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Driving test in Cologne

Who examines, how the tests work and what an attempt costs.

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.

Test centres

Your driving school arranges the practical test date with the test centre.

TÜV Rheinland

TÜV Rheinland – Technische Prüfstelle (Köln)

Official source

In North Rhine-Westphalia, TÜV Rheinland carries out tests in the Rhineland, and TÜV NORD in Westphalia and the Ruhr area. For Cologne, the city confirms TÜV as the test centre.

  • TÜV Rheinland Köln-Bilderstöckchen (Theorieprüfung)

    Robert-Perthel-Str. 28, Köln

  • TÜV Rheinland Köln-Mülheim (Theorieprüfung)

    Frankfurter Str. 200, Köln

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

Theory exam

  • 30 questions on a computer, at most 10 error points. Two wrongly answered 5-point questions mean a fail.
  • If you already hold another class: 20 questions, at most 6 error points.
  • At the earliest 3 months before the minimum age; you need confirmation from your driving school that you have completed the theory lessons.
  • Languages: German, English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish, Turkish, Modern Standard Arabic.
  • After a fail, a re-take is usually possible after 14 days at the earliest.

Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 1, § 18 Abs. 1 FeV

Practical exam, class B

  • At least 55 minutes, of which at least 30 minutes of actual driving, including basic driving tasks.
  • At the earliest 1 month before the minimum age and within 12 months of passing the theory exam.
  • Taking the test in an automatic: without B197 training, the licence is valid for automatic cars only (code 78, Schlüsselzahl).

Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 2.3, § 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV

Planned reform (draft – not yet in force)

From 1 July 2027 the draft provides for a shorter practical exam (40 minutes) and changed theory scoring. See the reform status

Exam fees per attempt

In addition, the driving school charges its own fee for presenting you for the exam.

Fail rates

Class B

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

BF17

Share of failed exams 2025

Theory exam

North Rhine-Westphalia34.2%
Germany33.3%

Practical exam

North Rhine-Westphalia22.4%
Germany24.0%

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