Take your own car on vacation, invite friends for a spin or simply be mobile without restrictions. For many people, a driver’s license means one thing above all: freedom. young people in particular long for this independence and start their driver’s license training when they come of age. How the road to a driving license works, what costs can be expected and how novice drivers can get a driving license at the age of 17, read here.
driving license: from the registration to the exam
The car driving license starts with the search for the right driving school. If you have found this, you start with the theoretical training. At the same time you can already start with the practical driving lessons get started. Take care in time for a first aid course, eye test, passport photo and the driving license and test application. Then it gets serious: after passing theory test the admission to the practical driving test. If they have also successfully mastered this, they receive the driver’s license and start with the two-year probationary period.
- Driving school registration
- Theoretical training (14 double hours)
- Practical training (min. 12 driving lessons)
- Formalities: first aid course, eye test, passport photo, driver’s license and exam application form
- Theoretical exam
- Practical test
- probationary period (2 years)
costs car driving license
the costs for the car driving license vary greatly depending on the federal state, the driving school and the individual learning speed. On average, the B driving license costs about 1.500 to 2.000 euro. Depending on the number of driving lessons taken, however, fees of up to 3.000 euro possible. The costs of the driver’s license consist of:
| basic fee driving school (incl. theory lessons) |
200 € |
| learning material | 50 € |
| practice driving lessons | About. 30 x 30 € |
| special trips | ca. 12 x 50 € |
| examination fee (theory& practice) |
150 € |
| driver’s license application | 35 € |
| eye test, first aid course, passport photos |
60 euro |
| total | 1.995 € |
If you do not pass the driving test, you will have to pay the test fees and, if applicable. Further costs for additional driving lessons. Some driving schools charge a higher fee for driving lessons after a failed test than before. Read the terms and conditions of your driving school in detail before you sign the contract.
compulsory hours driving license: theory and practice
The training for the driver’s license takes place in two areas, on the one hand in theory and on the other hand in practice. especially in the practical part the motto is: practice makes perfect. how many driving lessons you need to pass the test depends on you individually. but every learner driver must have a minimum number of compulsory theoretical and practical hours to prove before being admitted to the driving test.
compulsory hours driving license: theory
The compulsory theory hours for the B license comprise a total of 14 double hours: 12 double lessons (90 minutes each) on the basic material as well as two double hours of additional material. The two additional units are compulsory, while the 12 basic theory hours can be taken as required.
compulsory hours driving license: practice
The admission to the practical driving test requires the following special drives:
- Intercity driving (5 x 45 minutes)
- Freeway driving (4 x 45 minutes)
- night driving (3 x 45 minutes)
Tip: in the first driving lesson you will learn how to adjust the car seat properly. Read already with us, how you sit correctly in the car.
In the dark everything looks different, therefore the night drive belongs to the compulsory hours
there is no minimum number of "normal" practice hours. However, it is advisable to trust the assessment of the driving instructor before you register for the driving test.
Hint: as a rule, you will learn how to drive a car with a shift car. alternatively, there is also a driver’s license that teaches them to drive automatics only.
applying for a driver’s license: even before the test dates
To apply for the driver’s license before the examinations at the responsible application office such as z.B. To the residents’ registration office, the road traffic office or the district authority. Ask your driving school who is the right contact person in your town. Sometimes the driving school itself will take care of the application for you. The processing of the application takes about four to six weeks in demand. only when the approval is received, the admission to the examinations takes place. Take care of the driver’s license application in time.
documents for driver’s license application
You must submit the following documents with your driver’s license application:
- Valid identity card/passport
- passport photo
- confirmation of the driving school
- Certificate of attendance of the first aid course
- eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
Driving test: theory and practice
once you have completed the compulsory theory hours and applied for your driver’s license, you can take the theory test. After that, the practical test must be taken within one year.
