A 14-year-old teenager wants to ride a scooter to school, but their parents discover that practical training costs several dozen euros at a driving school. The theoretical part of the BSR can be prepared for free online. We take stock of what can actually be done remotely, what must be done in person, and ways to reduce the cost of practical training.
Theoretical part of the BSR: what can really be prepared online
The BSR, now called category AM of the driving license, consists of two parts: a theoretical certificate (ASSR 1, ASSR 2, or ASR) and a practical training of eight hours. Only the theoretical part can be worked on online for free.
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Since the reform on March 1, 2019, several free platforms allow students to revise for the ASSR tests at home. The National Education, CNED, Éduscol, and the Zérotracas website from MMA offer training series accessible without paid registration. These include multiple-choice questions on road safety, signage, traffic rules, and behaviors to adopt on a moped.
The possibility of taking the BSR online for free therefore concerns theoretical preparation, not the entire course. The official ASSR test is still organized by a school or a GRETA, never as a private candidate from home.
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ASSR 1, ASSR 2, or ASR: which certificate according to your situation
These three acronyms are often confused. The choice depends on the age and educational background of the candidate.
- ASSR 1: taken in the 5th grade, it allows registration for the practical BSR training from the age of 14 to ride a moped with a maximum of 50 cm3
- ASSR 2: taken in the 9th grade, it also serves as a prerequisite for the BSR and will be required later when applying for a B license
- ASR: intended for non-schooled individuals (apprentices, young dropouts, adults), it is taken in a GRETA or an accredited training center and replaces the ASSR
If you have lost your certificate, the administration of the school where you took it can provide a duplicate. Without this document, no driving school will be able to register you for practical training.
Practical BSR training at a driving school: the part that cannot be free for everyone
The practical training lasts eight hours, spread over at least two days. It includes five mandatory sequences: discussions on driving representations, off-road learning, on-road driving, risk awareness, and a debriefing with a parent or legal representative for minors.
This part takes place exclusively in an accredited driving school, on a moped or a light quadricycle depending on the chosen option. No online platform can replace these eight practical hours.
Regional aid to finance practical training
Since 2023, several regions and departments have implemented programs that cover the entire cost of practical training for certain groups. The Grand Est Region, for example, offers a “Coup de pouce permis AM” aimed at young people registered with a local mission. The Nord Department revised its “Permis mobilité jeunes” aid in 2024 for apprentices and RSA beneficiaries.
These aids effectively make the BSR free for eligible individuals, but they remain territorial. Feedback varies on this point: some local missions process applications in a few weeks, while others take several months. Contact your local mission or departmental council to check if a program exists in your area.
Effectively revising for the ASSR online: a concrete method
The free platforms offer thematic series covering signage, priority rules, mandatory equipment, and risks related to alcohol or speed. Here’s an approach that works to prepare for the exam in a few days.
- Start with thematic series (signs, priorities, behavior) before moving on to mixed series, to identify your gaps
- Redo each series you failed the next day: short-term memory retains better with a 24-hour gap between two sessions
- Focus on questions related to mopeds and urban traffic, which represent a significant part of the ASSR test
- Use the situational videos provided by Éduscol: they replicate the exact format of the questions asked during the official exam
The official test consists of about twenty multiple-choice questions, often accompanied by short videos. A minimum score of half the correct answers is required to validate the certificate.
AM modules on online code platforms
Since January 2024, several code training platforms (Ornikar, Lepermislibre, Codes Rousseau via PrépaCode) have added specific modules for category AM. These modules complement the ASSR preparation with questions focused on riding a moped or a light vehicle. Some accesses are free, others included in paid packages, depending on the platform.
AM license without points and without medical visit: what it changes in daily life
The AM license is not part of the points system. An infraction committed while riding a 50 cm3 scooter does not affect the points capital of a potential B license obtained later. The AM license also does not require a medical visit, except in cases of suspension or cancellation of another license.
This category allows riding mopeds up to 50 cm3 (or 4 kW for electric models) limited to 45 km/h, as well as light quadricycles with engines (small cars). The choice between the moped option and the quadricycle option is made when registering at the driving school, and each option corresponds to distinct training.
The BSR remains valid for life for individuals born after January 1, 1988. For those born before this date, no license is required to ride a 50 cm3 moped, provided they can prove prior practice.