Car licence, category B
Getting your licence in Germany
Theory questions30
Pass mark (see scoring below)≤10 error points
Time for theory (most take 30–45 min)No fixed limit
Theory exam fee (TÜV/DEKRA)€24.99
Driving exam fee (TÜV/DEKRA, varies by region)~€130
Driving exam length55 min
In 2024, 37% failed the practical test and 45% failed the theory test (TÜV association).
How the scoring works
Each question carries 2 to 5 points, depending on how important it is for safety. Every wrong answer adds its points to your error total, and you pass with 10 or fewer. So it isn't a fixed number of correct answers: 2 small mistakes (3 + 2) pass, but 3 mistakes worth 4 points (12) fail. One extra rule: getting 2 5-point questions wrong is always a fail, even though that's exactly 10.
Before you start driving
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Learner permitThere's no separate learner permit card. Instead, you apply for your licence at the local driving licence office (Führerscheinstelle) through your driving school, and all lessons happen with the school. Practising with family or friends isn't allowed. The exception is accompanied driving from 17 (BF17), after you've passed.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam for a car licence. You need an eye test certificate from an optician or eye doctor (no older than 2 years). A full medical is only for truck and bus licences, or if there are health concerns.
First aid courseRequired for every applicant: a one-day course (about €40), taken in person. Online courses aren't accepted.
Required lessons
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Theory14 double lessons of 90 minutes: 12 general and 2 specific to category B.
Special drives (Sonderfahrten)12 lessons of 45 minutes: 5 on rural roads, 4 on the motorway and 3 at night or dusk.
Normal driving lessonsNo fixed minimum. Your instructor decides when you're ready; most learners need around 30–40 lessons.
Good to know
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Minimum age18. From 17 with accompanied driving (BF17), with a named adult in the car until you turn 18. You can sit theory up to 3 months, and the practical up to 1 month, before the minimum age.
Licence validityThe card is valid for 15 years. Your right to drive doesn't expire: you just renew the card.
Exam languagesTheory in German or 12 other languages: English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic. The practical exam is in German.
If you failWait at least 14 days before retaking. There's no limit on attempts, but you must pass the practical test within 12 months of passing theory.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatics (code 78), unless you also do at least 10 hours of manual driving lessons and a test drive with your school (code 197).
New driversA 2-year probation period. Zero alcohol for new drivers and anyone under 21. Serious offences mean a mandatory seminar and probation extended to 4 years.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. From another country you can drive on it for 6 months after moving. Licences from Annex 11 countries are exchanged with paperwork only. Others need the theory and practical tests through a driving school, but with no required lessons. You still need an eye test and an in-person first aid course.
Also worth knowing
- Many questions have more than one correct answer. You must tick all correct ones to get the question right.
- The ministry puts the average cost of a car licence at around €3,400 (2026).
- A reform approved by the federal cabinet in May 2026, not yet in force, would make theory classes optional (apps allowed), drop the fixed number of special drives and cut the driving part of the exam to 25 minutes. It could start in early 2027.
Step by step
- Eye test, first aid, driving schoolDo the eye test and first aid course, and enrol at a Fahrschule.
- Apply for the licenceSubmit the application at the Führerscheinstelle with your photo, eye test, first aid proof and the school's confirmation. Processing can take weeks, so do it early.
- Theory lessonsAt least 14 theory sessions at the school.
- Theory exam at TÜV or DEKRA30 multiple-choice questions (20 general, 10 for category B), scored with error points. See how scoring works above.
- Practical lessonsIncluding 12 special drives (Sonderfahrten): motorway, night and country roads.
- Practical examOn real roads with a TÜV or DEKRA examiner, within 12 months of passing theory.
Tips From driving schools and examiners
- Junctions are where most candidates fail, according to TÜV SÜD. Practise right-before-left junctions until you never miss one.
- Stop fully at stop signs. Rolling over the line ends the test.
- At a red light with a green arrow sign (a small metal sign with a green arrow on black, not a lit arrow), stop fully at the line first, then turn right only if it's clear. Many experienced drivers skip the stop, so don't copy them.
- Park the way you practised. Nervous candidates often switch to a method they've never tried.
- Know the "no motor vehicles" sign (a red circle showing a car and a motorbike) with the plate "Anlieger frei" (access only). Only drive in if you have a reason to be on that street, such as living there or visiting someone. Using it as a shortcut fails the test.
Based on: echo24: The most common mistakes in the driving test (TÜV SÜD and a driving instructor, German) ↗