If you are settled in Germany and planning to make a life here, you may want to get a driver’s license, especially if you live in an area without proper access to public transportation. In this article, we are going to guide you through the steps you need to follow in order to obtain your German driver’s license or transfer the one you got from your home country.
First Aid Course
In Germany, taking a first aid course is a requirement for obtaining a driver’s license. Here are some important things to know about taking a first aid course for your driver’s license in Germany.
The first aid course typically covers topics such as assessing and providing assistance to injured individuals, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), wound management, and how to handle various emergency situations. The course involves some practical exercises to ensure that you are capable of applying your knowledge in real-life situations and may also include information on the legal responsibilities of a first aider in Germany.
After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate. This certificate is a mandatory document for your driver’s license application, and you will need to submit it as proof of having completed the required training.
Get Your Eyes Checked
Before starting the driving license instruction in Germany, it is required by law to do an eye exam (as specified in driving license regulation 12 paragraph 2). Before the first hour of driving, you must present a vision certificate handed out by an eye doctor. Do not worry if you don’t pass the test: if you need glasses or a different kind of visual aid, it will be noted on your driving license and you will need to wear them compulsorily. The price both for the first aid course and the eyes test is usually 60 euros.
Before starting the driving license instruction in Germany, it is required by law to do an eye exam (as specified in driving license regulation 12 paragraph 2). Before the first hour of driving, you must present a vision certificate handed out by an eye doctor. Do not worry if you don’t pass the test: if you need glasses or a different kind of visual aid, it will be noted on your driving license and you will need to wear them compulsorily. The price both for the first aid course and the eyes test is usually 60 euros.
Register at a Driving School
After having completed the first aid course, you can register at a driving school (Fahrschule). The driving school offers theory and practical lessons for a fee (the amount depends on each school). You can find English-speaking driving schools right here on Project Expat in our Car & Driving category!
Theoretical Exam
After having completed the required theory classes, you need to pass the theoretical test, which consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. Since 18 is the legal age in Germany to drive a car, you can take this test three months before your 18th birthday. Before registering for the exam, you’ll need to take at least 12 theory classes.
You must obtain no more than 10 minus points in order to pass. If you haven’t mastered the German language yet, don’t worry at all — the test is available in eleven foreign languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic or Russian, among others.
Practical Driving Lessons
The first practical lessons typically begin at the same time as the theory course. However, you can decide when you want to start driving with your instructor. There is fundamental practical training at the outset. The number of hours you will need will be determined by your own abilities. Nevertheless, there is a minimum number of practical lessons everyone must attend in order to take the exam: five 45-minute lessons on federal or country roads, four lessons on the highway and three driving hours at night or at dusk. After these hours, you should consult your instructor to check whether you have enough practice and confidence to face the exam.
Practical Driving Test
The practical test can be taken after you and your instructor have determined that you are competent enough to drive a vehicle. The driving test lasts between 30 and 45 minutes in total, where they asses your driving skills in terms of safety and competence. Once you pass the practical test, you will obtain your driver’s license! Congratulations — you can drive in Germany!
The first practical lessons typically begin at the same time as the theory course. However, you can decide when you want to start driving with your instructor. There is fundamental practical training at the outset. The number of hours you will need will be determined by your own abilities. Nevertheless, there is a minimum number of practical lessons everyone must attend in order to take the exam: five 45-minute lessons on federal or country roads, four lessons on the highway and three driving hours at night or at dusk. After these hours, you should consult your instructor to check whether you have enough practice and confidence to face the exam.
Practical Driving Test
The practical test can be taken after you and your instructor have determined that you are competent enough to drive a vehicle. The driving test lasts between 30 and 45 minutes in total, where they asses your driving skills in terms of safety and competence. Once you pass the practical test, you will obtain your driver’s license! Congratulations — you can drive in Germany!
Transferring Your Foreign Driver’s License
If your driver license was granted by an EU Member State or a state that is a signatory to the EEA Agreement, it will be valid when you move to Germany until the end of its validity period. However, if you come from any other country, you can only use your foreign driver’s license for up to six months. If you want to continue driving after this period of time, you must apply for a German driver’s license. You can make a request for it at the driving license office (Führerscheinstelle) in your town hall or local authorities office. You will have to pay a fee, which varies depending on the city, ranging from 40 to 80 €.
To complete your license exchange, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Proof of identify (passport or ID)
- Proof of completion of a first-aid course
- Your German address
- Confirmation of your residency from the German Federal Foreign Office
- Your original license to prove that it’s still valid
- A certified translation of your foreign driver’s license
Different Types of Licenses
In Germany, as well as in many other European countries, there are 5 different driver’s license classes.
Generally speaking, the different classes are the following ones:
- A → motorcycles and mopeds
- B → cars
- C → trucks
- D → buses with 8 or more seats
- L and T → tractors
If you want to drive a car, you will need a B license. With a B license, you are allowed to drive cars with a maximum permitted mass of no more than 3,500 kg and trailers or lorries up to 750 kg. If you want to drive a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, you must obtain a BE driving license, for which you will need additional driving lessons and a special exam.
When it comes to scooters or motorcycles, we refer to class A. Category AM allows you to drive two-wheel scooters with a maximum design speed of up to 45 km/h. Moreover, class A allows you to drive motorcycles with a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h or a cubic volume of more than 50 cc.
If you want to find out more information about the different driving license categories, check out the official webpage of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport here.
In Germany, as well as in many other European countries, there are 5 different driver’s license classes.
Generally speaking, the different classes are the following ones:
- A → motorcycles and mopeds
- B → cars
- C → trucks
- D → buses with 8 or more seats
- L and T → tractors
If you want to drive a car, you will need a B license. With a B license, you are allowed to drive cars with a maximum permitted mass of no more than 3,500 kg and trailers or lorries up to 750 kg. If you want to drive a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, you must obtain a BE driving license, for which you will need additional driving lessons and a special exam.
When it comes to scooters or motorcycles, we refer to class A. Category AM allows you to drive two-wheel scooters with a maximum design speed of up to 45 km/h. Moreover, class A allows you to drive motorcycles with a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h or a cubic volume of more than 50 cc.
If you want to find out more information about the different driving license categories, check out the official webpage of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport here.
German Driver’s License
It is commonly thought that German driving licenses do not have an expiration date. However, this is no longer true. In 2013, German driver’s licenses were limited to a 15-year validity period in accordance with EU regulations. Therefore, if you obtain a German driving license now, you must take into account that it will expire in 15 years.
A German driving license follows the EU regulations. It consists of a plastic card that is about the same size as a credit card. It contains information about you, including the vehicles you are permitted to drive. On the front of your card, you will find the following information: your picture, your full name, your date of birth, the issuing and expiration date, the issuing authority, the license number, your license class and your signature. On the back of the card, there is a chart with information on the different driving classes.
After the Führerscheinstelle checks that all the documents are up to date, you will be able to legally drive in Germany!
We hope that you found this guide useful and you feel ready to obtain your driver’s license. Good luck!
