We have had our B license for three years, we drive a car without any issues, and we are considering switching to a scooter or a 125cc motorcycle for our daily commutes. Before signing with a dealer, it’s better to check what the regulations really expect in 2026, because the changes are not where we expect them.
Technical inspection for 125cc motorcycles: the real novelty of 2026
Most discussions around the 125cc in 2026 revolve around the license. On the ground, the most concrete change concerns the technical inspection of motorized two-wheelers. After years of delays and a repeal decree published and then questioned, motorcycles and scooters are gradually being integrated into the system.
Registered 125cc vehicles, whether thermal or electric, are among the vehicles affected. Inspection centers are adapting their equipment to accommodate these categories, with verification points focusing on braking, lighting, emissions, and the general condition of the vehicle.
For 125cc owners, this means an additional constraint: planning a visit to an approved center according to a schedule that depends on the date of first registration. A complete detail can be found on the 2026 legislation for 125cc on Emploi Plus, particularly regarding the relationship between licenses and technical obligations.
One point to note: feedback varies on the implementation timelines depending on the departments, with some centers not yet equipped to receive two-wheelers. Before making an appointment, check that the chosen center has motorcycle approval.
B License and 7-hour training: nothing changes fundamentally in 2026
This is probably the point that generates the most confusion. The access framework to the 125cc remains the same: A1 license from 16 years old, or B license held for at least two years supplemented by a 7-hour training. No official source calls this system into question for 2026.
The 7-hour training, provided by an accredited driving school, includes a theoretical part and a practical part on a closed course and then in traffic. It does not lead to an exam but to a certificate that must be kept with the license.
What has changed recently concerns the format of the tests for the A2 license. The duration of the road test has been reduced from 40 to 32 minutes since November 2025. This measure applies to candidates for the full motorcycle license, not to those undergoing the 7-hour training to access the 125cc with a B license.
Who is exempt from the 7-hour training
Drivers born before 1988 benefit from a historical exemption. They can ride a 125cc without additional training, provided they hold a B license. This exception remains in effect, but it concerns an increasingly smaller population among first-time applicants.
Plateau test and code 79.05: what concerns future A1 and A2 licenses
For those taking the motorcycle license (A1 or A2), a notable evolution concerns the plateau test. The code 79.05 now allows taking the plateau test without a passenger, which modifies the mechanics of the practical exam. Specifically, the slow-speed and normal-speed maneuverability exercises are done without having to manage the weight of a passenger on the back.
This change simplifies logistics for driving schools and reduces a source of stress for candidates. It does not change the level of requirement regarding the skills assessed.
- The road test duration is reduced from 40 to 32 minutes for A1 and A2 licenses, with the same grading criteria as before
- Funding through the CPF is subject to stricter restrictions, which may complicate financial arrangements for some candidates
- The motorcycle technical inspection is added to the post-license obligations for any owner of a registered 125cc
125cc electric scooters and registration: same rules, same obligations
The rise of equivalent 125cc electric scooters does not create a derogatory regime. An electric scooter classified L3e follows the same rules as a thermal one: A1 license or B license with 7-hour training, mandatory registration, and eventually technical inspection.
The vehicle category depends on its power and maximum speed, not its mode of propulsion. An equivalent 125cc electric limited to 11 kW falls under the A1 license. Beyond that, it switches to the A2 license.
On the market, sales of motorcycles and scooters experienced a favorable period at the beginning of 2026. This dynamic leads more drivers to question the access conditions, especially when transitioning from a 50cc (AM license, accessible from 14 years old) to a 125cc that requires a whole different level of training.
50cc and speedometer: the neighboring cylinder more affected than the 125cc
One aspect of the 2026 regulations specifically targets 50cc mopeds with the introduction of the speedometer in the technical inspection. This device measures the maximum speed of the vehicle to detect derestrictions, a common practice among young drivers.
125cc are not affected by this specific provision, as their power is already regulated by the limit of 11 kW for the A1 license. The distinction is clear: the enhanced checks on 50cc aim at a safety issue specific to this category, not to 125cc.
To summarize the situation in 2026: driving a 125cc still relies on the same regulatory framework (A1 license or B license + 7-hour training). The real novelties concern the technical inspection, the format of the tests for A1/A2 licenses, and the CPF funding restrictions. No revolution, but practical adjustments that deserve to be anticipated before hitting the road.