You came across the term “B2 license” in a job offer or a driving forum and you don’t know what it refers to. This confusion is normal: the B2 license does not appear in any official category of the French Highway Code. However, the term is circulating, and it encompasses realities that are better understood before committing to a training course or responding to an ad.
B2 License and Official Nomenclature: Why This Term Is Problematic
In France, the categories of driving licenses are set by Article R221-4 of the Highway Code and by European Directive 2006/126/EC. The list includes categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, B96, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE. No “B2” category exists in this nomenclature.
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On the secure title issued by the ANTS (via the Cerfa form n°14866*01), the mention B2 does not appear either. The document only recognizes the categories and sub-mentions listed above.
So why do we find this acronym everywhere? Several reasons. Some driving schools use it as a marketing shortcut to refer to a “level” of training beyond the standard B license. Forums use the term to talk about the B license with restrictions, such as the B78 mention (automatic transmission). To know precisely what the B2 license is, one must untangle common usage from regulatory reality.
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Frequent Confusion Between B2, B78, and B96 Licenses
Most people searching for “B2 license” actually encounter one of these three concrete situations.
B License with Mention 78 (Automatic Transmission)
If you take the practical test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, your B license will carry the mention 78. This restriction prohibits you from driving a vehicle with a manual transmission. After a period, additional training can lift this restriction and grant you a full B license.
Some driving schools refer to this pathway as “B2” to distinguish it from the standard manual transmission course. This designation has no regulatory value.
Additional Mention B96
The mention B96 pertains to towing a trailer. You need it when the trailer exceeds 750 kg of GVW and the sum of the GVW (vehicle + trailer) is greater than 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg. Obtaining it involves a few hours of training, without a separate road test.
BE License
For a total GVW exceeding 4,250 kg, the BE license becomes mandatory. It requires a separate practical exam. Again, confusion with a hypothetical “B2” is common among candidates who are new to the system.
A simple table clarifies things:
| Designation | Official Status | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| B License | Legal Category | Vehicle up to 3,500 kg, max 9 seats |
| B78 | Restrictive Mention | B License limited to automatic transmission |
| B96 | Additional Mention | Trailer with total GVW between 3,500 and 4,250 kg |
| BE | Legal Category | Trailer with total GVW exceeding 4,250 kg |
| “B2” | No Official Status | Informal term, variable depending on context |
French-speaking Countries Where the B2 License Actually Exists
Outside the European Union, some French-speaking countries do use the B2 category in their own classification of licenses. This is the case in several African states that still apply old nomenclatures inspired by the French model before European harmonization.
In these countries, the B2 generally designates a sub-category of light vehicles with weight or engine capacity thresholds different from the standard B license. If you obtained a B2 license abroad and wish to drive in France, the procedure for exchanging licenses depends on the bilateral agreements between France and your country of origin. The ANTS manages these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Before starting an exchange process, check that your country is on the list of states with a reciprocity agreement with France. Without an agreement, you will have to retake the theoretical and practical tests of the French B license.
Concrete Steps According to Your Actual Situation
Since the “B2 license” encompasses different realities, the steps vary. Here are the most common cases.
- You want to take the B license on an automatic transmission (often referred to as “B2” by driving schools): enroll in a driving school that offers this option. The theoretical test is the same as the standard Highway Code. The practical test is conducted in a vehicle with an automatic transmission.
- You have a B78 license and want to lift the restriction: after a regulatory period, take additional training at an accredited driving school. No new road test is required.
- You need to tow a heavy trailer: depending on the total GVW, take the B96 mention (short training) or the BE license (separate practical exam).
- You hold a foreign B2 license: submit an exchange request on the ANTS website. Prepare your original title, proof of residence, and an identity document. Processing takes several weeks.
What an Employer Means When They Require a “B2 License”
In job offers, the mention “B2 license” regularly creates confusion. In most cases, the employer is simply asking for a valid B license, without the automatic transmission restriction. Some recruiters add the “2” to indicate that they expect proficiency in manual driving, or that a service vehicle with a trailer is part of the job.
Before applying, contact the employer to clarify this point. Ask if the position involves driving a manual transmission vehicle, using a trailer, or traveling with a specific GVW. This verification avoids committing to unnecessary training.
The ambiguity surrounding the “B2 license” reflects a gap between common vocabulary and regulation. Keeping in mind that only the official nomenclature of the Highway Code is valid, you will always know which category or mention to focus on.