Theoretical driving test
The theoretical driving test for vehicle class B includes 30 multiple choice questions, based on a questionnaire of about 1000 questions. per question you can collect between two and five error points. out of 100 possible fault points you may at most eleven otherwise the test will be considered as failed. Exception: if you answer two questions incorrectly with five points each, you also fail the test.
Had you known? these 6 myths are persistent in road traffic.
Repeat theoretical driving test
If you do not pass the theoretical driving test, you are not allowed to use this license repeat as often as you like. The however, you have to pay the fees for the registration for the test every time again. Between attempts there must be a break of at least two weeks, in case of a deception attempt even six weeks until the next test attempt are prescribed.
Practical driving test
prerequisite for the practical driving test is theory test, which is a maximum of 12 months ago may. In addition to the external examiner, the driving instructor is also present. The driver sits in the passenger seat, but is not allowed to interfere with the driving. Otherwise the test is considered failed.
The lane change in flowing traffic must also be correct in the practical driving test
During the approximately 45 minutes long driving test you will be three basic tasks put like z.B. Parking, hazard braking or driving on a freeway. Avoid serious mistakes at all costs like running a red light, disregarding a stop sign or endangering other road users.
If you successfully pass the practical driving test, you will receive your driver’s license immediately afterwards – provided you are at least 18 years old at the time. For the driver’s license with 17 (BF17) special rules apply, which will be explained in more detail in the course.
repeat practical exam
Similar to the theory test, you can also retake the practical test if you fail. Also here applies: each additional test costs additional fees and between attempts you must at least two weeks lie. During this time, they analyze the mistakes together with their driving instructor and take new practice lessons. After the third failed attempt, an interruption of at least three months is mandatory, after that you have three more tests at your disposal. Should there be if you still have not passed your driving test after the sixth attempt, an MPU (medical-psychological examination) is first necessary, to be allowed to take the test again.
Tip: the driver’s license has been obtained, the first car has been bought – but how does it actually work with the registration? Find out in our magazine how to register a car.
Driving license at 17: accompanied driving (BF17)
According to accident statistics, young novice drivers are particularly affected by accidents. To protect this group of people, the BF17 driver’s license was introduced in 2004. Accompanied driving at 17 is intended to give minors the opportunity to gain driving experience under supervision at an early age.
Often the parents take over the function of the accompanying person, but this is not a prerequisite. Grandparents, neighbors and acquaintances can also accompany the novice driver. It is important to note that the accompanying person does not replace the driving instructor and is therefore not allowed to interfere with driving.
By the way, the registration and the exams can be done before the age of 17. you have to be at least two years old. You can register six months in advance, take the theory test three months in advance and the practical test one month in advance.
requirements for accompanying persons
The accompanying person is already named in the application for the BF17 driver’s license and must meet certain requirements:
- Mind. 30 years old
- class B driver’s license since at least. 5 years without interruption
- Max. 1 point in flensburg
In addition, the accompanying person must submit the following documents:
- Copy of the identity card
- Copy of the driver’s license
- Completed application with signature
More than one accompanying person can be registered. Should they ever caught on the road without one of these accompanying persons you may be threatened with 70 euro fine, one point in flensburg as well as the extension of the probationary period incl. additional seminar.
BF17: validity of the test certificate
At the end of the driving test, instead of the driver’s license B, you will receive a test certificate in which the names of the accompanying persons are noted. This certificate valid until three months after coming of age. So make sure to apply for your driver’s license in time. Attention: in contrast to the normal driving license, the certificate for accompanied driving is issued at the age of 17 recognized only in germany and austria.
Driving license probationary period: duration and rules for novice drivers
after passing your driving test, you will receive your driver’s license – but first on a probationary basis. During the probationary period of 2 years are supposed to prove to novice drivers that they are up to the task of driving on the road. During this period, the same rules apply, but there is the threat of stricter consequences than for longtime drivers. Depending on the severity of the violation, z.B. A postgraduate seminar, extension of the probationary period or an MPU may be necessary. During the probationary period 0.0 blood alcohol limit. For experienced drivers, the limit is 0.5 per mille.
