Driving license at 17 in 2024: motorcyclists excluded from this measure

The new regulation aimed at allowing the acquisition of the driving license from the age of 17 in 2024 is attracting the interest of young drivers but leaves some on the sidelines. Indeed, while this measure seems appealing to facilitate young people's access to mobility, it unfortunately excludes motorcyclists.

A lowering of the driving license age favorable to drivers

Announced by the French government, this measure aims to give more freedom to young people regarding mobility and autonomy. This should especially facilitate their access to employment or higher education, which sometimes requires long daily commutes. Young drivers will thus be able to benefit from the advantages of a driving license and increase their experience behind the wheel.

However, contrary to the expectations of certain categories of road users, this lowering of the age only applies to license B (car). Future two-wheeled vehicle drivers will therefore be deprived of this advancement and will continue to be subject to the obligation to wait until they are 18 years old to take the motorcycle license - A, A1, or A2.

The consequences for motorcycle license candidates

Faced with this exclusion, several questions arise regarding the repercussions for future motorcyclists:

• Injustices between drivers and motorcyclists - If the merits of this measure are praised to facilitate the lives of young drivers, the same logic should apply to aspiring motorcyclists.
• Loss of potential benefits - Early access to the motorcycle license could also have been a means for candidates to gain experience on two wheels before entering traffic.
• Less choice for young people - Two-wheeled enthusiasts will have no alternative but to wait another year to live their passion or opt for other means of transportation that do not necessarily meet their expectations.

Reasons for the exclusion of motorcyclists: road safety and immaturity

Among the reasons cited to justify the exclusion of motorcyclists from this new regulation, the concern for road safety is the primary one. It is often argued that the risks of serious accidents are higher among young motorcyclists due to the vulnerability associated with this type of vehicle. Hence, there arises a heightened caution for this category of users, with a minimum age maintained at 18 years to obtain the motorcycle license.

The other argument put forward would be a period of immaturity characteristic of adolescence, during which young people might be tempted to ride at high speeds without necessarily mastering their machines. Granting the motorcycle license at 17 could increase the number of accidents due mainly to spontaneous races and reckless behavior.

Possible solutions to integrate motorcyclists into this measure

Nevertheless, prioritizing road safety should not prevent the consideration of a system that would allow future motorcyclists to be included in this lowering of the minimum age for the driving license:

1. Make accompanied driving for aspiring motorcyclists mandatory, as is already done for drivers currently.
2. Propose a progressive system: for example, allow taking the A1 license (125 cc) from the age of 17 and maintain the required age at 18 for other categories of motorcycle licenses.
3. Establish a strengthened awareness program regarding driving behaviors specific to motorcyclists, with additional training or educational workshops.

Thus, the inclusion of motorcyclists in this new regulation deserves thorough examination to make this law fair for all future drivers, regardless of their vehicle choice. This measure should not result in a discrimination between drivers and motorcyclists, thus creating an imbalance in access opportunities to a driving license from the age of 17.