The A2 with a B licence: which exam you sit (and which you skip) 🏍️
Quick answer: Holding licence B exempts you from the common theory exam: for the A2 you only pass the specific motorcycle test — 20 questions with a maximum of 2 mistakes — followed by the two practical tests: closed-circuit manoeuvres and open-road circulation. Requirements: age 18, the medical certificate and the €94.05 fee. Note: the B validates no practical part — the bike is proven on the bike.
It's one of the most repeated questions in Spanish driving schools: «I hold the B — what do I need for a motorbike?». The official answer is friendlier than many expect — the common theory isn't repeated — but the small print bites: a demanding specific test and two practical exams where the B gives you nothing for free. Here's the full map, study plan included.
What you sit and what you skip (table) ⚖️
| Test | Do you sit it? |
|---|---|
| Common theory (30 questions) | ❌ Exempt — you passed it with the B |
| Specific motorcycle theory | ✅ 20 questions, maximum 2 mistakes (90 %) |
| Manoeuvres test (closed circuit) | ✅ Slalom, swerve, braking, slow control |
| Circulation test | ✅ On open roads, examiner on the radio |
| Medical + fee | ✅ Psicotécnico certificate + €94.05 (2 sittings) |
The specific test goes straight to motorcycle substance: gear and helmet, bike dynamics (countersteering, combined braking), tyres and maintenance, riding with a passenger, weather. Twenty "technical" questions — more concrete than the common theory, but with a much shorter syllabus.
A realistic study plan: 1–2 weeks 📅
With a recent B, the specific syllabus takes 7–14 days at 20 minutes a day: motorcycle theory by topic first, then specific A2 tests on loop until you chain mocks with 0–1 mistakes. The margin is thin — 2 mistakes out of 20 is the same 90 % bar as the general exam — so don't turn up «scraping by».
On TraficoTest you get the official motorcycle question bank with explanations and your live pass probability; the full A1/A2 exam guide is at DGT motorcycle tests.
The exam-free alternative: the «125 rule» at 3 years 🛵
Remember the 125 rule: with 3 years of B seniority you may ride motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW (A1 equivalent) with no extra exam — within Spain only. The full A2 pays off if you want more displacement (up to 35 kW), to ride abroad, or to progress to the unrestricted A after 2 years.
Typical car-driver mistakes on two wheels ⚠️
- Underrating the specific test: «if I passed the common theory, this is a formality» — yet it's 20 technical questions where 3 mistakes fail you.
- Treating the circuit like a car park: the slow slalom and the swerve have measured times and lines; they're trained, not improvised.
- Braking like in a car: combined front/rear braking is habit number one to build — and a guaranteed test question.
- Summer clothing: the exam requires a homologated helmet, gloves and proper gear; without them you may not be examined.
Conclusion 🏁
The A2-with-B is the system's honest shortcut: it spares you the common theory and leaves one short test plus two real-bike exams. Prepare the 20 questions with the specific motorcycle bank on TraficoTest, book circuit practice early — and within a month you're riding 35 kW legally.
What searchers ask (answered head-on) 🔍
The exact phrasings people type into Google and AI assistants — answered head-on:
«what's the difference between kilowatts (kW) and horsepower (CV) and how do they convert?»
Two units of the same magnitude — power: kW is the official unit (the one on the technical card), CV the traditional one. Conversion: 1 kW = 1.36 CV (1 CV = 0.735 kW). The A2 cap — 35 kW — equals 47.6 CV, with the added conditions of ≤0.2 kW/kg and not deriving from a bike of more than double that power.
«A2 test when you already hold the B»
With the B you don't repeat the common theory: only the 20-question motorcycle-specific test (2 mistakes max) plus the two practical exams — closed circuit and traffic. The specific bank asks bike technique: combined braking, countersteering, gear, power figures.
«which bikes can I ride on an A2?»
Motorcycles up to 35 kW (47.6 CV) with power-to-weight ≤0.2 kW/kg, not derived from a model above 70 kW. After 2 years of A2, stepping up to the A is a 9-hour course, no exam.
Frequently asked questions ❓
How many questions is the A2 test if I already hold the B?
20 questions from the specific motorcycle syllabus, with a maximum of 2 mistakes to pass.
Does the B licence exempt me from the A2 theory?
From the common theory yes; the specific motorcycle test and both practical tests remain compulsory.
What does the specific motorcycle test cover?
Gear, bike dynamics and braking, tyres and maintenance, passengers and load, and riding in adverse conditions.
Can I ride a 125 with just a B licence?
Yes, within Spain, once the B is at least 3 years old: up to 125 cc and 11 kW with no extra exam.
How much does the A2 cost with a B licence?
The €94.05 DGT fee plus the medical (€30-80) and practical lessons; skipping the common theory saves time more than money.