Riding a 125cc bike in Germany

Does anyone know what tests or licence one would require to ride a 125cc Vespa in Berlin?

The rules here (London) are a major pain and I was hoping I could ride a 125 with a normal EU (car) driving licence but am aware its prob not that easy.

Anyone have any idea?

Thans in advance

You have to go to a German driving school and get a class A1 license. After 2 years, that license is automatically upgraded to a class A (over 125cc). I had to do this many years ago to get a license for a 125cc Vespa as well. The rules may have changed since then, but I'm not sure.

No, a car license is not acceptable for riding a motorcycle. I think even the 25cc & 50cc scooters have a special license and still have to attend driving school.

I'll have to look-up the current license requirements, but I believe anything under 50cc doesn't require any special license
as its covered under the standard cars class.

Lots of Info can be found here

That may be true regarding under 50cc. But the OP was asking about 125cc. I remember (and this was back in 1992/93) I had to attend about 6 or so 1 hour classroom sessions, 3 1-hour road sessions, and then take a written and road test. I was in Ansbach then and the nearest English speaking driving school that I could find was in Nuremburg. It was worth it, though.

It is limited at both the 50cc and 50km/h mark. More of either requires testing.

I believe it depends on your age. If you were born before about 1962 and possess a car licence you can drive a 125cc. You have to have had a car licence for some time, I'm not sure how long. If you have a car licence and are younger you can only drive a 50cc and restricted to 45kph machine. If you have no licence you have to do lessons and take a test for both 50cc and 125cc, although the amount of lessons is greater for a 125cc.

Friend who is definitely over the age (born before 1955), recently upgraded from a Vespa to a Harley lookalike. He had to take the lessons and the tests.

Well of course he did, a Harley is somewhat larger capacity than 125cc. 125cc was the cut-off point, above that you need a motorcycle licence and always have done.
My neighbour has a 125cc scooter which he is allowed to drive on his car licence, his wife who is approx. 5 years younger, isn't.

Thanks a bundle for the info. I'm not sure how long I'll be in Berlin this summer so might be mor hassle than its worth.

The 50cc scooter is an option I guess. If I can take the high pitched buzzing enging and super high speeds of 20 mph!

I believe you have to have made your German license by April 1st 1980, it has nothing to do with being a certain age, though you'd have to be about that age to have gotten a license by then of course...but someone older could have waited to get their license and missed that date.

You are allowed to ride a scooter up to 125cc on a car licence if it was issued before april 1 1980

Geoff