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Driving license information
Our driving license categories - your path to the right driving license
All driving license categories at a glance – explained clearly and concisely. Find out which driving license category you need for which vehicle and which requirements apply.
Car
All car driving license classes at a glance - Which class do you need for your car, SUV or trailer combination? Here you will find all the important information on driving license classes, requirements and legal regulations.
Class B driving license
Motor vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight
(GVW) with no more than 9 seats. Also with trailers up to 750 kg GVW or trailers over 750 kg GVW, provided the maximum permissible mass of the combination does not exceed 3.5 t. No motorcycles and no three-wheeled vehicles.
Theory
12 lessons of general material and 2 lessons of specific material.
If you have previously held another category, the theory training is reduced to 6 general and 2 specific lessons.
Practice drives
as required
Special driving lessons
At least 12 driving lessons of 45 minutes (5 country drives, 4 highway drives, 3 night drives)
Driving test
Theory and practice
Minimum age
18 years (BF17 – accompanied driving 17 years)
Transfer/reissue of a driving license
Compulsory training is not required if a foreign driving license is transferred or reissued
The quantities stated for practice drives and special drives always refer to 45 minutes.
Accompanied driving from 17 (BF17)
The category B driving license can be issued for accompanied driving from the age of 17. Training can be started at the age of 16 ½. You must nominate at least one accompanying person who must meet the following criteria
Minimum age 30 years
Have held a category B driving license for at least 5 years without interruption
No more than one point in the central traffic register in Flensburg
Procedure after passing the test (BF17)
After passing the test and reaching the age of 17, a test certificate is issued, which can then be used to drive in Germany or Austria with a registered accompanying person.
Card driver’s license and probationary period (BF17)
Upon reaching the age of 18, the actual card driver’s license can be issued after prior application.
The probationary period begins when the test certificate is issued. Vehicles in category AM may be driven without an accompanying person.
Class BE driving license
Vehicle combinations consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer, provided that the maximum permissible mass of the combination is over 4.25t GVW but not over 7t GVW.
Theory
none
Practice drives
as required
Special drives
At least 5 driving lessons of 45 minutes (1 highway drive, 1 night drive, 3 cross-country drives)
Driving test
Practical test
Minimum age
18 years (17 years for accompanied driving)
Prerequisite
Category B is a prerequisite for category BE.
Transfer/reissue of a driving license
If a foreign driving license is transferred or reissued, the mandatory training is not required
The quantities stated for practice drives and special drives always refer to 45 minutes.
Class B driving license with key number 96 (B96)
Category B vehicles with trailers over 750 kg GVW provided that the maximum permissible mass of the combination is over 3.5 t GVW but not over 4.25 t GVW.
Theory
150 minutes
Driving lessons
60 minutes
Practical exercises
210 minutes
Examination
No test required, training certificate
Minimum age
18 (17 for accompanied driving)
Prerequisites
Class B or BF17 driving license
Motorcycle
Which category do you need? - Whether motorcycle, scooter or light motorcycle - here you can find out which driving license category you need. Discover the different motorcycle categories, the requirements and important legal regulations at a glance.
Class A driving license (direct access)
Motorcycles without power restrictions and three-wheeled motor vehicles over 15 kW
Theory (direct access)
12 lessons of general material, 4 lessons of special material.
If you previously held a different class of driving license, the theory training is reduced to 6 lessons of general material and 4 lessons of special material.
Practical driving (direct access)
as required
Special driving (direct access)
A minimum of 12 driving lessons of 45 minutes each (4 highway, 3 night, 5 overland)
Examination (direct access)
Theory and practice
Minimum age (direct access)
24 years
The quantities for practice drives and special drives always refer to 45 minutes.
