In Portugal the motorcycle licence comes in three categories: A1, from age 16, for bikes up to 125 cc and 11 kW; A2, from 18, for bikes up to 35 kW; and A, with no power limit, from 24, or from 20 if you have held A2 for two years.
You get it through a driving school, with a theory test and a riding test. IMT fees add up to €90 and the course at the schools we checked costs about €500.
This guide explains what each category lets you ride, who can ride a 125 on a car licence, the steps to get the licence, what it costs, and what used bikes suitable for a first licence cost, with figures from the adverts on AUTO.MOTO.pt.
A1 licence: 125 cc from age 16
Category A1 covers motorcycles up to 125 cc, with a maximum power of 11 kW (about 15 hp) and a power-to-weight ratio of up to 0.1 kW/kg. It also includes tricycles up to 15 kW. This is the licence for the scooters and small bikes you see every day in Lisbon and Porto traffic.
The minimum age is 16. According to IMT, on its motorcycle licence page, applicants under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian and a full birth certificate.
A2 licence: bikes up to 35 kW from age 18
The A2 licence lets you ride motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW (about 47 hp) and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg. You can take it from age 18, and it covers everything A1 allows.
There is a third limit many buyers forget: the bike must not be derived from a version with more than double its power. In practice, a bike restricted to 35 kW only qualifies for A2 if the original version does not exceed 70 kW, about 94 hp. All three rules come from the EU Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences.
Which bikes you can ride on an A2 licence
On A2 you can choose from many naked bikes, trail bikes and mid-size scooters that have 35 kW or less from the factory, and also more powerful bikes sold in a restricted A2 version. Before buying a restricted bike, check that the restriction is documented and that the original power fits the double-power rule.
- fine for A2: a bike with 35 kW or less and a power-to-weight ratio within the limit;
- may qualify if restricted: a bike with more than 35 kW and up to 70 kW from the factory, once reduced to 35 kW;
- does not qualify: a bike with more than 70 kW from the factory, even if it has been restricted.
A licence: every motorcycle, at 24 or at 20 with A2
Category A has no engine size or power limit. The minimum age is 24. If you have held an A2 licence for at least two years, you can move up to A at 20, known as progressive access.
After two years in the lower category, a driving school is no longer required to move up. IMT states that holders of A1 or A2 for more than two years who want A2 or A respectively can sit the test as a self-candidate (autopropositura), without a driving school.
Can I ride a 125 on a car licence?
Yes, under certain conditions. Holders of a valid category B licence can ride motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW if they are 25 or older, or, before that, if they hold a valid moped licence. The rule was added to the Highway Code by Law no. 78/2009 and does not require a motorcycle test. A B licence also covers mopeds (category AM).
It is a Portuguese rule: in other countries a car licence may not be enough to ride a 125. If you ride into Spain or rent a scooter abroad, check first.
B licence holders who want A1 on the licence itself, for example because they are not yet 25, can sit the test as a self-candidate, without a driving school. Which models fit this rule is covered in our article on which motorcycles you can ride on a car licence.
How to get a motorcycle licence, step by step
The motorcycle licence is always obtained through a driving school, except for the self-candidate cases above. The process is the same for A1, A2 and A:
- residence: you must have lived in Portugal for at least 185 days;
- enrol at a school: bring your ID document, your tax number (NIF) and the electronic medical certificate; minors also bring parental consent and a birth certificate;
- learner's permit: the school requests it from IMT, and you take your riding lessons with it;
- theory and riding lessons: at the schools we checked, the motorcycle course includes 12 riding lessons;
- theory test: the highway code exam, booked by the school;
- riding test: taken on a different day, after passing the theory test;
- licence issue: once you pass, the licence is posted to the address on your learner's permit.
If you prefer English, ask for the training and the theory test in English when you enrol. The gov.pt guide to getting a driving licence says a translated theory test is available for categories A1, A2 and A, among others.
How much does a motorcycle licence cost?
The price has two parts: state fees, which are fixed, and the course, which each school sets. IMT fees for motorcycles are:
- learner's permit: €15;
- theory test: €15;
- riding test: €30;
- licence issue: €30.
That is €90 in total. The driving school pays these fees to IMT, so ask whether they are already included in the course price. According to IMT, requests made on IMT Online get a 10% discount. The test can be taken at an IMT centre or at a private exam centre, and the exam price may vary with the centre chosen.
Driving school course prices
School prices are not set by law. In the price lists published by three driving schools, checked on 10 October 2026, the motorcycle course (A1, A2 or A) cost between €499 and €520. At one of them the tests were charged separately. A combined motorcycle and car course was over €1,200.
Prices may differ in your area. Ask for a written quote and check whether it includes tests, extra lessons and retakes if you fail.
What a bike for a first licence costs
On 10 October 2026 there were 469 motorcycles for sale on AUTO.MOTO.pt. We grouped the adverts by the engine size and power the sellers stated. It is a market reference, not a guarantee: always check the power on the registration certificate.
- motorcycles and scooters from 51 to 125 cc (A1 licence): 77 adverts, median price €3,090, half between €2,500 and €3,700;
- scooters from 51 to 125 cc only: 14 adverts, median price €2,500;
- over 125 cc and up to 47 hp stated (A2 licence): 58 adverts, median price €4,950;
- 48 to 95 hp (A2 only if restricted): 161 adverts, median price €6,750;
- over 95 hp (A licence only): 139 adverts, median price €11,500.
To start, scooters for sale are the cheapest way in. On A2, trail and enduro bikes and naked and sport touring bikes come in many 35 kW versions. You can browse all used and new motorcycles for sale and filter by price and region.
Once you have the licence, there are roads to try the bike on less than an hour from home. We put together five motorcycle day trips from Lisbon, from Sintra to Arrábida, that you can even do on a 125.
Related searches: frequently asked questions
What can you ride on an A2 licence?
Motorcycles up to 35 kW, with a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a version with more than double the power. It also covers A1 and AM vehicles.
What is the difference between the A and A2 licence?
A2 limits power to 35 kW and can be taken at 18. A has no limit and requires age 24, or 20 with two years of A2.
How much does an A2 licence cost in Portugal?
IMT fees add up to €90. At the schools we checked in October 2026, the course cost between €499 and €520, and some charge the tests separately.
At what age can I get a motorcycle licence?
A1 at 16, with parental consent, A2 at 18 and A at 24, or at 20 if you have held A2 for two years.
Who can ride 125 cc motorcycles?
Holders of an A1, A2 or A licence, and holders of a valid B licence aged 25 or over. Before 25, a B licence is only enough if you also hold a moped licence.
Can I move from A2 to A without a driving school?
Yes. After more than two years on A2, the test for A can be taken as a self-candidate, without enrolling at a school again.
