Motorcycle License: How to Get One, How Much It Costs, and Which Category You Need

Quick Overview

How do you get a motorcycle license? You choose the appropriate category—AM, A1, A2, or A—meet the age and medical fitness requirements, complete classroom and practical training at a driving school, and then pass a skills test. To obtain a license, you must also have your primary residence in the Czech Republic or, alternatively, have been studying here for at least six months. The specific category depends mainly on your age, the motorcycle’s power, and other specifications. The law explicitly stipulates these basic conditions.

• You can obtain anAM license starting at age 15.
• The A1 license is available starting at age 16 and covers light motorcycles up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW.
• You can obtainan A2 license starting at age 18, and it applies to motorcycles up to 35 kW.
• The A license is typically available starting at age 24, or as early as age 20 if you have held an A2 license for at least two years.
• To obtain a license, you must meet the age and medical requirements, complete driver’s education, and pass the exam.

The limits for each category are set by the Road Traffic Act; for example, the A1 category covers motorcycles up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW, and the A2 category covers motorcycles up to 35 kW.

However, if you’re no longer dealing with getting your first driver’s license but rather with a driving ban, license revocation, or administrative proceedings, you don’t have to navigate the legal process on your own. We’ll help you.

You Need a Driver’s License Even for a Scooter

Although it may not seem like it at first glance, even a small scooter with an engine displacement of up to 50 ccm is a motor vehicle and is subject to the same rules as large motorcycles. This means that you should not ride it anywhere without a driver’s license if you do not want to break the law.

Driver’s license categories are divided as follows:

• AM: ages 15 and up, mopeds and scooters up to 50 cc (max. 45 km/h)
• A1: age 16 and older, motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW
• A2: 18 years and older, motorcycles up to 35 kW
• A: no power restrictions, 24 years of age or older, or after 2 years of experience with an A2 license

For electric scooters and other electric vehicles, it is therefore not enough to simply consider that they have an electric motor. Their technical parameters and vehicle classification—particularly their design speed—are decisive. For two-wheeled motor vehicles in the AM category, the design speed is typically greater than 25 km/h and no more than 45 km/h. For electric scooters, therefore, the need for a driver’s license cannot be assessed solely based on the motor’s power.

How to Get a Motorcycle License

If you want to get a motorcycle driver’s license, it’s not enough to just choose the right license category. You must meet the legal requirements and complete instruction, training, and a final exam.

The process is generally as follows:

1. Select the correct license category. This is primarily determined by your age and the type of motorcycle you want to ride.
2. Undergo a medical examination. Medical fitness is one of the legal requirements for obtaining a driver’s license.
3. Enroll in a driving school. You’ll undergo both classroom instruction and practical training.
4. Take the final exam. This includes testing your knowledge of traffic rules and your practical skills in handling the motorcycle and riding.
5. After passing the exam, apply for a driver’s license. The license is issued by the municipal office with extended jurisdiction.

The Road Traffic Act stipulates, among other things, requirements regarding age, medical and professional fitness, and habitual residence or at least six months of study in the Czech Republic. The practical test for motorcycle categories also includes specific maneuvers demonstrating the ability to operate a motorcycle independently.

Tip: If you already have a Class B driver’s license, you don’t always need to get a separate “motorcycle license.” Among other things, a Class B license authorizes you to drive Class A1 vehicles with an automatic transmission, and every class except Class T also authorizes you to drive Class AM vehicles.

How much will a motorcycle license cost in 2026?

If you’re wondering how much a motorcycle license will cost you, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward. The cost of a motorcycle license consists of several parts:

• Driving school (training and instruction): approx. 12,000–18,000 CZK, depending on the category and location
• Medical exam: 300–500 CZK
• Test fee: 700 CZK
• License issuance: 200 CZK

For example, a scooter license (i.e., Class AM) can cost you approximately 13,000 CZK. The cost of a motorcycle license for Class A2 or A can reach up to 20,000 CZK.

How much does a motorcycle driver’s license cost in total? The biggest expense is usually the driving school itself, and its price varies depending on the category, city, and specific school. On top of that, you’ll need to add the cost of the medical exam and administrative fees. The fee for the first skills test is 700 CZK; additional fees may apply if you have to retake individual parts of the test.

And now a legal note: According to the Act on Acquiring and Improving Professional Competence to Drive Motor Vehicles, a driving school is required to provide instruction in accordance with precisely defined rules. If a school offers you a “fast-track course” or the option to “save money” by skipping the driving lessons, this is a violation of the law, and you, as the applicant, could face problems as a result.

We were once contacted by a student who paid a driving school in Brno 15,000 CZK for an A1 course. However, the school did not let her complete all the mandatory driving lessons, claiming that she had already done enough, that she was skilled, and that she could take the exam. During the test, however, the examiner failed her, and the school refused to refund her money. This led to a dispute with the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) and the filing of a complaint with the municipal office with extended jurisdiction.

