Apply for a License to Transport Passengers
Service description
If you transport passengers in a taxi, a rental car, an ambulance, a passenger bus, or other vehicles for a fee or as part of a business, you need a passenger transport license (FzF) in addition to your standard driver’s license.
A license to transport passengers is issued for a period of no more than five years and may be renewed upon application for up to five years at a time
A license to transport passengers is not required for
- Ambulances belonging to the German Armed Forces, the Federal Police, the police, as well as the military personnel and civilian support staff of the other signatory states of the North Atlantic Treaty,
- Civil defense ambulances, when used for that purpose,
- Ambulances operated by fire departments and emergency medical services recognized under state law,
- Motor vehicles, except for taxis, provided that the driver holds a Class D or D1 license.
Special information for the Fulda districtA passenger transport driver’s license (FzF) is required if you drive an ambulance and passengers are transported in that vehicle for compensation or for business purposes, or if you drive a motor vehicle in which passengers are transported and a permit under the Passenger Transportation Act is required for such transportation.
Procedure
- You must submit an application for a passenger transport driver's license to the appropriate driver's license authority and provide the necessary documents.
Please note that your request cannot be processed until all required documentation has been submitted.
- Furthermore, the transportation of passengers on public scheduled services (local and long-distance) as well as on sightseeing tours and trips to vacation destinations requires a permit under the Passenger Transportation Act (PBefG).
Competent Authority
Special information for the Fulda districtThe relevant driver's license authority (usually the one in your place of residence) is responsible.
Prerequisites
Special information for the Fulda districtGeneral Requirements
- Minimum age: 21 years old; 19 years old for ambulances
- Possession of an EU or EEA driver’s license, or a corresponding driver’s license from a country listed in Appendix 11 of the Driver’s License Regulation (FeV), for at least 2 years, or—if the driver’s license is restricted to ambulances—for at least 1 year; or possession within the last 5 years
- Only minor prior traffic and/or criminal convictions
A license to transport passengers is issued for a maximum of 5 years.
Therefore, please remember to apply for the renewal of your driver's license in a timely manner. You can renew your driver's license as early as 6 months before it expires without losing any validity period. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of this window.
What documents are required?
Special information for the Fulda districtRenewal of Classes C1, C1E, C, and CE:
- a valid (provisional) ID card or
- Valid passport with a certificate of residence (issued within the last 3 months)
- Driver's license
- 1 recent biometric photo (35 x 45 mm) taken within the last 6 months
- medical certificate (issued within the last year)
- Ophthalmological evaluation (no more than 2 years old)
- Possibly 5 modules in the original for entering the key number 95 (professional driver)
- Please contact the Driver's License Office to inquire about the administrative fee.
Renewal of Class D, D1, DE, and D1E Licenses:
- Application signed by the applicant (form available from the driver's license office)
- a valid (provisional) ID card or
- valid passport
- Driver's license
- 1 recent biometric photo (35 x 45 mm) taken within the last 6 months
- Current certificate of residence (no older than 3 months)
- Certificate of Good Conduct (issued within the last 3 months)
- medical certificate (issued within the last year)
- Ophthalmological evaluation (no more than 2 years old)
- Physical Examination (required only after turning 50; must be no more than 1 year old)
- Possibly 5 modules in the original for entering the key number 95 (professional driver)
- Please contact the Driver's License Office to inquire about the administrative fee.
What fees apply?
Special information for the Fulda districtThe fee is determined in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).
What deadlines do I have to observe?
A license to transport passengers is issued for a maximum period of 5 years. After that, it may be renewed upon application.
Processing time
Depending on the workload of the relevant driver's license authority.
Legal basis
- Section 48(5) of the Regulation on the Licensing of Persons to Drive on Public Roads (Driver’s License Regulation—FeV)
- § 21 Driver's License Regulation (FeV)
- Section 11, Paragraph 2 of the Driver's License Regulation
- § 12 Driver's License Regulation (FeV)
- Appendix 5 to Section 11(9) and Section 48(4) and (5) of the Regulation on the Authorization of Persons to Drive on Public Roads (Driver’s License Regulation—FeV)
- Appendix 6 to Sections 12, 48(4) and (5) of the Regulation on the Authorization of Persons to Drive on Public Roads (Driver’s License Regulation—FeV)
- Passenger Transportation Act (PBefG)
- Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt)
What else should I know?
Remarks
Furthermore, the transportation of passengers on public scheduled services (local and long-distance) as well as on sightseeing tours and trips to vacation destinations requires a permit under the Passenger Transportation Act (PBefG).
Special information for the Fulda districtSpecial Note
If you have a criminal record and/or a traffic violation on your record—for example, for driving without a license—you will also be required to submit a current certificate of good conduct (no older than 3 months). In addition, an assessment will be conducted to determine whether there are any grounds for concern regarding your fitness to drive. In such cases, you may be required to submit a medical-psychological evaluation.
If you suffer from a medical condition that impairs your ability to drive, this may also raise concerns regarding your fitness to drive. These concerns may need to be addressed by submitting the required medical evaluations.