Probation period for new drivers: duration, rules and consequences of offences

How long does the probation period last?

With your first driving licence, a probation period (Probezeit) of two years begins (§ 2a StVG). With BF17 it begins when the test certificate is handed over – that is, at 17.

Classes AM, L and T are exempt. Anyone who extends from one of these classes to another class for the first time (e.g. from AM to B) then gets a probation period.

Zero alcohol and no cannabis

During the probation period and until your 21st birthday, an absolute alcohol ban applies to you when driving; stricter rules for cannabis also apply to new drivers (§ 24c StVG).

What happens in case of offences?

The authority responds in stages:

1. One serious offence or two less serious offences: You must attend a follow-up seminar (Aufbauseminar), and the probation period is extended by two years – to a total of four years.
2. Further offences: a written warning.
3. After that: withdrawal of the entitlement to drive (Fahrerlaubnis).

How a particular offence is classified is set by law. For individual cases, contact the driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) or a legal adviser – we do not give legal advice here.

BF17: driving without a companion

Anyone who drives with BF17 without a registered companion loses the entitlement to drive: it must be revoked. The probation rules, including a follow-up seminar, then apply to a new entitlement.

Moving here with an EU driving licence

The probation rules also apply to holders of an EU driving licence who move to Germany. The time they have already held their licence is credited.