Fahrerlaubnis Erteilung

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 refer to our information for driving schools under the heading "Driving licenses".

The driving license is issued for certain classes 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 - Tractors

Professional drivers:
Driving for commercial purposes (this also includes works traffic and auxiliary transport activities) 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 it entered in the driver's license with the key number 95. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for details.

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

• Application to the driving license authority (usually carried out by the driving school)
• Examination of the documents by the authority
• Obtaining of register information (central traffic register), zT certificate of good conduct
• Issuance of a test order to the TÜV (Technical Inspection Agency)
• Issuance of the driving license by handing out the driving license (in the context of the practical examination by the TÜV), exceptions are possible

Theoretical examination:

• basically to be taken in written form in German language
• if there is no sufficient reading or writing knowledge: Audio test
• if necessary with deaf interpreter
• Class B examination and the examination of the basic material only in the other classes (including Mofa) 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 has not been passed within twelve months of passing the theoretical test, or
• in cases where no theoretical 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 driver licensing authority.

4-6 weeks

Driving licences for categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, L, M and T are issued for an unlimited period.
Driving licences for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D, D1, DE and D1E are issued for five years in each case on presentation of appropriate proof of suitability. Classes D, D1, DE and D1E can only be renewed 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 designed for use by physically disabled persons with:
  - Electric drive,
  - an unladen weight of no more than 300 kg including batteries but without driver,
  - a maximum permissible mass of no more than 500 kg,
  - a maximum speed of no more than 15 km/h determined by the design
  - an overall width of no more than 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.

Anyone who carries out journeys for commercial purposes (this also includes works traffic and auxiliary transport activities) 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)

must, if the categories

• D1, D1E, D, DE from 10.9.08 and classes
• C1, C1E, C, CE were acquired from 10.09.09,

provide proof of the basic qualification in accordance with the Professional Drivers Qualification Act (BKrFQG) and the Professional Drivers Qualification Ordinance and have it entered in the driver's license with the code number 95. Details can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce.

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 examined orally in German, with audio support if necessary. 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, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish and Turkish