The BSR, now referred to as category AM of the driving license, allows the driving of a moped or a small car from the age of 14. Its theoretical part, the ASSR, is taken for free at school. The practical part, however, remains paid and takes place at a driving school. Understanding this distinction helps to precisely identify what can be obtained at no cost and what cannot.
ASSR at school: the only truly free step towards the BSR
There is often confusion between the BSR as a whole and its theoretical component. The BSR consists of two distinct parts: the ASSR (Road Safety Certificate), taken in a school setting, and mandatory practical training at an accredited driving school.
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ASSR 1 and ASSR 2 are the only free steps in the journey towards the AM license. ASSR 1 is taken in 5th grade, while ASSR 2 is taken in 3rd grade. Both are organized annually by schools, at no cost to families.
ASSR 2 is sufficient to start the BSR process. The ANTS systematically requires an ASSR 1 or 2 to create the NEPH number for those under 21, which is a prerequisite for any AM license application. Without this certificate obtained at school, it is impossible to initiate any administrative procedure.
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It is therefore possible to take the BSR for free at school for its theoretical part, but the practical training remains the responsibility of the candidate or their family.
Loss of the ASSR: free process to recover the certificate
A significant number of young people lose their ASSR certificate between school and the time they wish to enroll in a driving school. This scenario is not blocking, provided they know the available recourse.
Duplicate from the school
The first step is to contact the school where the exam was taken. A simple letter addressed to the principal allows for obtaining a duplicate of the ASSR, with no costs other than postage and possible photocopying. The ASSR duplicate is free and sufficient to create the NEPH.
The available data does not guarantee a standard response time, as it varies by institution. Some schools keep results for several years, while others do not.
The ASR as a free backup
When the original school cannot find the results, or when the young person has been out of school, a second option exists: the ASR (Road Safety Certificate). This exam serves the same purpose as the ASSR for those outside the school system.
- The ASR is a free exam, organized by certain municipalities and GRETA
- Registration is open and does not require affiliation with a school
- The content covers the same road safety themes as the ASSR
- The certificate obtained is recognized by the ANTS for the creation of the NEPH number
This duo of duplicate + ASR constitutes a complete safety net. No expenses are necessary for the theoretical part of the BSR, even in the event of document loss.
Practical training at a driving school: the unavoidable cost of the AM license
The practical training for the BSR lasts a minimum of eight hours, divided between off-road (non-traffic) and on-road driving. It can only be provided by an accredited driving school. No public structure, no school, no municipality offers this training for free in the general framework.
The price varies depending on the driving schools and regions. Field feedback diverges on this point: some driving schools offer packages that include only the mandatory hours, while others add complementary services (booklet, photos, administrative fees). Comparing several quotes remains the only reliable method to limit expenses.
Content of the mandatory practical training
The training is divided into several distinct sequences:
- A sequence to raise awareness of road risks, often in a classroom
- Manoeuvring exercises on a closed course (braking, slalom, trajectory)
- Real traffic driving, supervised by an instructor
- A module dedicated to hazard perception and safety equipment
At the end of these hours, the driving school issues a training certificate. There is no final exam for the BSR: validation relies on the instructor’s assessment throughout the training. The certificate then allows for requesting the AM driving title from the ANTS.
Financial aids to reduce the cost of BSR training
While total free access to the BSR does not exist, several programs can lighten the cost of practical training. Their accessibility depends on the candidate’s geographical and social situation.
Some local authorities (municipalities, departments) offer occasional assistance to young people wishing to obtain the AM license. These programs are not standardized at the national level. Each municipality or departmental council sets its own eligibility criteria.
Local missions sometimes assist young people aged 16 to 25 in financing their mobility, which may include partial coverage of the BSR. The process requires making an appointment with a counselor and justifying a professional integration project.
None of these programs guarantee full coverage. However, combining the free ASSR at school with local assistance can reduce the remaining cost to just the practical training, or even a fraction of it.
Keep your ASSR: a reflex that avoids complications
The ASSR is presented as a simple paper document handed out in class. Losing it complicates administrative procedures, even if recovery solutions exist. Scanning or photographing the certificate as soon as it is received at school avoids weeks of delay in obtaining a duplicate.
The certificate number and the date of issuance are the two pieces of information required by the ANTS when creating the NEPH. Keeping them in a digital space (messaging, family cloud) is the simplest and most effective precaution for a teenager who will not enroll in a driving school until several months or even years after taking the exam at school.