Eye Test for a Motorcycle Licence (Class A): Requirements and Procedure

Riding a motorcycle asks more of your eyes than driving a car. You read the road at speed, you judge gaps in traffic, you check mirrors and blind spots, and you do it all in wind, rain and low sun, with a visor between you and the world. Before any of that starts, Germany asks every future motorcyclist to pass the same eye test as a car driver. The eye test for a motorcycle licence (class A) is a short, standard check, but it is worth understanding before you book it.

This guide explains the requirements and the procedure for the motorcycle eye test in Germany: the standard you must reach, how the test is run, what to bring, and how the test fits with the rest of the licence for classes A, A2 and A1. It also covers glasses, contact lenses and helmets, and what to do if you do not pass on the first attempt.

Eye Test Motorcycle Licence: The Requirements

The eye test for a motorcycle licence is the same test as for a car licence. Your visual acuity with both eyes together must reach at least 0.7, your visual field must be wide enough, and your colour vision must be good enough to recognise traffic lights and signals. There is no separate motorcycle chart and no stricter acuity number for class A. The certificate is the same Sehtestbescheinigung that a car learner gets, and it is valid for two years.

The test must be done by a recognised tester: an optician, an ophthalmologist, an occupational physician or a testing organisation. Your driving school cannot test your eyes itself, although some schools arrange for an optician to visit. The test usually takes ten to fifteen minutes, and at an optician it usually costs 6.43 euros, with some chains offering it free of charge. You can take the test before you start your training or during it, but you need the certificate before you can apply for the licence.

The reason the standard is the same for motorcycles and cars is that the basic need is the same: to see the road clearly. Motorcycling adds extra demands, such as judging speed and distance at a glance and scanning a wide field, but the licence rules do not add extra numbers for those demands. If you meet the standard, you are considered fit to start learning. If you do not, the answer is usually glasses, and the test is repeated with them.

How the Motorcycle Eye Test Works

The test follows the same steps as the car test. You sit or stand at a fixed distance from a chart and read rows of letters or Landolt rings, first with both eyes and then with each eye separately. The tester notes the smallest row you can read reliably, and checks your visual field and your colour vision with a short screening. You get the result immediately and the certificate is usually issued on the spot.

Bring your identity card or passport and the glasses or contact lenses you normally wear. The test is taken with the correction you will use when you ride, so do not leave your glasses at home. If you are a contact lens wearer, wear the lenses you normally ride with, and bring your glasses as backup. If you use glasses, think about how they fit under your helmet, because a pair that slides down your nose at speed is not just uncomfortable, it is a distraction.

Your driving school will collect the certificate and add it to your licence application, along with the first aid certificate, the passport photo and your identity document. The procedure is the same as for a car licence, and our procedure guide explains each step. You can read the full sequence in our guide to the driving licence eye test procedure, which covers what happens if you do not pass the first time.

The 0.7 Standard and Your Visual Field

A binocular acuity of 0.7 is the minimum for a motorcycle licence, and it is the same minimum that applies to car drivers. In practice, most motorcyclists exceed it easily with glasses, and many do so without any correction. The visual field is equally important for a rider, because you need to notice vehicles approaching from the side and to read mirrors without turning your head too far. The test includes a field screening, and any clear problem is referred to an ophthalmologist for a full test.

Depth perception matters more on a motorcycle than in a car, because you judge overtaking gaps, roundabouts and braking distances directly, without a car body around you. The standard eye test does not measure depth perception as a separate number, but a large difference between your two eyes can affect it, and the tester will note such a difference. If you have a clear difference between your eyes, mention it to the tester and ask whether a fuller check would be useful before you start riding.

Night vision is another concern for riders, because a motorcycle headlight lights up less road than a car headlight, and oncoming lights can dazzle you. The standard test does not check night vision or glare sensitivity, so if you know that you struggle to see in the dark or that oncoming headlights blind you for several seconds, tell your eye doctor. A tinted visor or a different lens coating can help with glare during the day, but at night you should always use a clear visor.

Glasses, Contact Lenses and Helmets

Many motorcyclists prefer contact lenses, because they sit on the eye and give a wide, clear field of vision without frames or fogging. Lenses also stay dry under a helmet, and they do not slide when you sweat or when the wind gets in. If you wear daily lenses, put in a fresh pair before the test, and bring a spare pair in your jacket. If you wear monthly lenses, use a fresh pair on test day if the current pair is near the end of its cycle.

Glasses are perfectly fine too, as long as they fit well under your helmet. Choose a frame with straight, thin arms that slide under the helmet padding, and check that the helmet does not press the frame into your head. Photochromic lenses that darken in sunlight are useful on a motorcycle, but they must not darken so much that they act as sunglasses at night. Anti-fog coatings and pinlock inserts on the visor help to keep your view clear in rain and cold, which matters more than it does in a car.

If you pass the test with glasses, the code 01.01 is noted on your licence, and with contact lenses the code is 01.02. That means you must wear the correction whenever you ride. Make it part of your riding routine: helmet, gloves, glasses or lenses, then keys. Our comparison of contact lenses versus glasses in the eye test can help you decide which option suits your riding best.

