Applying for a driving licence in Cologne

• You can apply at any of the city’s nine customer centres (citizens’ offices) or online.

  Source: stadt-koeln.de – first-time driving licence · as of 05/10/2026

At the earliest 6 months before the minimum age: from 17½ for class B, from 16½ for BF17. After that you must pass the theory exam within 12 months and the practical exam within 12 months of the theory exam.

Legal basis: § 21 Abs. 4 FeV, § 22 Abs. 5 FeV

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• ID card or passport

• A current biometric passport photo

• Apply at the earliest 6 months before the minimum age

  The application may be submitted no earlier than six months before you reach the minimum age.

  Legal basis: § 21 Abs. 4 FeV

• Visual acuity of at least 0.7

  Central daytime visual acuity of at least 0.7 (with or without a visual aid).

  Legal basis: § 12 FeV, Anlage 6

• Eye-test certificate no more than 2 years old

  The eye-test certificate (Sehtestbescheinigung) must be no more than two years old when you apply.

  Legal basis: § 12 FeV, Anlage 6

• First-aid course: 9 teaching units

  At least 9 teaching units of 45 minutes at an officially recognised body; no expiry date.

  Legal basis: § 19 FeV

• Companion at least 30 years old

  Companions must be at least 30 years old, have held class B for 5 years and may have at most 1 point.

  Legal basis: § 48a FeV

• Name and address of your driving school

  The driving school must be stated on the application (§ 21 Abs. 1 FeV).

First aid and eye test in Cologne: course providers · eye-test providers