Initial Issuance, Extension, and Accompanied Driving from the Age of 17
The first step to obtaining a driver's license is through a driving school of your choice.
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
The application for initial issuance, extension, or accompanied driving from the age of 17 must be submitted through the citizen service of the city or municipal administration responsible for your main residence. Often, all formalities are handled by the driving school.
After submitting all documents and paying the fee, the application is sent to the test center along with the driving license.
The driving license is usually handed over by the examiner after passing the test. If collection at the road traffic office is required, this can also be done by an authorized person with a power of attorney.
The documents to be submitted depend on the driving license class being applied for.
Classes A, A1, B, BE, M, and L:
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Application
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Valid official identification document
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Recent biometric passport photo
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Eye test certificate (no older than 2 years)
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Proof of first aid training in accordance with § 19 Abs. 1 Driver's License Ordinance
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Class B: if applicable, 'manual transmission competency certificate' for training in a manual car
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For accompanied driving from age 17, additionally Annex 1 and Annex 2 for accompanied driving (see download area)
Classes C1, C1E, C, CE, T, D1, D1E, D, and DE:
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Application
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Valid official identification document
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Recent biometric passport photo
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Proof of first aid training in accordance with § 19 Abs. 1 Driver's License Ordinance
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Certificate of an ophthalmological examination as per Annex 6 No. 2 FeV (no older than 2 years)
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Certificate of a medical examination (e.g., by a traffic or occupational physician) as per Annex 5 No. 1 FeV (no older than 1 year)
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For D classes: Certificate of conduct under category O (apply directly at the city/municipality administration for transmission to the authority; valid for a maximum of 3 months)
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For classes D1 and D: if applicable, functional and performance test
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Proof of basic qualification under the Professional Driver Qualification Act
Important: Applications can be submitted no earlier than six months before reaching the minimum age.
The decision regarding suitability or unsuitability for the respective driver's license classes and any necessary further measures (e.g., medical assessments) lies with the driver's license authorities. As part of the medical examination according to Annex 5 FeV, the doctor is required to report the medical findings from the screening examination conducted by them to the authority.
A certificate according to Annex 5 FeV is valid for 1 year, while a certificate according to Annex 6 FeV is valid for 2 years.
The medical examination according to Annex 5 FeV can be conducted by occupational or company doctors, doctors of an assessment center for driving aptitude, health department doctors or other authorities, as well as general practitioners (general medicine/internal medicine).
The function and performance test according to Annex 5 No. 2 FeV can be conducted by occupational or company doctors as well as by an officially recognized assessment center for driving aptitude.
The examination of visual ability according to Annex 6 FeV can be conducted by ophthalmologists, occupational or company doctors, doctors of an assessment center, as well as the health department or other authorities.
Notes from the Health Department of the Oberberg District:
The aforementioned examinations are conducted at the Health Department of the Oberberg District every 2nd Wednesday morning between 09:00 AM and 1:00 PM exclusively by prior phone appointment at 02261 88-5305.
If there are health restrictions, the Health Department advises that relevant medical documents should be brought to the examination. Usually, a rapid urine test is conducted, but no blood test is performed.
Regarding the examination of visual ability, the Health Department advises that an optimally adjusted visual aid (glasses or contact lenses) should be available. It should be noted that corrective lenses with more than +8.0 diopters (spherical equivalent) are not permitted. Intraocular lenses or contact lenses, however, are allowed.
If the requirements for vision with or without visual aids are not met, a paid re-assessment by an ophthalmological examination center is usually required!
Accompanied driving from the age of 17 allows novice drivers to operate motor vehicles of classes B and BE with a registered accompanying person after passing the theoretical and practical driving test, starting at the age of 17.
The procedure basically corresponds to the regular application for a driving license of classes B and BE. Additionally, information about the applicant, the legal representatives, and the designated accompanying persons is required (see the download section for Accompanied Driving from 17, Annex 1 and 2).
Responsibilities of the accompanying person
The accompanying person has the status of a passenger. They do not have any special tasks and, in particular, do not take on a training role.
They should exert a moderating influence on the novice driver, act as a contact person, and provide advice. The responsible vehicle operator is the novice driver, who gains driving experience and competence.
Requirements for accompanying persons
The designated accompanying person must:
- be at least 30 years old,
- have held a valid driving license of class B or class 3 (old) for at least 5 years,
- have no more than 1 point in the driving suitability register in Flensburg.
Additionally, a written declaration of consent is required. The accompanying person must agree that information may be obtained from the central driving license register and the driving suitability register.
Furthermore, they must acknowledge the special personal requirements while driving and confirm this in writing.
It is important to note that the accompanying person may not accompany the novice driver if
- they do not carry their class B or class 3 (old) driving license,
- they have 0.25 mg/l or more alcohol in their breath or 0.5 per mille or more alcohol in their blood, or an amount of alcohol in their body leading to such breath or blood alcohol concentration,
- they are under the influence of intoxicating substances listed in the annex to § 24a of the Road Traffic Act. This does not apply if the substance originates from the intended use of a medication prescribed for a specific illness.
The Road Traffic Office emphasizes here that alcohol and drugs have no place in road traffic and thus appeals to accompanying persons to fulfill their special role model function. The consequences of misconduct by the accompanying person must be borne by the novice driver.
These consequences include, in particular, the revocation of the driving license and mandatory participation in a novice driver seminar within three months (cost: approximately €450.00).
A previously pre-ordered Class B driving license cannot be handed over by the TÜV examiner after passing the B automatic test.
An appointment must be scheduled with the driving license authority.
After passing the test and obtaining the B 197 certification from the driving school, the personal appearance of the applicant is required at the appointment.
Please bring the following documents to the scheduled appointment:
- Identity card
- Original B 197 certification from the driving school
- Original test confirmation from TÜV for the passed automatic test
- Any previously acquired driving license document for another class
The administrative fee for entering the key number B 197, issuing a temporary driving authorization, and ordering a new driving license is approximately €50.00.
