With the development of ecological thinking, more and more people are turning to electric vehicles. This has allowed the popularization of electric vehicles such as electric motorcycles.
The problem is that many people interested in electric motorcycles do not have a motorcycle license. If this is your case, then don’t worry because it is possible to drive a motorcycle without a license. Read this article to learn more about how to drive an electric motorcycle without a license.
Also known as a class A license, the motorcycle license allows you to drive all types of motorcycles, electric or not. This license even allows you to drive three-wheeled vehicles and sidecars. If you wish to apply for it, know that there are certain conditions:
- The prior acquisition of the A2 license.
- A minimum of 2 years of practice.
- 7 hours of specific training delivered by a recognized driving school.
However, if you do not wish to go through all these steps, you can still drive an electric motorcycle without a license. Indeed, if you have a B license you have the right to drive an electric motorcycle with a maximum power of 11 kW (50 and 125cc).
This license also allows you to drive three and four-wheeled electric scooters without power limitation. However, to be able to drive an electric motorcycle with a B license, certain conditions must be met. In all other cases, you must have one of the other licenses allowing the use of an electric motorcycle.
What are the conditions to drive an electric motorcycle with a B license?
If you wish to drive an electric motorcycle with your B license, you must meet 2 conditions. The first condition is to have your B license for more than two years. The second condition is that you must undergo an additional 7 hours of training in a driving school.
How does the training proceed?
The 7-hour training you need to follow is a mix of theory and practice divided as follows:
- 2 hours of theory: During these hours of class, you will analyze the most frequent accidents involving motorcycles. You will also study their psychological and physical consequences. Finally, you will receive advice for very complicated aspects such as night driving and protective clothing.
- 2 hours of practice off-road or on a training lot: These hours allow you to perform and perfect your handling of the vehicle. You will thus learn the various technical checks such as tire and brake wear. These hours also allow you to learn to accelerate, brake, take turns, and stop.
- 3 hours of practice in traffic: These hours are the most important, they allow you to verify that you have assimilated what you have learned. During these 3 hours, you will have to choose the best lane, detect blind spots of vehicles, cross intersections, etc.
As you have understood, this training allows you to acquire all the information you need to drive an electric motorcycle. However, you should know that you can, under certain conditions, be exempted from this training. Indeed, if you meet the following two conditions, you can be exempted from this training:
- Having used or insured a light motorcycle or a motorized three-wheeler in the 5 years preceding January 1st, 2011. This is because January 1st, 2011, is the date of entry into force of the 7-hour training.
- Having any category of driving license obtained before March 1st, 1980.
Keep in mind that the 7-hour training associated with the B license is equivalent to obtaining an A1 license. It therefore allows you to drive any electric motorcycle or scooter with power less than 11 KW.
If you do not have a B license, do not worry, it is still possible for you to drive an electric motorcycle. Indeed, if you meet certain conditions you can drive an electric motorcycle without an A or B license with no problem.
How to drive an electric motorcycle without a license?
Driving an electric motorcycle is an activity that requires a minimum of knowledge and practice. This is as much for your safety as for the safety of other road users, whether you are in metropolitan areas or not. This is why you must always undergo training in order to be able to drive an electric motorcycle. Here are the different licenses apart from the A license allowing you to drive an electric motorcycle.
The A1 license
Also known as the light motorcycle license, the A1 license allows you to drive light electric motorcycles. These electric motorcycles have a motor power not exceeding 11 kW with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg.
To be able to apply for this license, you must be at least 16 years old. You must also possess the road safety education certificate of 2nd level (ASSR2) or the road safety certificate (ASR).
NB:In case of loss or theft of these certificates, you can make a declaration on honor.
Also, to have the A1 license, you must be French. Otherwise, if you have the nationality of one of the European Economic Area states, you must have your personal or professional ties in France. This is for at least 6 months. If on the other hand you are a foreigner, you must have been living in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.
Finally, if you wish to apply for this license, you must be in good health. If this is not the case, then you must undergo a medical check-up by an approved doctor before the exam.
The AM license
Accessible from the age of 14, this license allows you to drive electric motorcycles with a power of 1 to 4 kW. To obtain it, you must have the ASSR1 or ASSR2 and parental authorization is also necessary for minors.
The training to obtain this license is provided in establishments approved by the prefect. These institutions can be driving schools, associations, etc. The training for obtaining the AM license is provided by qualified instructors and lasts at least 8 hours. These 8 hours are spread over two days divided into several areas as follows:
- Road safety: During this sequence, the instructor will discuss road safety with the learners. He will thus explain behaviors, risks, limits, and all the details related to driving.
- Off-road driving: During these two sessions, you will review basic knowledge of traffic laws.
- Awareness of road hazards: This sequence takes place in the presence of at least one of the parents or legal guardians of the minor student.
NB: throughout the training, the learner is required to wear a helmet, gloves, clothing, and shoes suitable for driving an electric motorcycle.
Once this training is completed, the learner is issued a certificate by the head of the driving school. This certificate authorizes its holder to drive mopeds or light quadricycles. This is for 4 months from the date of issuance of the certificate. Once this period has passed, permission to drive these vehicles will be conditioned on the possession of the AM category of the driving license.
The A2 license
Allowing you to drive electric motorcycles with a power equal to or less than 35 kW, the A2 license is accessible from the age of 18. Know that this license allows you to drive electric motorcycles with a maximum power not exceeding 70 KW.
To be able to apply for this license, you must possess the ASSR or ASR. You must also be in compliance with the obligations of national service day (JDC) if you are French. On the other hand, if you are European, you must have your personal or professional ties in France for 6 months. If you are a foreigner, you must have been living in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.
The exam for this license takes place in 2 stages, a theoretical test (the driving theory test) and a practical test. You can avoid taking the driving theory test if you have had a category of license for less than 5 years. As for the practical test, it is conducted in 2 stages as follows:
- An off-road test of 17 minutes which includes an oral interrogation on safety rules.
- A driving test in traffic for a duration of 35 minutes.
Conclusion
To conclude, we can say that there are many ways to drive an electric motorcycle without having a license. Among other things, you can follow a 7-hour training if you have had a B license for at least 2 years. You can also apply for the A1 license by taking a 7-hour training. If you do not wish to apply for the A1 license, you can always apply for the A2 license or the AM license.
In short, there are numerous solutions to avoid the A license available to you. You just have to choose the solution that suits you best depending on the type of electric motorcycle you wish to drive.
