Fahrerlaubnis Erteilung

§§ 21, 22 FeV; § 2 StVG

If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, you generally need a driving license.

The driving license is issued for certain categories and is evidenced by the driving license.
The following categories exist:

• Class A - motorcycle
• Class A1 - motorcycle
• Class A2 - motorcycle
• Class AM - motorcycle
• Class B - Passenger car
• Class C - Truck
• Category C1 - Lorry
• Category D - Bus
• Category D1 - Bus
• Category E (BE, CE, C1E, DE, D1E)
• Category T - Tractors
• Category L - tractor units

Professional drivers:
Carriage of goods or passengers by road on public roads with the following motor vehicles:

• Vehicles with a maximum permissible mass greater than 3.5 tons (category C1, C1E, C, CE driving license),
• Vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats in passenger transport (category D1, D1E, D, DE driving license)

and if the categories

• D1, D1E, D, DE from 10.9.2008 and
• C1, C1E, C, CE from 10.09.2009

have obtained the basic qualification in accordance with the Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG) and the Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance and have a driver qualification certificate issued by the municipal or local authority. Ask the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for details.

• 1. for all classes:

- Identity card or passport
- Certificate of registration, if applicable
- Photograph that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance
- Previous original driver's license

• 2. for categories A, A1, A2, AM, L, T, B, BE in addition to 1:

- Proof of participation in 1st aid training
- Eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)

• 3. for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE in addition to 1:

- Proof of training in 1st aid,
- Certificate or report on eyesight (not older than 2 years)
- Certificate or expert opinion on physical and mental aptitude

• 4. for categories D1, D1E, D and DE in addition to 1. and 3:

- Expert opinion on special requirements
- Certificate of good conduct of document type O (can also be requested from the driving license authority)

• Important information about the photo booths in all offices of the Citizens' Registration Office:
  • The machines are operated by external companies and often do not work. It cannot be guaranteed that passport photos can be taken on site.We advise you to bring passport photos with you to your appointment.

• Reaching the minimum age (according to § 10 FeV )
• Fulfillment of the aptitude requirements
• Theoretical and practical test

Fee:45,90€

with trial period

Fee:45,10€

without probationary period Classes M, L, T

• Application to the driving license authority (usually made by the driving school)
• Examination of the documents by the authority
• Obtaining information from the register (central traffic register), in some cases a certificate of good conduct
• Issuing a test order to the TÜV
• Issue of the driving license by handing over the driving license (as part of the practical test by the TÜV), exceptions are possible

Theoretical test:

• must always be taken in writing in German
• if you do not have sufficient reading or writing skills: Audio test
• with deaf interpreter if required
• The test for category B and the test for only the basic material in the other categories (including mopeds) can also be taken in writing in the following foreign languages: English, French, Greek, High Arabic, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish.

The TÜV returns test orders to the driving license authority if

• the theoretical test is not passed within twelve months of receipt of the test order,
• the practical test is not passed within twelve months of passing the theory test, or
• in cases where no theory test is required, the practical test has not been passed within twelve months of receipt of the test order. An extension is not possible. A new application must be submitted.

Further information can be obtained from the driving license authority.

4-6 weeks

Driving licenses for categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, L, M and T are issued for an unlimited period.
Driving licenses for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D, D1, DE and D1E are issued for a period of five years in each case, subject to appropriate proof of suitability. Classes D, D1, DE and D1E can only be extended beyond the age of 50 if the applicant also proves that they meet the "special requirements".

No driving license is required to drive the following motor vehicles, but a test certificate is required:

• Single-track, single-seater bicycles with an auxiliary motor up to 25 km/h (mopeds; special seats for carrying children under the age of seven may be fitted).
• Electronic mobility aids within the meaning of the Mobility Aids Ordinance (MobHV)

Neither a driving license nor a test certificate is required for the following vehicles:

• Motorized medical wheelchairs, single-seater motor vehicles intended by design for use by physically disabled persons with:
  - Electric drive,
  - an unladen weight of no more than 300 kg including batteries but without a driver,
  - a maximum authorized mass of not more than 500 kg,
  - a maximum design speed of no more than 15 km/h
  - a maximum overall width of 110 cm.
• There are transitional provisions and special regulations (test certificate requirement) for older motorized medical wheelchairs with a speed of more than 10 km/h.
• Tractors that are designed for agricultural or forestry purposes, self-propelled work machines, forklifts and other industrial trucks with a maximum speed of no more than 6 km/h as determined by their design, as well as single-axle tractors and work machines that are guided by pedestrians on handrails.

in goods or passenger transportation on public roads with the following motor vehicles:

• Vehicles with a maximum permissible mass greater than 3.5 tons (category C1, C1E, C, CE driving license),
• Vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats in passenger transport (category D1, D1E, D, DE driving license)

and if the categories

• D1, D1E, D, DE from 10.9.2008 and
• C1, C1E, C, CE from 10.09.2009

have obtained the basic qualification in accordance with the Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG) and the Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance and have a driver qualification certificate issued by the municipal or local authority. Ask the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for details.

Examination in foreign languages
The theoretical examination must always be taken in German. It is based on questions. Applicants who cannot read or write sufficiently have the option of being tested orally in German, if necessary with audio support. If the applicant declines this option, the examination will take place in writing. The oral examination must correspond to the written examination in terms of content and scope. A deaf interpreter must be permitted for the examination of deaf persons. The class B examination and the examination of only the basic material in the other classes (including mopeds) can also be taken in writing in the following foreign languages:

English, French, Greek, High Arabic, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish and Turkish

If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, you generally need a driving license. If you want to obtain a driving license for the first time, please contact a driving school. Everything else will be arranged from there.

Exception: If you have a criminal record, please contact the driving license office directly.

Note for driving schools:Please note our information for driving schools under the heading "Driving licenses".