Classes A1, A2 and A: What Changes

Germany has three motorcycle classes, and the eye test requirement is the same for all of them. Class A1 is the smallest, for motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW, available from the age of sixteen. Class A2 is the middle step, for motorcycles up to 35 kW, available from eighteen. Class A is the full, unrestricted licence, available from twenty-four, or from twenty if you have held A2 for at least two years. One eye test certificate covers the application, and you do not need a new eye test when you upgrade from A1 to A2 or from A2 to A, as long as the certificate is still valid.

The eye test is also the same if you add class A to an existing car licence. You do not take a second eye test for the motorcycle class if your car certificate is still within its two-year validity. When the certificate has expired, you need a new one. If you wear glasses, the notation on the licence carries over, and the codes 01.01 or 01.02 apply to every class on your licence, not just to the one you tested for.

Older riders sometimes worry that age will make the test harder. It can be harder if you have developed cataracts or another condition, but the test itself is the same, and the passing standard does not change with age. If your vision has changed since you last had an eye test, bring your latest prescription and tell the tester, so that the test is done with the right correction.

What If You Do Not Pass on the First Attempt?

Not passing the eye test for a motorcycle licence is not the end of the road, and it is not unusual. The most common reason is a prescription that is out of date, so the first step is to get your eyes checked properly and get new glasses or contact lenses. Once you have the right correction, you can repeat the test, usually at the same optician, and pass with the new glasses or lenses.

Some riders find that one eye is much weaker than the other, and the two eyes together do not reach 0.7. In that case, an ophthalmologist can carry out a more detailed examination, including a test of your visual field, to see whether you can be passed with a special provision. The ophthalmologist report goes to the licensing authority, which decides whether a licence can be issued, sometimes with a restriction or with a repeat medical check after a few years.

Do not be tempted to practise the chart until you can recite it. The chart is designed to measure what you can see, and memorising the order of letters does not help the tester measure your vision. It can also waste your money, because if the tester suspects that you are reciting from memory, they may switch to a different chart. The fairest approach is to arrive with the correct glasses, rested and in good light.

Vision Habits That Keep You Safe on a Motorcycle

Passing the eye test is the start, not the end. On a motorcycle, your eyes are your main safety tool. Look through corners, not at the road in front of your front wheel. Scan the road ahead in a wide arc, and keep your eyes moving instead of fixing on one point. A fixed stare is a common habit, and it slows your reaction, because you only notice a danger when it has already moved into the centre of your vision.

Use your mirrors often, and check your blind spots by turning your head, not just your eyes. A quick shoulder check before you change lanes is one of the best habits a rider can learn, and it is taught in the practical training for a reason. Mirrors show only part of the picture, and a car can sit in the blind spot where neither the mirror nor your peripheral vision catches it. Get into the habit of a shoulder check every time you move sideways on the road.

Protect your eyes from wind and rain. A clear visor is essential in rain, and a tinted visor is useful in bright sun but dangerous at night. If your visor fogs up, a pinlock insert or an anti-fog spray will help, and a clean, scratch-free visor is just as important as clean glasses. A scratched visor scatters the light of oncoming headlights and makes it harder to see, especially at night, when your vision is already working at its limits.

At night, slow down and keep a bigger gap to the vehicle in front of you. Your headlight lights up less road than a car headlight, and oncoming lights can dazzle you for a few seconds. If you are blinded, look at the right edge of the road, not at the light, and ease off the throttle until your vision recovers. A rider who can see clearly is a rider who can react in time, and the habits above are worth learning before your first long ride.

Conclusion

The eye test for a motorcycle licence in Germany is the same test as for a car licence: a minimum acuity of 0.7, a check of the visual field and a colour vision screening, carried out by an optician or an ophthalmologist and recorded on a certificate that lasts two years. The classes A1, A2 and A share the same standard, and the certificate can be reused when you upgrade. Bring the right glasses or lenses, make sure they fit under your helmet, and arrive rested. If the first attempt does not go well, a new prescription is often all that is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the eye test for a motorcycle licence the same as for a car?

Yes. The test, the standard of 0.7 visual acuity, and the certificate are the same for class A motorcycles and class B cars. You do not need a second eye test if your car certificate is still valid.

Do I need a different eye test for class A1 or A2?

No. Classes A1, A2 and A share the same eye test and the same passing standard. One certificate covers your application, and you do not need a new eye test when you upgrade between motorcycle classes.

How much does the motorcycle eye test cost?

At an optician it usually costs 6.43 euros, and some chains offer it free of charge. The fee is the same as for the car eye test, and the test takes about ten to fifteen minutes.

Can I take the eye test with contact lenses?

Yes, and many motorcyclists prefer lenses because they give a wide field of vision and do not fog or slide under a helmet. The code 01.02 will be noted on your licence, which means you must wear lenses whenever you ride.

What if I fail the eye test for a motorcycle licence?

First, check your prescription and get new glasses or contact lenses, then repeat the test. If one eye is much weaker than the other, an ophthalmologist can carry out a fuller examination and report to the licensing authority.

Do my glasses need to fit under my helmet?

Yes, ideally. Choose frames with thin, straight arms that slide under the helmet padding, and try the helmet and glasses together before your test ride. A pair that presses or slides is a distraction at speed.