Your path to a German driving licence: BF17

At 17 you can start accompanied driving (BF17); otherwise class B applies from 18. An exam on an automatic restricts you to automatics (key number 78) unless you complete B197 manual training.

Legal basis: § 10 FeV, § 48a FeV, § 5a FahrschAusbO, § 17a FeV, § 48a FeV

Compare prices (base fee, lesson, special drives, exam fees), location, languages and availability. Driving schools must publish a price list (§ 32 FahrlG).

• •Visual acuity of at least 0.7 (with or without glasses)
• •Certificate no older than 2 years when you apply

You need a visual acuity of at least 0.7 (with or without glasses). The certificate must be no older than 2 years when you apply. Many opticians offer the test; the price is no longer regulated.

Legal basis: § 12 FeV, Anlage 6

• •9 teaching units of 45 minutes
• •Certificate does not expire

A course of at least 9 teaching units of 45 minutes at a recognised provider. The certificate does not expire and usually is not needed again for an extension.

Legal basis: § 19 FeV

You need a current biometric photo and your ID card or passport. Berlin still requires a printed photo for the driving licence application.

• •Companion at least 30 years old
• •Held class B for at least 5 years
• •At most 1 point in the driver register (Fahreignungsregister)

Each companion must be at least 30, have held class B for 5+ years and have at most 1 point in the driver register. Parents/guardians must consent.

Legal basis: § 48a FeV

Apply at the licensing authority of your main residence — at the earliest 6 months before the minimum age (B: 17½, BF17: 16½). Many schools help; in Berlin also online via FAO.

Legal basis: § 21 Abs. 4 FeV

The authority checks the driver register and issues the exam order to the testing organisation. You must then pass the theory exam within 12 months.

Legal basis: § 22, § 22a FeV

• •12 double lessons of basic material + 2 class-specific double lessons (90 min each)
• •Attendance in person required

Class B currently requires at least 12 double lessons of basic material and 2 class-specific double lessons (90 minutes each) in person, max. 2 per day.

Legal basis: § 4 FahrschAusbO, Anlage 2.8

Practise with the official question catalogue in a learning app. Many schools provide a licence. We compare apps neutrally and do not offer questions ourselves.

• •30 questions, max. 10 error points
• •Retake usually no earlier than 14 days later
• •Available in German and 12 other languages (incl. English)
• •You must then pass the practical exam within 12 months

30 questions on a computer, max. 10 error points. Earliest 3 months before the minimum age. Available in German and 12 foreign languages. Retake usually after 2 weeks at the earliest.

Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 1, § 16 Abs. 3 FeV, § 18 Abs. 1 FeV, § 18 Abs. 2, § 22 Abs. 5 FeV

There is no legal minimum number of regular lessons; the instructor decides. On average around 35 lessons including the 12 special drives are taken (BASt).

• •5 × rural road, 4 × motorway, 3 × night (45 min each)

Required for class B: 5 rural-road, 4 motorway and 3 night drives of 45 minutes each — 9 hours in total.

Legal basis: Anlage 4 FahrschAusbO

• •At least 55 min, of which 30 min of driving
• •Retake usually no earlier than 14 days later

At least 55 minutes with at least 30 minutes of driving. Earliest 1 month before the minimum age and within 12 months after passing theory.

Legal basis: FeV Anlage 7 Nr. 2.3, § 17 Abs. 1 FeV, § 18 Abs. 1 FeV

• •Valid in Germany until 3 months after your 18th birthday

Instead of a licence card you get a test certificate naming your companions. It is valid in Germany until 3 months after your 18th birthday.

Legal basis: § 48a FeV

Drive only with a named companion. Driving alone can lead to revocation. Your probation period has already started.

Legal basis: § 48a FeV

At 18 the accompaniment requirement ends. Make sure you get your card in time — the certificate is only valid until 3 months after your 18th birthday.

Legal basis: § 48a FeV

• •2-year probation period, zero alcohol at the wheel

Your first licence starts a 2-year probation period with zero tolerance for alcohol and cannabis. Serious violations lead to a course and extension to 4 years.

Legal basis: § 2a StVG