Apply for a Driver's License
Service description
Anyone who wants to drive a motor vehicle in Germany needs a driver's license. The driver's license serves as proof of possession of the appropriate driving privileges, which are recorded on the license.
You can apply for a permanent driver's license in categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, L, and T.
The first driver's license, with the exception of Class AM, L, and T licenses, is issued on a probationary basis. The probationary period lasts two years.
Special information for the Fulda districtYou should apply for your first driver’s license if you do not yet hold one. You can obtain the necessary application forms either from us or from driving schools in the Fulda district. The general requirements for obtaining a driver’s license are:
- Permanent residence in the Federal Republic of Germany
- No prior ownership of the class applied for
- Meeting the statutory minimum age requirement
Procedure
You must submit an application to the appropriate driver's license authority to obtain the relevant driver's license class.
Prerequisites
- You must have your primary residence in the Federal Republic of Germany
- You must be at least the required age
- You must be qualified to drive motor vehicles
- They must have been trained to drive motor vehicles in accordance with the Driving Instructor Act and the regulations based on it
- You must have demonstrated your ability to operate motor vehicles by passing a written and a practical test
- You must be able to provide first aid and provide the required proof of this
- You must meet the vision requirements and provide proof of them
- You may not hold a driver's license of this class issued in a Member State of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area
- The additional requirements depend on the class of driver's license applied for
Special information for the Fulda districtLegal Minimum Age
- For Class AM: 15 years
- For classes A1, L, and T: 16 years old
- For Class A2: 18 years old
- For Class A: 24 years of age, or 21 years of age for three-wheeled vehicles with a power output of more than 15 kW
- For Class B and BE licenses: 18 years of age, or 17 years of age for accompanied driving starting at age 17
What documents are required?
Special information for the Fulda district- a recent biometric photo taken within the last 6 months
- Driver's license application with confirmation from the Residents' Registration Office of your local city or municipal administration, issued no more than 3 months ago
- A valid ID card, passport, passport substitute, or—for foreign documents—a passport with a residence permit
; for minor applicants, a valid ID card, passport, passport substitute, or—for foreign documents—a passport with a residence permit - Proof of First Aid Training
- Eye exam in accordance with Appendix 6, No. 1.1 of the FeV (no more than 2 years old)
- Name and Address of the Driving School
You must always bring the original, complete set of documents.
What fees apply?
The fee is determined in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).
What deadlines do I have to observe?
An application for an initial driver's license expires if the written test is not passed within twelve months of receipt of the test request, or if the driving test is not passed within twelve months of passing the written test.
Processing time
The processing time depends on the workload of the relevant driver's license authority.
Legal basis
What else should I know?
Remarks
Special information for the Fulda districtIf 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 before you can take the necessary tests.
Applications / Forms
- Application for an Intensive/Compact Course - § 17(3) FeV (PDF Application)
- Changing Driving Schools - Driver's License (PDF Application)
- Guidelines for Class B License Applicants with Automatic Transmission - Dual-Class Declaration (PDF Application)
- Guidelines for Applicants Seeking Multiple Driver's License Classes - Dual-Class Declaration (PDF Application)