Changing driving school: what to bear in mind

Is it possible at all?

Yes. You are not tied to your first driving school. However, because your driving school is named in your application to the driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) (§ 21 Abs. 1 FeV), you must report the change there.

What do you report to the authority?

• The change of driving school as an amendment to your pending application.
• A fee applies: in Berlin, each change to an open application costs €12.80; Dortmund states the same amount for changing the exam order (Prüfauftrag).
• Ask your authority which documents it needs for this.

Berlin: You can no longer change the test centre (TÜV Rheinland or DEKRA) once you have received your exam admission (Prüfungszulassung). According to the LABO, a change to a test centre outside Berlin is possible for a fee, with proof (e.g. work, school or studies).

What do you settle with the driving schools?

The driving licence regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) does not regulate what happens to amounts you have already paid – that is set out in your training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag).

• Check which termination rules apply and whether the base fee (Grundbetrag) is refunded pro rata.
• Ask your current driving school to give you in writing which parts of the training it has documented (e.g. theory lessons attended and special drives).
• Clarify beforehand with the new driving school how it will handle these parts of the training and what else you will still need there. In the end, the driving school that registers you for the exam confirms that the training has been completed.

If there is a dispute about money, a consumer advice centre can help – we cannot give legal advice on this.

The deadlines keep running

A change does not stop the deadlines: you must pass the theory exam within 12 months of the exam order, and the practical exam within 12 months of the theory exam.

Choosing the new driving school well

• Compare the complete price list: base fee, driving lesson, special drives, presentation fee for the theory exam and for the practical exam. Every driving school must state these items (§ 32 FahrlG).
• Ask about available capacity for driving lessons and exam appointments.
• Use our driving school directory – the order there cannot be bought.