Renting a scooter in Germany: can you ride a moped or a 125 cc on a car licence?
According to Germany's Driving Licence Regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, published by the Federal Ministry of Justice), checked on 31 October 2026, a class B car licence covers mopeds (class AM), but a 125 cc motorcycle only with the code 196, which is added to a class B licence after a training course, at least five years after getting the licence, and is valid only in Germany; the regulation does not mention licences from other countries.
Official sources: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), § 6: Einteilung der Fahrerlaubnisklassen · Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), § 6b: Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B mit der Schlüsselzahl 196.
Licence rules for scooters differ from country to country and can change, and rental companies may ask for more than the law. We quote the official texts word for word, with the date we read them; this is information, not legal advice. Check with the rental company and the official page before you ride.
Moped, 125 cc or bigger: what a car licence covers
| Vehicle | With a car licence |
|---|---|
| Moped (up to 50 cc) | Yes Yes: a car licence covers class AM (mopeds) |
| Scooter or light motorcycle up to 125 cc | Only with conditions Only with the code 196 on the licence (training, valid only in Germany) |
| Bigger than 125 cc | No No: the code 196 stops at the A1 limit |
Moped (up to 50 cc): Yes
(3) Außerdem berechtigt 1. die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse A zum Führen von Fahrzeugen der Klassen AM, A1 und A2, 2. die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse A2 zum Führen von Fahrzeugen der Klassen A1 und AM, 3. die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse A1 zum Führen von Fahrzeugen der Klasse AM 4. die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B zum Führen von Fahrzeugen der Klassen AM und L,
Our translation: (3) In addition: 1. a class A licence entitles you to drive vehicles of classes AM, A1 and A2; 2. a class A2 licence, vehicles of classes A1 and AM; 3. a class A1 licence, vehicles of class AM; 4. a class B licence, vehicles of classes AM and L,
Source: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), § 6: Einteilung der Fahrerlaubnisklassen (German Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Scooter or light motorcycle up to 125 cc: Only with conditions
(1) Die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B kann mit der Schlüsselzahl 196 erteilt werden für Krafträder(auch mit Beiwagen) mit einem Hubraum von bis zu 125 cm3, einer Motorleistung von nicht mehr als 11 kW, bei denen das Verhältnis der Leistung zum Gewicht 0,1 kW/kg nicht übersteigt. Die Schlüsselzahl 196 darf nur zugeteilt werden, wenn der Teilnehmer bereits seit mindestens fünf Jahren die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B besitzt.
Our translation: (1) The class B licence can be issued with the code 196 for motorcycles (also with sidecar) with an engine of up to 125 cm3, a power of no more than 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg. The code 196 may only be given if the person has held the class B licence for at least five years.
Die Berechtigung nach Satz 1 gilt nur im Inland.
Our translation: The entitlement under sentence 1 is valid only in Germany.
(3) Für die Eintragung der Schlüsselzahl 196 in die Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B bedarf es einer Fahrerschulung.
Our translation: (3) A training course is needed for the code 196 to be entered in the class B licence.
Source: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), § 6b: Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B mit der Schlüsselzahl 196 (German Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Bigger than 125 cc: No
Same official text as above.
Does it depend on where your licence is from?
| Your licence | What the official text says |
|---|---|
| UK licence | Not stated The official text we read does not mention licences issued in other countries. |
| Licence from another EU country | Not stated The official text we read does not mention licences issued in other countries. |
| Licence from outside Europe (US, Canada, Australia...) | Not stated The official text we read does not mention licences issued in other countries. |
Also in the official text
Minimum age for the code 196
(2) Das Mindestalter für die Erteilung der Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B mit der Schlüsselzahl 196 beträgt 25 Jahre.
Our translation: (2) The minimum age for a class B licence with the code 196 is 25.
Source: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), § 6b: Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B mit der Schlüsselzahl 196 (German Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Travel insurance and scooters
Riding without the licence category the law asks for can also leave you without insurance cover. The UK government puts it this way in its travel advice for Thailand:
Many travel insurance policies expect you to hold the correct UK licence for the type of car, motorbike or scooter you intend to drive abroad. This means that if you wouldn’t be legally permitted to drive it in the UK, your insurer may not cover you for driving it in Thailand.
Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK), page updated on 12 October 2026), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Read your policy before you ride.
Driving in Germany, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence · Australian licence
Questions
Can you drive a 125cc with a car licence in Germany?
Only with the code 196 on your licence. The regulation says: “(1) The class B licence can be issued with the code 196 for motorcycles (also with sidecar) with an engine of up to 125 cm3, a power of no more than 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg. The code 196 may only be given if the person has held the class B licence for at least five years.” (our translation) “The entitlement under sentence 1 is valid only in Germany.” (our translation) The code is entered in a class B licence after a training course, so check with the rental company and the official text before you rent.
What is B196 in Germany?
It is the code 196 added to a class B car licence, for motorcycles up to 125 cm3 in Germany: “(1) The class B licence can be issued with the code 196 for motorcycles (also with sidecar) with an engine of up to 125 cm3, a power of no more than 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg. The code 196 may only be given if the person has held the class B licence for at least five years.” (our translation) “(2) The minimum age for a class B licence with the code 196 is 25.” (our translation) “(3) A training course is needed for the code 196 to be entered in the class B licence.” (our translation)
Do you need a licence for a scooter in Germany?
Yes. A car licence covers mopeds (class AM): “(3) In addition: 1. a class A licence entitles you to drive vehicles of classes AM, A1 and A2; 2. a class A2 licence, vehicles of classes A1 and AM; 3. a class A1 licence, vehicles of class AM; 4. a class B licence, vehicles of classes AM and L,” (our translation) Electric kick scooters have their own rules, not covered here.
Where does this answer come from?
From Germany's Driving Licence Regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, published by the Federal Ministry of Justice), read on 31 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page (with our translation when the text is not in English). Rental companies can ask for more than the law: check with the rental company and the official page before you ride.
Other countries
Spotted a change? Tell us. Scooter rental: every country we checked.