For the A1 licence, you must be at least 16 years old.

With an A1 licence, you're allowed to ride motorcycles that meet the following criteria:

- A maximum engine power of 11 kW (15 hp)
- A power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg
- For combustion engines, generally up to 125 cm³ displacement

Electric motorcycles may also be ridden, provided they do not exceed the same power limit of 11 kW, even if their drive system could give them a higher horsepower rating.

If you already have a B licence, you can generally save some basic driving lessons when training for the A1 licence, since you already have experience dealing with traffic and traffic rules. This can lead to cost savings.

There is no direct top-speed restriction from the A1 licence category itself; the limit comes from the motorcycle's power output. Typically, motorcycles meeting these criteria can reach speeds of around 90 to 110 km/h, depending on the model and the engine's design.

Obtaining a regular A1 licence without an exam is not possible in Germany. The certificate B196 does, however, offer an alternative for car drivers who want to extend their licence to ride light motorcycles up to 125cc.

To obtain the B196 certificate, you must be at least 25 years old and have held a class B licence for at least five years. You receive the certificate after theoretical training plus at least 9 units of 90 minutes of practical driving experience, without any additional exam. After completing this training, you're allowed to ride light motorcycles with a rated power of up to 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of at most 0.1 kW/kg domestically – no practical exam is required. However, the certificate is not valid abroad, and obtaining the B196 certificate does not result in an A1 licence category being added to your driving licence.

It's essentially the A1 licence for car drivers.

Yes, you're allowed to ride abroad with an A1 licence. The A1 licence is a European driving licence category that is recognised throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as in many other countries. It entitles you to ride light motorcycles with a displacement of up to 125 cm³ and an engine power of at most 11 kW (15 hp).

However, before setting off, you should check whether the country in question has specific rules, such as a minimum age limit higher than in Germany. It's also important to find out about any insurance requirements, as these can also vary from country to country.

If you're already 25 years old, it might make more sense to go straight for the class A licence instead of getting the A1 licence. The class A licence entitles you to ride motorcycles without a power restriction. That means you're not limited to the 125cc and 11 kW (15 hp) power that the A1 licence dictates.

Getting the A licence directly offers the following advantages:

• Future-proof: You don't need to go through further licence categories to be allowed to ride more powerful motorcycles.
• Cost Savings: In the long run you save money, since you don't have to pay for multiple licence categories.
• No Further Exams: You avoid additional theory and practical exams that would arise when upgrading from A1 to A2 and later to A.
• Free Choice of Motorcycle: You have the freedom to ride any motorcycle regardless of power, which can be especially advantageous for long tours or when using it as your main means of transport.

In Berlin, where traffic is dense and parking is scarce, a motorcycle can significantly improve your mobility. With the A licence, you're flexible and can choose exactly the motorcycle that fits your lifestyle and your needs.

The A1 licence is available from age 16 and allows you to ride 125cc motorcycles after completing full training and an exam. The B196 extension is an additional qualification for car drivers aged 25 and up with 5 years of driving experience, allowing them to ride 125cc motorcycles without an exam, but only within Germany.

The basic manoeuvres in the A1 exam are used to assess your fundamental skills in handling the motorcycle. These include various manoeuvres meant to show that you can safely control the motorcycle. The basic manoeuvres generally include:

1. Controlling the Motorcycle at Slow Speed: This involves riding at walking pace, which mainly requires balance and fine control of the motorcycle.
2. Slalom Riding at Higher Speed: Here your skill in controlling the vehicle at higher speeds is tested.
3. Braking Exercises: This includes braking from a certain speed both in a straight line and while leaning, to test your ability to bring the motorcycle to a safe and quick stop.
4. Swerving Without Braking: Here you must show that you can avoid an obstacle without braking beforehand.
5. Swerving After Braking: In this manoeuvre, you should first brake and then avoid an obstacle.
6. Moving the Bike While Stationary: The motorcycle is pushed from one parking space to another and turned around in the process, to demonstrate handling of the motorcycle even without engine power.
7. Stop-and-Go: This is about stopping the motorcycle and setting off again, which tests control over the clutch and throttle.

These tasks are tested during the practical exam and must be completed to the examiner's satisfaction, in order to demonstrate the necessary skills for safely handling the motorcycle in road traffic.