

What it costs

Training fees for the 8-hour course commonly range from €150–400 depending on the driving school and region, with some quoting narrower ranges around €150–250. In addition to training, there’s typically a modest manufacturing fee (around €25) for the physical AM card, though this can be waived for minors, depending on current administrative rules. Comparing quotes across a few local schools is worthwhile, since prices vary meaningfully.

Who’s exempt entirely

Anyone born before 1 January 1988 doesn’t need an AM to drive a cyclomoteur or voiturette. AM also isn’t required if you already hold another driving license category. Category B (car) or a motorcycle license automatically includes AM riding rights, regardless of when that other license was obtained.

Automatic transmission

Cyclomoteurs and voiturettes are commonly automatic-transmission, so this generally isn’t a separate license restriction issue for AM specifically.

Restrictions that apply

AM-category vehicles can’t use motorways or other restricted-access fast roads, and certain major roads may also be off-limits when the vehicle’s speed is judged insufficient for the traffic flow. Carrying a passenger on a cyclomoteur is only permitted if the machine is homologated for two people and fitted with footrests.

Validity

Since 2013, the AM card has been issued in EU format and is valid for 15 years, renewable through a simple administrative process without a new medical exam or retraining. BSRs obtained before 2013 remain valid indefinitely unless replaced (for example, after loss or theft), in which case the new 15-year format applies.

Tips that actually help

• Decide early whether you want the cyclomoteur or quadricycle léger option, since separate training is needed for each.
• If you’re already in the accompanied-driving program, check whether the 2026 voiturette exemption applies to your situation before booking separate AM training.
• Compare pricing across a few local moto-écoles, since costs vary meaningfully by region.
• Keep your training certificate safe until your physical AM card arrives, since it’s valid proof of your rights in the meantime.

Where does this fit going forward?

AM in France is genuinely accessible from 14, with a training-only process rather than a formal exam. 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 France 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 and may vary by driving school and region in France. Always confirm current requirements with the official French sources before making decisions: Sécurité Routière. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.