Vehicle licences

First issue of driving license

If you want to drive a motor vehicle in Germany, you need a corresponding driving license.

Recognition of courses to restore fitness to drive

If you want to run courses to restore the fitness to drive of drivers who have committed alcohol or drug offences, you need to be recognised by the authority responsible under state law.

Extension of a temporary driving license

Driving licenses for categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E can be extended for five years at the request of the license holder.

Applying for the renewal of a category D, DE, D1 or D1E driving license

If you have a driver's license for a D class and it is about to expire, you can apply for an extension at the driver's license office.

Extension of a temporary driving license for categories C, CE, C1 or C1E

You can renew your driver's licenses for classes C, CE, C1, C1E for five 5-year periods upon application.

Driving license with limited period of validity Extension to categories D, D1, DE or D1E

If you want to drive buses, you must have your driver's license extended by class D, DE, D1 or D1E at the driver's license authority. These extended driving license classes are limited to 5 years.

Driving license with limited period of validity Extension to categories C, C1, CE or C1E

If you want to drive trucks, you must have your driver's license extended by class C, CE, C1 or C1E at the driver's license authority. These extended driving license classes are limited to 5 years.

Driver's license reinstatement

Issuing a driver's license after previous revocation by a court or authority.

Driver's license issuance

If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads in the Federal Republic of Germany, you usually need a driver's license or a test certificate.

Exchange old driver's license for a new one

If the validity of your driving license has expired, you must apply for a new one. Old paper and card driving licenses will gradually lose their validity from 2022 and must be replaced by the European Union's standard card driving license.

Have your expired driver's license reissued

If the validity of your driving license is about to expire or has expired, you must apply for a new driving license.

Issuing a driving license for passenger transport

In order to transport passengers against payment, a driver's license for passenger transport (FzF) is required.

Applying for a new driving license due to theft, illegibility or loss

If your driver's license has been stolen, defaced or destroyed, you must have a new driver's license issued.

Extension of a driving license by a further driving license category

Holders of a driving licence may, on application, extend it to include a further driving licence (class).

New driving license

If your driver's license has been revoked, you can apply for a new one after the expiry of any period of suspension.

Driving license for categories B and BE for accompanied driving from the age of 17

If you take part in "accompanied driving from 17", you can drive a category B and BE vehicle in Germany before your 18th birthday under certain conditions. In this case, you must always be accompanied by a previously appointed and suitable person.

Driving license extension of category B by the key number 96 or 196

If you want to drive your vehicle with trailer over 750 kilograms, you need an extension of class B by the key number 96. If you want to drive light motorcycles up to 125 cm³ without a motorcycle license, you need an extension by the key number 196.

Apply for a driving license for categories AM, A, A1, A2 or A

You can apply for a class AM, A1, A2 or A driver's license.

Driving license extension for existing category A1 or A2 to the next higher category (upgrade)

If you are in possession of the driving license classes A1 or A2, you can extend them to the next higher class under certain conditions.

Driving license issued for the first time for category B

If you want to drive a passenger car up to 3,500 kilograms, you must apply for a class B driver's license.

Driving license Extension of category B to include trailer category E

If you have a class B driver's license, you can extend it to include trailer class E.

Driving license extension for categories AM, A1, A2 or A

You can have your existing driver's license upgraded to a Class AM, A1, A2 or A driver's license.

Driving license issued for the first time for category T

If you want to drive more powerful motor vehicles in agriculture, you must apply for the class T driver's license, the "large tractor driver's license".

Driving license extension to category B

If you already have a driver's license, you can upgrade it to a Class B driver's license.

Driving license extension to category L

You can extend your driver's license by the driver's license class L.

Driving license issued for the first time for category L

If you want to drive simple motor vehicles in agriculture, you must apply for the class L driver's license (the "small tractor driver's license").

Driving license extension to category T

The class T driver's license, colloquially known as the "large tractor driver's license," allows you to drive more powerful vehicles in agriculture and forestry.

Driving license transfer from the EU and the EEA

Do you have a driving license from a country of the European Union or the European Economic Area and have moved to Germany? Then you must have your driver's license transferred if it is due for renewal.

Driving license extension for accompanied driving from the age of 17 for category B

If you have a driving license, you can apply for an extension of this license for categories B and BE as part of "accompanied driving from 17". When driving before your 18th birthday, you must always be accompanied by a previously appointed and suitable person.

Apply for an international driving license

In certain countries, you need an international driving license in addition to your national driving license in order to prove your driving license.

Apply for a driver card for commercial transport or goods transport and passenger transport as a replacement

You are a driver of trucks or buses and need to have your driver card replaced due to theft or loss.

Driver qualification certificate (FQN) Issue

As a professional driver, you will need a Driver Qualification Certificate (FQN) in addition to your driver's license as of May 23, 2021.

Acquiring and renewing a driving licence

If you want to acquire or extend your driving licence, or have your non-EU driving licence recognised, you will find the most important information here.

Driver's license Transfer of a service driver's license

If you have acquired a service driver's license as part of your work for the police, armed forces or federal police, you can have this converted into a general driver's license.

Moped test certificate copy

If you want to ride a moped on public roads, you need a moped test certificate.

Driver's license transfer

Driver's license transfer from third countries outside the EU or EEA

Do you have a driving license from a third country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area and have moved to Germany? Then you need to have your driving license transferred.