What are the laws about driving scooters in Germany.

Question

im 17, almost 18 and have moved to germany because my dad is stationed here. i was wondering what are the laws about scooters, are 50cc and under legal for anyone, do i need a motor cycle lisence for a high CC engine. please give any advice you can.

Answer 1

You've got your work cut out for you.

Do you already have a motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsement on a US license?  If so it may be possible to drive a bike or scooter in Germany.  If not you'll discover that while it's technically possible as a practical matter you probably won't bother.

US military personnel stationed in Germany and their command sponsored dependents are licensed through the US Army in Heidelberg.  To get a USAREUR license you must first have a valid US license or one issued by either a NATO nation or EU member nation.  You must take a written test (90% to pass) and a sign-recognition test (98% to pass).  If you have a motorcycle license or endorsement you must take an additional written test (90% to pass) as well.  However that won't get you riding just yet.

In order to operate any two-wheeled vehicle on any DoD installation anywhere in the world you must also pass an approved motorcycle safety course.  The most common one is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course.  They used to offer them a few times a year at various installations in Germany.  The folks who handle the USAREUR licensing can probably hook you up.  Waiting lists are long, when I was stationed there in the late 80s it took a year to get a class date.

If you don't have a motorcycle license already, you'll have to get a German one.  Germany (and most of Europe) has very tight motorcycle licensing and training laws.  It's a graduated system, starting out small and gradually building.  You can't get a large bike license (500cc or larger) until you are at least age 21 and have a full year of riding experience.  The downside to getting a German license is that all of the training and testing is done in German.  For this reason most folks opt to either return to the US and get a state M/C license or endorsement or just forget it entirely.