Driving Without a License: A Misdemeanor or a Felony?

If you ride a motorcycle without holding a driver’s license for the appropriate category, you are committing an administrative offense under the Road Traffic Act. In 2026, this offense may result in a fine ranging from 25,000 to 75,000 CZK and a driving ban lasting 18 months to 3 years. Therefore, it is not enough to have “just any driver’s license”—the license must actually cover the category of motorcycle you are riding.

Simply driving without the appropriate driver’s license is an administrative offense. However, a criminal offense may arise depending on other circumstances—for example, if a driver gets behind the wheel despite a legally enforceable driving ban. In the event of an accident, separate criminal liability may arise, for example, for causing injury or death. It cannot therefore be generally stated that repeatedly riding without a license automatically “becomes” a criminal offense.

From attorneys’ experience: A common problem is not just when a person lacks a driver’s license altogether. Drivers sometimes overlook the fact that their current license category does not cover the specific motorcycle they wish to ride. Before riding, we therefore recommend checking not only the engine displacement but also the power, technical specifications, and scope of authorization listed in the driver registry.

What if you cause an accident and don’t have a motorcycle license?

Driving without a license is one thing. Causing an accident while doing so is another. If you cause a traffic accident without a valid driver’s license, you’ll face serious consequences in terms of civil liability as well.

Even if you have statutory insurance (known as “compulsory liability insurance”), the insurance company may subsequently seek reimbursement from you. This is called “recourse compensation.” The insurance company will demand that you repay everything it paid to the injured party, and that amount could easily run into several million crowns.

A young man without a driver’s license struck an elderly woman at a crosswalk. The insurance company initially paid the woman over 580,000 crowns as compensation for her injuries. However, it subsequently sued the young man for the full amount. The court ruled in the insurance company’s favor because the man was driving without a license and knowingly violated the law.

Add to that liability under the Civil Code (Section 2894 et seq.) and potential criminal liability in cases of serious bodily injury or death.

How does a motorcycle driver’s license work abroad?

A driver’s license issued in another EU or EEA member state is generally recognized in the Czech Republic. For driver’s licenses from countries outside the EU, it depends on whether the license complies with international conventions and on the holder’s residency status in the Czech Republic.

If you have permanent residence or temporary residence lasting longer than one year, you may be required to exchange your foreign license for a Czech one. For some other foreign licenses, you may also be required to take a skills test.

When can your motorcycle driver’s license be revoked?

There are several legal reasons why your driver’s license may be revoked. Whether due to the point system, alcohol, or health reasons—revocation is not final. In many cases, you have the right to defend yourself.

The most common reasons for the revocation of a motorcycle license:

1. Reaching 12 points in the point system: By law, your license will be revoked if you accumulate 12 points for traffic violations as a driver. Typically, these include speeding, using a cell phone while driving, or riding without a helmet. Once you reach this limit, the authorities will send you a notice of license revocation—this is automatic and cannot be avoided.

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: If the police catch you riding a motorcycle with alcohol or drugs in your system, it is a serious traffic violation or even a criminal offense. In such cases, the revocation of your driver’s license is virtually certain—typically for 6 to 18 months, and even longer in serious cases.

3. Serious traffic violations: These include, for example, dangerous passing, driving in the wrong direction, significantly exceeding the speed limit, or failing to stop at a stop sign. Even a single violation can lead to immediate revocation of your license if it is classified as a threat to traffic safety.

4. Medical reasons: If your doctor (general practitioner or specialist) concludes that you are medically unfit to drive (e.g., due to impaired vision, a seizure disorder, or mental health issues), they may issue a medical report on the basis of which the authorities will revoke your license. In such a case, you may be required to undergo a new medical examination or, if necessary, tests with a traffic psychologist.

As a driver, you have the right to review the case file, submit a statement or appeal, be represented by an attorney, and request a reduction or postponement of the penalty in justified cases (e.g., due to social circumstances or a job that depends on driving).

If your driver’s license was revoked, for example, due to points on your record or a driving ban, you may apply to have your driver’s license reinstated after the specified period has elapsed. This usually requires passing a traffic psychology evaluation, retaking the proficiency tests (written tests, road test, medical examination), and providing proof of good conduct and medical fitness.

Summary

Depending on the license category, you can obtain a motorcycle license at age 15, 16, 18, or 24; for Category A, you must be at least 20 years old after holding an A2 license for two years. To obtain a license, you must meet the legal requirements, complete instruction and training at a driving school, and pass the exam. The cost of a motorcycle license depends mainly on the price charged by the specific driving school and the license category; you must also factor in the cost of a medical exam and administrative fees. Driving without the appropriate license can result in a hefty fine and a lengthy driving suspension. If you are already dealing with the revocation, loss, or suspension of your license, the specific procedure for regaining your driver’s license depends on the reason you lost it.