Upgrading from category A2 (less than 2 years previous possession)
Theory (upgrading A2 under 2 years)
6 lessons of general material, 4 lessons of special material
Practical driving (upgrading A2 under 2 years)
as required
Special driving (upgrading A2 under 2 years)
A minimum of 6 driving lessons of 45 minutes each (2 highway drives, 1 night drive, 3 cross-country drives)
Test (A2 promotion under 2 years)
Theory and practice
Minimum age (A2 promotion under 2 years)
24 years
Promotion from category A2 (from 2 years previous possession)
Practical drives (A2 promotion from 2 years)
as required
Examination (A2 promotion from 2 years)
practical test only
Minimum age (ascent A2 from 2 years)
20 years
Driving Licence Class A2 (Direct Access)
Motorcycles up to 35 kW and a maximum of 0.2 kW/kg
Theory (Direct Access)
12 lessons of general subjects, 4 lessons of specific subjects.
If another driving licence class is already held, the theory lessons are reduced to 6 general and 4 specific lessons.
Practice Lessons (Direct Access)
As needed
Special Lessons (Direct Access)
At least 12 driving lessons of 45 minutes (4 motorway, 3 night, 5 rural road lessons)
Examination (Direct Access)
Theory and practical
Minimum Age (Direct Access)
18 years
The stated numbers for practice and special lessons always refer to 45-minute units.
Upgrade from Class A1 (less than 2 years of possession)
Theory (Upgrade A1 under 2 years)
6 lessons of general subjects, 4 lessons of specific subjects.
Practice Lessons (Upgrade A1 under 2 years)
As needed
Special Lessons (Upgrade A1 under 2 years)
6 driving lessons of 45 minutes (2 motorway, 1 night, 3 rural road lessons)
Examination (Upgrade A1 under 2 years)
Theory and practical
Minimum Age (Upgrade A1 under 2 years)
18 years
Upgrade from Class A1 (after 2 years of possession)
Practice Lessons (Upgrade A1 after 2 years)
As needed
Examination (Upgrade A1 after 2 years)
Practical only
Driving Licence Class A1
Motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW and a maximum of 0.1 kW/kg; three-wheeled vehicles up to 15 kW
Theory
12 lessons of general subjects and 4 lessons of specific subjects.
Practice Lessons
As needed
Special Lessons
At least 12 driving lessons of 45 minutes (4 motorway, 3 night, 5 rural road lessons)
Examination
Theory and practical
Minimum Age
16 years
The stated numbers for practice and special lessons always refer to 45-minute units.
Driving Licence Class B with Code 196 (B196)
Motorcycles up to 125 cc, 11 kW and a maximum of 0.1 kW/kg; three-wheeled vehicles up to 15 kW
Theory
4 lessons of 90 minutes each
Practice Lessons
At least 5 driving lessons of 90 minutes each
Special Lessons
None
Examination
None
Minimum Age
25 years
Requirement
Possession of a Class B driving licence for at least 5 years
The B196 licence is valid only in Germany. No simplified upgrade to Class A2 possible!
Driving Licence Class AM
Mopeds up to 50 cc and a maximum speed of 45 km/h, 4 kW for electric motors; trikes and quads with a maximum of 50 cc, 4 kW and an unladen weight of up to 350 kg (excluding battery for electric vehicles)
Theory
12 lessons of general subjects, 2 lessons of specific subjects.
Practice Lessons
As needed
Special Lessons
None
Examination
Theory and practical
Minimum Age
15 years
There is no probationary period for the Class AM driving licence.
Moped Test Certificate
Moped up to 50 cc and a maximum speed of 25 km/h
Theory
6 lessons in the moped course
Practice Lessons
90 minutes
Special Lessons
None
Examination
Theory only
Minimum Age
15 years
Truck
All classes and requirements at a glance - Find out which driving license class you need for trucks, vans and heavy commercial vehicles. Here you will find all the information about the requirements, vehicle types and legal regulations.