Tip: whether you are a beginner or an experienced driver – a driving safety course helps you to refresh your knowledge and to behave correctly in dangerous situations.
Driving license validity: where and how long?
The driving license is valid indefinitely, but the driver’s license expires after 15 years. Their driving licenses are also recognized across borders, but depending on the country, only in conjunction with an international driver’s license.
Where is the driving license valid abroad?
The german driver’s license is valid throughout the EU as well as in Great Britain, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. For all other countries such as z.B. In asian or african countries, however, you will need an international driver’s license.
International driving license
The international driver’s license no independent driving license but is only in connection with your driver’s license valid. It serves as a translation, so to speak, so that officials abroad can trace the driving license. After three years, the international driver’s license expires and must be reapplied for. This is usually done at the relevant citizenship office.
How long is the license valid?
While the "rag" used to be valid for an unlimited period of time, in driver’s licenses issued as of 2013 renewed every 15 years become. But don’t worry, the passed exam is still valid for an unlimited period of time and does not have to be repeated. Only the driver’s license card is exchanged, so that the data and the passport picture remain current. Drivers who obtained their driver’s license before 2013 must exchange it within a certain time limit. the exchange period depends on the year in which the license was issued. The changeover to the plastic card is to be completed by 2033 at the latest.
Exchange period for driver’s licenses before 2013
When the driver’s license is exchanged depends either on the year of birth of the driver or the date of issue.
For persons who obtained their driver’s license up to and including 31. December 1998 the year of birth rule applies to those who have received the license.
| before 1953 | 31. January 2033 |
| 1953-1958 | 31. January 2022 |
| 1959-1964 | 31. January 2023 |
| 1965-1970 | 31. January 2024 |
| 1971 or later | 31. January 2025 |
For people who received their driver’s license after the 31st day of the year. December 1998* have received, the year of issue rule applies.
| 1999-2001 | 31. January 2026 |
| 2002-2004 | 31. January 2027 |
| 2005-2007 | 31. January 2028 |
| 2008 | 31. January 2029 |
| 2009 | 31. january 2030 |
| 2010 | 31. January 2031 |
| 2011 | 31. January 2032 |
| 2012-18.01.2013 | 31. january 2033 |
*for drivers born before 1953, the conversion period is until 2033, regardless of when the driver’s license was issued
driver’s license class B: B96 and BE for trailers
The car driving license class is called class B and is automatically includes vehicle classes AM ("scooter driver’s license") and L (small tractors). Extensions form the trailer driving license classes B96 and BE.
Trailer regulation for B, B96 and BE
The normal car driver’s license of class B allows the towing of a trailer of up to 750 kilograms. The trailer may weigh more, as long as the total permissible mass of the trailer does not exceed a 3.5 tons exceeds.
The supplement B96 allows a total train weight of 4.25 tons and is often called "trailer driver’s license designates.
If you are interested in camping with a trailer, read also our article about towing a caravan!
If you want to go on vacation with a caravan, you need the B96 license supplement
If this is not enough, you have to take an additional exam for the driver’s license class BE lay down. Then you may enjoy a trailers of maximum 3.5 tons pull.
Tip: further important information can be found in our article trailer driver’s license!
Acquisition of driving licenses classes B96 and BE
For B96 will get a additional training in the form of 2.5 hours of theory as well as 3.5 hours of practice completed. A test is not provided for B96.
The requirements for obtaining the driving license class BE on the other hand, are somewhat more extensive:
- 3 interstate driving
- 1 night drive
- 1 freeway trip
- Additional practice hours for reversing, parking, city driving
- Examination from ca. 45 minutes
Used car leasing: leasing your first car at a reasonable price
The driver’s license is in your pocket and you can’t wait to go for your first ride? Then the only thing missing is the right car.
Many new drivers opt for a used car. There are good reasons for this, because a used car is usually much cheaper and is not subject to the rapid depreciation of a new car.