The A2 license is the gateway to mid-displacement motorcycles, up to 47.5 hp. It is open from the age of 18 and is a step before the A license. Many motorcycle school students wonder whether they can rent a motorcycle to practice before the test. The answer is yes, but not on an A2 machine: as long as the license has not been obtained, a 125 is what you can rent, and only if you meet the conditions that go with it.
Practicing on a 125 before the test
Before the test, you can rent a light 125 cm³ motorcycle to work on your balance, your lines and your reflexes. Two situations open up that option: holding the A1 license, or holding a car license (category B) obtained at least two years ago and having completed the 7-hour training course.
The 125 models available in the catalog are the Yamaha XSR 125, the Honda Dax, and the two electric Can-Am models, the Pulse 125 and the Origin 125. To work on the clutch and on changing gears the way you will at the test, the Yamaha XSR 125 is the only one with a conventional manual gearbox: the Honda Dax shifts gears without a clutch lever and the two Can-Am models are electric, with no gearbox. These machines let you build up riding hours outside your lessons, and it shows on the day of the off-road (plateau) test.
Motorcycle school and rental: two different uses
The two are not in competition, they simply do not serve the same purpose.
| Criterion | Motorcycle school | Good Motors rental |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Training supervised by an instructor | Free practice, on your own |
| Models | One or two set motorcycles | A wide choice of recent models |
| Availability | Hours set by the motorcycle school | Self-service pick-up, 7 days a week from 8 am to 10 pm |
| Goal | Prepare for and pass the test | Practice before the test on a 125, progress on an A2 machine afterwards |
How much a rental to practice costs
The rates below are the catalog rates, per 24-hour period.
- 125 cm³: from 41 € per 24 h for the Honda Dax and the Can-Am 125s, 45 € for the Yamaha XSR 125.
- A2 motorcycles, once the license is obtained: from 45 € per 24 h for the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, the Honda GB350S and the Can-Am Origin and Pulse, up to 68 € for the Honda NX500.
Insurance is included in the price shown and rates decrease as the rental gets longer. The security deposit takes the form of a pre-authorization hold on your card, which is not charged, and its amount depends on the model: the details are in the FAQ. Approved helmets and gloves are available on site for 5 € per day.
After the test: moving up to an A2 machine
Once you have your A2 license in hand, the catalog opens up to ten approved models, among them the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, the Honda NX500, the Royal Enfield Bear 650, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. No minimum license seniority is required and the pass certificate is accepted while you wait for the final license: you do not have to wait for the definitive card to ride. The full journey, from the documents to provide to your first weekend, is set out in our article on renting an A2 motorcycle with a recent license.
Renting a motorcycle to progress in three steps
- Book online: your departure city, your dates and your model, from the catalog.
- Send in your documents: the A1 license, or a car license (category B) obtained at least two years ago together with the 7-hour training course for a 125; the A2 license or the pass certificate for an A2 machine.
- Pick up the motorcycle on your own in a car park near a train station or an airport, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 10 pm, by opening the key box with the code you received by email.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent an A2 motorcycle without holding the A2 license?
No. To ride an A2 motorcycle, you have to hold the A2 license or its pass certificate. Without that document, no A2 rental is possible.
Can I take the A2 test on a rented motorcycle?
No. The test is always taken with an approved motorcycle school. Rental is there to let you practice outside your lesson hours and to progress once you have the license.
Is a minimum license seniority required to rent?
No. You simply have to hold the license matching the category of the motorcycle, A1, A2 or A, and to have turned 18 at the time of booking.
