For a long time, the motorized two-wheeler was considered only as an ultimate getaway vehicle, but recently a two-wheeler is increasingly considered as a daily vehicle. This is evidenced by the record number of A, A1 and A2 driving licenses issued in our country in the year 2021.
According to statistics from the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, 30,526 driving licenses were issued in Belgium 2021 that give access to the use of a motorized two-wheeler," says Stijn Vancuyck, advisor motorized two-wheelers at FEBIAC. This is an increase of +47.4% compared to the number of permits issued in 2020. And even compared to 2019, the pre-Covid year, this result represents a significant increase of +22.4%.
The health context is no stranger to this craze for motorized two-wheelers:
Because of the travel restrictions due to the pandemic lockdown, many people have been able to save on their leisure budget and invest in a motorcycle license," continues Stijn Vancuyck. With limited social contacts, people have been looking for ways to enjoy some of their "freedom" and motorcycles are an excellent way to do this, also acting as a personal health bubble for commuting.
This record number of motorcycle licenses issued is expected to support the motorcycle market in fiscal year 2022:
"By announcing results in 2020 and 2021 that are higher than in 2019, the motorcycle market has come through the COVID-19 period perfectly," concludes Stijn Vancuyck. Even though not all A2 and A licences mean new motorcyclists, as these categories also include people who previously held an A1 or A2 licence and have moved on to a higher category, the rising number of licences issued in 2021 gives us hope that new motorcycle sales will also increase in 2022."
Evolution of the number of licences issued for two-wheeled motorcycles in Belgium
A- | A1 | A2 | A | Total | |
2001 | 5.575 |
|
| 8.405 | 15.981 |
2002 | 6.142 |
|
| 9.297 | 15.439 |
2003 | 6.728 |
|
| 10.270 | 16.998 |
2004 | 5.873 |
|
| 13.435 | 19.308 |
2005 | 7.065 |
|
| 8.967 | 16.032 |
2006 | 4.600 |
|
| 10.657 | 15.257 |
2007 | 5.269 |
|
| 8.173 | 13.442 |
2008 | 5.671 |
|
| 8.648 | 14.319 |
2009 | 5.681 |
|
| 8.527 | 14.208 |
2010 | 5.800 |
|
| 8.591 | 14.391 |
2011 | 5.481 |
|
| 8.602 | 14.083 |
2012 | 7.293 |
|
| 11.337 | 18.630 |
2013 | 2.140 | 6.727 | 6.640 | 10.122 | 25.629 |
2014 |
| 7.459 | 7.132 | 7.642 | 22.233 |
2015 |
| 7.094 | 6.825 | 7.545 | 21.464 |
2016 |
| 7.301 | 7.121 | 7.134 | 21.556 |
2017 |
| 7.871 | 7.730 | 7.765 | 23.366 |
2018 |
| 8.241 | 8.066 | 7.930 | 24.237 |
2019 |
| 8.685 | 8.475 | 7.786 | 24.946 |
2020 |
| 7.122 | 6.993 | 6.557 | 20.672 |
2021 |
| 10.464 | 10.394 | 9.668 | 30.526 |
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A1 driving license: From the age of 18. Obligatory for drivers of motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 125 cc or less
A2 licence: for people over 20 years old. Required for motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW (47 hp).
A license: for persons over 24 years of age. Required for motorcycles of more than 35 kW. The age limit is reduced to 22 years for motorcyclists who have held an A2 license for at least 2 years.
