Who has to take the AM licence?
You want to drive a license-free car, a Citroën Ami, an Aixam, a Ligier or any other light quadricycle. The question that comes up immediately: do you really need a licence?
The answer depends on your date of birth. If you were born after 1 January 1988, the AM licence is mandatory. Without it, driving a license-free car is illegal, punishable by a fine and immobilisation of the vehicle. If you were born before that date, no licence is required.
This rule applies whether you are 16 or 55, whether your license-free car is new or used, combustion or electric.
AM licence and BSR: the same thing
Many drivers confuse, or still look for, the “BSR” (Road Safety Certificate). This qualification no longer exists under that name since 2013. The BSR was replaced by the AM licence, which fits into the European driving licence nomenclature.
In practice, if you obtained a BSR before 2013, it is still valid: it is equivalent to the AM licence. If you have to take the training today, the AM licence is what you obtain, but the content of the training is very close to the old BSR.
Who is affected: the 1988 rule
The cut-off date is 1 January 1988:
- Born after 01/01/1988: the AM licence is mandatory to drive an L6e light quadricycle. This concerns all teenagers from age 14, and anyone born in the 1990s, 2000s or after.
- Born before 01/01/1988: no licence is required. You can drive a license-free car without having taken any specific training. This exception comes from the fact that drivers of this generation could legally drive mopeds without a licence before the 2013 reforms.
This distinction is often a source of confusion. A 50-year-old driver born in 1975 has nothing to do. His 22-year-old son born in 2003 must have the AM licence.
The AM licence training: what it includes
The AM licence is not an exam to prepare for like the category B licence. It is a supervised training course delivered by an approved driving school, with no final test graded by an external examiner.
The prerequisite: the ASSR2
Before starting the training at the driving school, the student must provide proof of the ASSR2 (Level 2 School Road Safety Certificate), normally taken in the third year of secondary school. For people out of education or who were educated abroad, an ASR (Road Safety Certificate) obtained at the town hall or a driving school can replace the ASSR2.
The content of the training
The AM licence training includes a minimum of 7 hours of practical training spread over at least two days:
- Off-road: getting to grips with the vehicle, starting, basic manoeuvres, braking management
- On the road: driving in real conditions, merging into traffic, crossing intersections, night driving if possible
- Risk awareness: a module on risky behaviour, the consequences of accidents, state of awareness behind the wheel
There is no accompanied driving in the sense of the category B licence: the training is intensive and short. At the end of the required hours, it is the instructor who validates the candidate’s ability to drive safely. If the level is not reached, additional hours can be imposed.
No theory exam. No Highway Code test, no multiple choice, no test with an outside examiner. Validation rests entirely on the assessment of the driving instructor.
Price of the AM licence in 2026
The rates are unregulated: each driving school sets its own prices. The range observed in 2026 is between 300 € and 500 € for a complete course including the administrative file, the regulatory training hours and the issuing of the certificate.
Several factors make this price vary:
- The region: urban driving schools (Paris, Lyon, Marseille) generally charge more than rural ones
- The type of vehicle used for the training: some driving schools offer the training on an electric model (Ami, Topolino), others on combustion models
- Additional hours: if the instructor considers that the candidate needs more than the regulatory minimum, each additional hour is charged separately (generally between 40 € and 60 € an hour)
Practical tip: always ask for the breakdown of the package before committing. Does the advertised price include the CERFA file, the registration fees, and exactly how many hours?
Some regions offer financial aid for the AM licence, notably for young people aged 14-18. Check with your regional council or the CAF (family allowance fund).
Duration and process
The training spans 2 to 3 days minimum, because of the obligation to spread the hours over at least two separate days. In practice, many driving schools offer condensed sessions over a weekend.
The typical process:
- Day 1 (morning): administrative file, ASSR2 check, theory module on risk awareness, off-road handling
- Day 1 (afternoon) or Day 2: driving in traffic, progressively more complex routes
- Validation: the instructor’s review, issuing of the training completion certificate if the level is reached
The certificate is then sent to the prefecture to obtain the AM driving qualification.
Validity of the AM licence
The AM licence is valid for life. It does not expire, does not need renewing and requires no periodic medical examination. Once obtained, it remains valid as long as you are not subject to a suspension or a judicial withdrawal.
The AM licence is also recognised across all European Union countries: if you travel in a license-free car in Spain, Italy or Belgium, your French AM licence is valid.
AM licence and license-free car insurance
The AM licence on its own is not enough: your license-free car must be insured. license-free car insurance is mandatory, at least third-party liability.
Whether or not you hold the AM licence does not directly affect the amount of your insurance premium: insurers calculate their rates on other criteria (driver’s age, vehicle model, geographic area, claims history). Driving a license-free car without the AM licence while having been born after 1988, on the other hand, constitutes an offence that can invalidate your cover in the event of an accident.
For young drivers, license-free car insurance premiums vary between 20 € and 70 € per month. For older drivers who use a license-free car after a category B licence suspension or for medical reasons, the rates are generally lower. Our complete guide to the license-free car details the recommended insurance options according to your profile.
AM licence and access to driving at 14
The AM licence opens up driving license-free cars from the age of 14. It is the legal route for a teenager to have their own powered vehicle before being old enough to take the category B licence.
For parents considering this option, our guide license-free car at 14 details the conditions, the recommended models, the insurance questions and the precautions to take with a young, inexperienced driver.
FAQ
Can you drive a license-free car if you were born before 1988?
Yes, with no prior procedure. People born before 1 January 1988 are exempt from the AM licence to drive an L6e light quadricycle (license-free car). This exception is permanent and will not be called into question.
How much does the AM licence cost in 2026?
Between 300 € and 500 € at most French driving schools. The rates are unregulated and vary depending on the region, the driving school and any additional hours. Always compare several quotes before signing up, and check what is included in the package.
Is the AM licence valid for all license-free cars?
Yes, the AM licence is valid for all L6e light quadricycles, whatever the brand or model: Citroën Ami, Fiat Topolino, Aixam, Ligier, Microcar, Chatenet, etc. It is also valid for mopeds (two-wheelers under 50 cm³). However, it does not allow you to drive L7e heavy quadricycles, a higher category with greater power.
Can you take the AM licence at 14?
Yes, that is precisely the minimum age. A teenager can start the AM licence training from the age of 14, provided they can prove they hold the ASSR2 (or equivalent). The driving school training can be scheduled before turning 14 so as to start on the day, but driving on public roads can only begin from the date of the birthday.
Conclusion
The AM licence is a quick and inexpensive formality compared with the category B licence, but it remains mandatory for all license-free car drivers born after 1988. Two to three days of training, 300 to 500 €, and you are legally in order for the years to come.
Once the AM licence is in hand, the next step is to choose the right vehicle and equip yourself to drive safely. Our license-free car guide helps you compare models, understand the rules of the road and choose the right tools, including a GPS that truly understands the constraints of light quadricycles.