1. Driving School Registration
Register with a certified driving school (e.g., Fahrschule Oscar). You will receive your training contract.
German Class B Guide 2026
Apply for a German driving licence:Steps, costs and documents for 2026.
How to apply for a German Class B driving licence: driving school, documents, costs, deadlines, theory test and practical test.
The 5-Step Process
Your route to a German Class B driving licence.
2. Preparation
Complete the first-aid course (9 units), the eye test, and get biometric passport photos taken.
3. The Application
Submit the application to the driving licence authority (in Berlin, often via the Bürgeramt or online).
4. The Exam Order
After the authority processes your application, TÜV or DEKRA receives the exam order. This often takes 4 to 8 weeks but varies locally.
5. Theory & Practice
Pass the theory test within 12 months of the test centre receiving the exam order. After passing theory, you have another 12 months for the practical test.
What you really need
The official document checklist
- Valid ID card or Passport
- Recent biometric passport photo
- Certificate of first-aid course
- Eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
- Name of driving school & training contract
- If applicable: form for accompanied driving at 17 (BF17)
German driving licence application costs
Fixed fees and variable additional costs for Class B
- Authority Fee
- aprox. 45,00 € - 50,00 €
- TÜV Fee (Theory)
- aprox. 24,99 €
- TÜV Fee (Practical B)
- aprox. 129,83 €
- Additional Costs (Eye test, photos, first aid)
- varies
Note: First aid, eye tests, photos, driving-school base fees and lesson prices vary by provider and place of residence.
Use the waiting time to learn.
While your application is being processed, you can use DriveBase to practise theory and traffic situations interactively.
Keep practising with DriveBase Pro
- 60+ interactive exercises in the theory lessons
- Practise vehicle controls including signals, lights, and gears
- Vehicle-check questions for the start of the practical test
- All 7 Road Trip stages and the driving lesson logbook
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
DriveBase Pro complements theory classes and driving lessons with exercises you can repeat at your own pace. It does not replace lessons or preparation with your driving school.
Verified basis
Official sources for the application
Federal requirements come from the German Driving Licence Regulation. Fees, application routes and processing times can differ by place of residence.
Content reviewed on 1 August 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Processing often takes 4 to 8 weeks. It can be shorter or longer depending on the local driving licence authority and its workload.
From the technical test centre receiving the exam order, you have 12 months for theory and, after passing it, another 12 months for the practical test (FeV § 22(5)).
For a first driving licence, the probationary period generally lasts two years.