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Driving licence in Cologne

What you need to do where in Cologne, what it costs and who can help – with sources and check dates.

Data coverage for Cologne: basic data

For Cologne, we currently show the responsible authority, published fees, the test centre and driving school locations from OpenStreetMap. We are adding driving school prices, first-aid and eye-test providers step by step. The authority’s information is always binding.

Create your personal plan for Cologne

Responsible driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde)

You apply to the office for your main place of residence – at the earliest 6 months before the minimum age.

Stadt Köln

Stadt Köln – Führerscheinstelle in den Kundenzentren

Official source

Apply in any of the nine customer centres (Bürgerämter) or online.

Source: stadt-koeln.de · as of 05/10/2026

Everything about applying for a driving licence in Cologne →

Official fees

What does a driving licence cost in Cologne?

Total cost, class B

Estimate

€2,347 – €6,764

Probably around €3,863 – including official fees, 12 special drives, statistically expected re-takes, first aid and eye test. Driving school prices here are market ranges, not offers.

View the breakdown →Calculate with your own assumptions →

Exams

In Cologne, exams are conducted by TÜV Rheinland.

Fail rates, class B (North Rhine-Westphalia vs. Germany)

Share of failed exams 2025

Theory exam

North Rhine-Westphalia47.6%
Germany48.2%

Practical exam

North Rhine-Westphalia38.8%
Germany41.4%

Exams are counted, not people: anyone who sits an exam several times is counted several times. The figures apply to the whole federal state and say nothing about individual driving schools.

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

Test centres, appointments and rules →

Frequently asked questions about the driving licence in Cologne

Where do I apply for a driving licence in Cologne?

The driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) for your main place of residence is responsible – in Cologne: Stadt Köln – Führerscheinstelle in den Kundenzentren. You can apply at any of the city’s nine customer centres (citizens’ offices) or online.

Source: Authority service page

How much does a driving licence application cost in Cologne?

The authority lists €45.90 for the first issue of a class B licence. For BF17 it lists €53.60 (Antrag BF17 inkl. Prüfungsbescheinigung, ohne Begleitpersonen). As of 05/10/2026. Exam fees and the driving school’s costs come on top.

Source: Authority fee notice

Who conducts the driving test in Cologne?

The theory and practical tests are conducted by the technical inspection centre (Technische Prüfstelle): TÜV Rheinland. Your driving school arranges the date for the practical test.

How much do the exams at TÜV or DEKRA cost?

Uniform nationwide: €24.99 for the theory exam and €129.83 for the class B practical exam, each per attempt. On top of that comes your driving school’s exam presentation fee (Vorstellungsentgelt), which it sets itself.

Source: Fee schedule (GebOSt)

When can I apply?

At the earliest 6 months before the minimum age: from 17 years and 6 months for class B, from 16 years and 6 months for BF17.

Source: § 21 Abs. 4 FeV

How long does processing take in Cologne?

We have no information from the authority on processing time. Submit your application as early as possible – at the earliest 6 months before the minimum age.

In which languages can I take the theory exam?

In German, English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish, Turkish, Modern Standard Arabic. From 1 April 2027 also in Kurmanji and Ukrainian.

Source: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 1