Driving license; application for a driving license and extension of an existing driving license

If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, you need a driving license that entitles you to drive this vehicle. You can apply for a driver's license at your local driver's license authority in the district office or city. You can also submit the application to the local authority. The same applies if you already hold a driving license but wish to drive vehicles belonging to a different driving license category (extension).

When you apply for a driver's license, you must specify the driving school where you will be trained.

Theoretical and practical training will be provided by the driving school you have chosen, which will then present you for the driving test at the TÜV after the driving license authority has issued a test order. After taking and passing the test, which is usually divided into a theoretical and practical driving part, the driving license for the category(ies) applied for can be issued if all other requirements are met. The same applies to the extension of an existing driving license.

The application for a driver's license must be made in person, as your signature is required for the production of the driving license at the Federal Printing Office.

You will be issued a driving license for the relevant category if you

• have your normal place of residence in Germany,
• have reached the required minimum age,
• are qualified to drive motor vehicles,
• have been trained to drive motor vehicles in accordance with the Driving Instructors Act and the legal regulations based on it,
• have demonstrated their ability to drive motor vehicles in a theoretical and practical test,
• are able to provide first aid,
• do not hold a driving license in this category issued in a member state of the European Union or another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and
• are in possession of a different category of driver's license for certain license categories.

Further details are regulated in §§ 7 ff of the German Driving License Ordinance (FeV).

• Name of the driving school
• Copy of the index card of the issuing authority of the previous driver's license (if not the city of Erlangen)
  only for driving license extension
• Medical certificate (valid for 1 year)
  for driving license categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E
• Performance check and certificate of good conduct
  Additional documents for driving license classes D, DE, D1, D1E
• Basic qualification according to the BKrFQG
  For commercial use of the driving license in categories D, DE, D1, D1E
• Copy of the index card from the issuing authority
  If your previous driver's license was not issued in Erlangen. You will receive a copy of the file card from the authority that issued the driver's license upon request.

• valid identity card or passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Eye test certificate from an officially recognized eye test center or certificate from an ophthalmologist (not older than 2 years)
• Proof of participation in a first aid training course
• Additional documents are required for driving license categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E

It takes about 3 weeks to check the application and produce the driver's license. Registration for the test at the TÜV can only take place once all the necessary documents have been received. Your driving school will be informed of this.

Another deadline must be observed: The TÜV will return the test order to the driving license authority if

• the theory test is not passed within twelve months of receipt of the test order
• the practical test is not passed within twelve months of passing the theory test or
• in cases where no theory test is required, the practical test has not been passed within twelve months of receipt of the test order.