Driving License Class C
Motor Vehicles (excluding motorcycles) over 7.5 t GVW and max. 9 seats (with trailers up to 750 kg GVW)
Theory Class C
6 lessons of general content, 10 (4 if Class C1 is already held) lessons of specific content
Practice Drives Class C
As needed
Rural Drives Class C
At least 5 (3 if Class C1 is already held)
Highway Drives Class C
At least 2 (1 if Class C1 is already held)
Night Drives Class C
At least 3 (1 if Class C1 is already held)
Examination Class C
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C
21 years (18 years for professional driver training and similar occupations)
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Class C and CE in a Combined Training Program
Theory Class C/CE
6 lessons of general content, 10 (4 if Class C1 is already held) lessons of specific Class C content and 4 lessons of specific Class CE content
Practice Drives Class C/CE
As needed
Rural Drives Class C/CE
At least 3 solo and 5 with trailer
Highway Drives Class C/CE
At least 1 solo and 2 with trailer
Night Drives Class C/CE
At least 3 with trailer
Examination Class C/CE
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C/CE
21 years (18 years for professional driver training and similar occupations)
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Driving License Class CE
Motor Vehicles of Class C with trailers over 750 kg GVW
Theory Class CE
6 lessons of general content, 4 lessons of specific content
Practice Drives Class CE
As needed
Rural Drives Class CE
At least 5
Highway Drives Class CE
At least 2
Night Drives Class CE
At least 3
Examination Class CE
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class CE
21 years (18 years for professional driver training or similar occupations)
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Class C and CE in a Combined Training Program
Theory Class C/CE
6 lessons of general content, 10 (4 if Class C1 is already held) lessons of specific Class C content and 4 lessons of specific Class CE content
Practice Drives Class C/CE
As needed
Rural Drives Class C/CE
At least 2 solo and 5 with trailer
Highway Drives Class C/CE
At least 1 solo and 2 with trailer
Night Drives Class C/CE
At least 3 with trailer
Examination Class C/CE
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C/CE
21 years (18 years for professional driver training or similar occupations)
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Driving License Class C1
Motor Vehicles (excluding motorcycles) over 3.5 t GVW, up to 7.5 t GVW and no more than 9 seats. Also with trailers up to 750 kg GVW
Theory Class C1
6 lessons of general content and 6 lessons of specific content
Practice Drives Class C1
As needed
Rural Drives Class C1
At least 3
Highway Drives Class C1
At least 1
Night Drives Class C1
At least 1
Examination Class C1
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C1
18 years
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Class C1 and C1E in a Combined Training Program
Theory Class C1/C1E
6 lessons of general content and 6 lessons of specific content
Practice Drives Class C1/C1E
As needed
Rural Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 1 solo and 3 with trailer
Highway Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 1 solo and 1 with trailer
Night Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 2 with trailer
Examination Class C1/C1E
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C1/C1E
18 years
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Driving License Class C1E
Vehicles of Class C1 with trailers over 750 kg GVW. The GVW of the combination must not exceed 12 t.
Vehicles of Class B with trailers, if the GVW of the combination exceeds 7 t but does not exceed 12 t.
Theory Class C1E
None
Practice Drives Class C1E
As needed
Rural Drives Class C1E
At least 3
Highway Drives Class C1E
At least 1
Night Drives Class C1E
At least 1
Examination Class C1E
Practical
Minimum Age Class C1E
18 years
The number of practice and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Class C1 and C1E in a Combined Training Program
Theory Class C1/C1E
6 lessons of general content and 6 lessons of specific content
Practice Drives Class C1/C1E
As needed
Rural Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 1 solo and 3 with trailer
Highway Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 1 solo and 1 with trailer
Night Drives Class C1/C1E
At least 2 with trailer
Examination Class C1/C1E
Theory and practical
Minimum Age Class C1/C1E
18 years
The number of driving lessons and special drives always refers to 45 minutes.
In the case of converting a foreign license or re-issuing, the mandatory training is waived.
Driving License Class L
Agricultural or forestry tractors up to 40 km/h and work machines up to 25 km/h
Theory
12 lessons of general content, 2 lessons of specific content
Practice Drives
None
Special Drives
None
Examination
Theory only
Minimum Age
16 years
There is no probationary period for the Class L driving license.