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B197 – automatic exam with manual entitlement

Take the exam in an automatic but keep the right to drive manual: at least 10 manual lessons plus a 15-minute test drive (key number 197).

You mostly learn in an automatic and take the exam in an automatic – but may drive manual cars afterwards.

Official sourceCurrent law, checked on 05/10/2026
Minimum age
18 years (with BF17: 17)
Manual training
at least 10 × 45 min
Test drive
at least 15 min
Exam
in an automatic
Without manual certificate
key number 78
Entry of 197
within 1 year of training
Create your personal planCalculate costs

How key number 197 works

If you take the practical exam in an automatic, key number 78 is normally entered and you may then only drive automatics (§ 17a (1) FeV).

B197 avoids that: you take at least 10 lessons of 45 minutes in a manual car and a test drive of at least 15 minutes in and outside built-up areas. The driving school certifies this (Schaltnachweis). When you present the certificate, key number 197 is entered instead of 78 (§ 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV).

The exam itself is taken in an automatic – there is no extra exam in a manual car. B197 can also be combined with BF17.

Key number 197 must be entered within one year of completing the manual training (§ 17a (4) FeV).

Watch out with later extensions: if you take the exam for BE or C1 in an automatic, key number 78 applies to those classes. Entering key number 197 later costs €28.60 at the authority (GebOSt no. 216), plus possible costs for exchanging the licence card.

Legal basis: § 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV

Requirements

These rules apply across Germany. Each with its legal basis.

  • Minimum age for class B

    Official source

    Class B from the age of 18.

    Legal basis: § 10 FeV, § 48a FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Apply no earlier than 6 months before the minimum age

    Official source

    The application can be submitted at the earliest six months before you reach the minimum age.

    Legal basis: § 21 Abs. 4 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Visual acuity of at least 0.7

    Official source

    Central daytime visual acuity of at least 0.7 (with or without glasses or lenses).

    Legal basis: § 12 FeV, Anlage 6 · as of 05/10/2026

  • Eye-test certificate no older than 2 years

    Official source

    The eye-test certificate must not be older than two years when you apply.

    Legal basis: § 12 FeV, Anlage 6 · as of 05/10/2026

  • First-aid training: 9 teaching units

    Official source

    At least 9 teaching units of 45 minutes at an officially recognised provider; the certificate does not expire.

    Legal basis: § 19 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Basic material: 12 double lessons

    Official source

    At least 12 double lessons of 90 minutes of basic material (6 if you already hold another licence class).

    Legal basis: § 4 FahrschAusbO, Anlage 2.8 · as of 05/10/2026

  • Class B material: 2 double lessons

    Official source

    At least 2 double lessons of class-specific material.

    Legal basis: § 4 FahrschAusbO, Anlage 2.8 · as of 05/10/2026

  • Theory exam: 30 questions, max. 10 error points

    Official source

    Two wrongly answered 5-point questions mean you fail.

    Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 1 · as of 05/10/2026

  • Theory exam no earlier than 3 months before the minimum age

    Official source

    The theory exam may be taken at the earliest three months before you reach the minimum age.

    Legal basis: § 16 Abs. 3 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Retake usually after 2 weeks at the earliest

    Official source

    A failed exam may usually be retaken no earlier than two weeks later.

    Legal basis: § 18 Abs. 1 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Practical exam within 12 months of the theory exam

    Official source

    You must pass the practical exam within 12 months of passing the theory exam, otherwise the theory result expires.

    Legal basis: § 18 Abs. 2, § 22 Abs. 5 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Special drives: 5 rural road, 4 motorway, 3 night

    Official source

    45 minutes each, 12 units in total.

    Legal basis: Anlage 4 FahrschAusbO · as of 05/10/2026

  • Practical exam at least 55 minutes

    Official source

    At least 55 minutes in total, including at least 30 minutes of actual driving.

    Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 2.3 · as of 05/10/2026

  • Practical exam no earlier than 1 month before the minimum age

    Official source

    The practical exam may be taken at the earliest one month before you reach the minimum age.

    Legal basis: § 17 Abs. 1 FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • B197: 10 manual lessons + 15-minute test drive

    Official source

    At least 10 lessons of 45 minutes in a manual car and a test drive of at least 15 minutes.

    Legal basis: § 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV · as of 05/10/2026

  • Probation period of 2 years

    Official source

    Your first driving licence starts a probation period of two years.

    Legal basis: § 2a StVG · as of 05/10/2026

The process in 16 steps

The order most learners follow. The full process page has the details of each step.

Process in detail →

What does it cost?

Example calculation for Germany

Estimate
low
€2,894
likely
€4,500
high
€7,548

Using Germany-wide market ranges, statistically expected exam attempts and official fees. Your costs depend on your school and your progress.

Calculate costs →How the costs add up →

Exam statistics

Theory

48.2%

Practical

41.4%

Share of failed exams in 2025, Germany-wide. Counts exams, not people. B197 is not reported separately; figures for class B.

Source: Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, FE 7 (dl-de/by-2-0)

Planned reform Draft – not in force

Planned (draft, not in force): instead of 10 × 45 minutes, at least 7 hours of 60 minutes of manual training, mostly allowed on a simulator, plus a check drive of at least 15 minutes. Old certificates are to remain valid until 31 December 2028.

Status of the 2027 reform →

Frequently asked questions

What does B197 mean?

B197 is a class B licence where the practical exam is taken in an automatic. Thanks to additional manual training at the driving school, key number 197 is entered – so you may also drive manual cars (§ 17a FeV).

How many manual lessons do I need?

At least 10 lessons of 45 minutes in a car with a manual gearbox and a test drive of at least 15 minutes (§ 5a FahrschAusbO).

Do I need to take an exam in a manual car?

No. The practical exam is taken in an automatic; you present the driving school's manual-training certificate.

What is the difference between key numbers 78 and 197?

Key number 78 restricts you to automatic cars. Key number 197 means: exam in an automatic, but with certified manual training – manual cars are allowed.

Can I add B197 later?

Yes. If you already have key number 78, you can have it lifted with the same manual training and certificate (licence exchange) or with a practical exam in a manual car (§ 17a (2) FeV).

What does B197 cost on top?

You pay the manual lessons at your driving school, which sets its own prices. The fee for entering key number 197 later is fixed by law (€28.60, GebOSt no. 216).

How long is the practical exam?

At least 55 minutes, including at least 30 minutes of actual driving and basic manoeuvres (FeV Annex 7).

What do the exams for class B cost?

Exam fees are fixed by law: €24.99 for the theory exam and €129.83 for the practical exam – per attempt (GebOSt, incl. VAT). On top of that, your driving school charges its own fee for presenting you at each exam.

What happens if I fail?

You can usually retake the exam after 2 weeks at the earliest (§ 18 FeV), and the exam fee is charged again. In 2025, 48.2% of theory exams and 41.4% of practical exams for class B were failed across Germany (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt; counts exams, not people).

Sources

Legal bases and data this page is built on.

Legal basis: § 10 FeV, § 48a FeV, § 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV, § 48a FeV, § 12 FeV, Anlage 6, § 19 FeV, § 21 Abs. 4 FeV, § 22, § 22a FeV, § 4 FahrschAusbO, Anlage 2.8, FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 1, § 16 Abs. 3 FeV, § 18 Abs. 1 FeV, § 18 Abs. 2, § 22 Abs. 5 FeV, Anlage 4 FahrschAusbO, FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 2.3, § 17 Abs. 1 FeV, § 2a StVG

Source: GebOSt (fee schedule for road traffic measures) · as of 05/10/2026

Not legal advice. Your licensing authority's information is binding.