Driving Instructor Exam; Applying for Certification

The driving instructor exam consists of a practical driving test, a subject knowledge exam with a written and an oral portion, and—for the BE driving instructor license class—a teaching demonstration each for theoretical and practical driving instruction. Passing the driving instructor exam is an essential requirement for obtaining a driving instructor license.
 

Requirements for admission to the practical driving test and the written exam for the Class BE driving instructor license:

• mental and physical fitness,
• there are no circumstances that would make the applicant appear unfit to work as a driving instructor,
• at least one completed vocational training program in a recognized teaching profession or equivalent prior education,
• Possession of a Class BE driver’s license (Note: additional required periods of holding a Class B license pursuant to Section 2(1)(7) of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG))
• Training as a driving instructor pursuant to Section 2(1), Sentence 1, No. 8 of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) has been commenced,
• the knowledge of the German language required to practice the profession.

Requirements for admission to the teaching demonstrations in theoretical and practical instruction for the Class BE driving instructor license:

• Candidate authorization pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) has been granted or is being granted concurrently.

The certificate from the driving instructor training center regarding the duration of the training completed must be submitted to the chairperson of the examination board.

Requirements for admission to the practical driving test and the subject knowledge test for the driving instructor license for Classes A, CE, and DE:

• An application for admission to the practical driving test and the theoretical knowledge test has been submitted,
• Class BE driving instructor license,
• mental and physical fitness,
• professional and pedagogical aptitude,
• there are no facts that would make the applicant appear unfit to work as a driving instructor,
• at least one completed vocational training program in a recognized trade or equivalent prior education (not required if the applicant already holds a Class BE driving instructor license),
• Possession of the driver’s license for which the driving instructor’s license is to be issued (Note: additional required periods of possession for Classes A2, CE, or D pursuant to § 2(1)(7) of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG)),
• Training as a driving instructor for the corresponding class pursuant to Section 2(1), Sentence 1, No. 8 of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) has been commenced,
• the knowledge of the German language required to practice the profession.

The application for admission to the exam must be submitted to the district administrative authority (district office or independent city). This authority also advises applicants and decides on admission to the exam.

An examination board has been established by the Government of Upper Bavaria to assess professional and pedagogical suitability as a driving instructor. It is responsible for administering the exams in accordance with the Driving Instructor Act if the applicant resides in Bavaria or if the driving instructor training center or driving school the applicant attends is located in Bavaria. It is also responsible for conducting teaching demonstrations if the driving school is located in Bavaria.

Admission is granted for both the practical driving test and the subject knowledge exam (written and oral sections), including any retests. Each applicant is automatically scheduled for the exams upon receiving this admission. For any necessary retakes of the theoretical examination, the applicant must register in writing with the Government of Upper Bavaria. In doing so, the respective registration deadline must be observed, as well as the maximum number of missed hours prior to taking the written theoretical examination.

Admission to the teaching demonstrations for Class BE must be applied for separately. In addition, the “Teaching Demonstration Form”—which the applicant receives from the Government of Upper Bavaria after passing the practical driving test and the theoretical knowledge test—must be completed and returned to the Government of Upper Bavaria. A date for the teaching demonstrations will not be scheduled until the admission and the form have been received.

Admission to the exam should be granted no later than 6 weeks before the scheduled exam dates. This also applies to the applicant’s submission of the “Teaching Demonstration Form” to the Government of Upper Bavaria.

Provisional instructor status is limited to two years (Section 9(1), sentence 4, FahrlG); the teaching demonstrations must be completed within this period.

The applicant must have completed driver-instructor training within the three years prior to the issuance of the driver-instructor license pursuant to § 7 of the Driver-Instructor Act (§ 2(1), sentence 1, no. 8 of the Driver-Instructor Act).

• Documents Required for Admission to the Practical Driving Test and the Knowledge Test for a Driving Instructor License for Classes A, CE, and DE
  
  • Class BE driver's license,
  • Identification document,
  • current, extended, official certificate of good conduct (must be requested from the municipality of residence),
  • Certificate of medical examination (must not be older than one year at the time of application) – not required if the applicant holds a driver’s license for Classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE,
  • Certificate of a medical examination of visual acuity (not older than one year at the time of application) – not required if the applicant holds a Class C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE driver’s license,
  • Possession of a driver’s license in the class for which the driving instructor’s license is to be issued (Note: Required periods of possession for Classes A2, CE, or D pursuant to Section 2(1)(7) of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG)).
• Documents Required for Admission to the Practical Driving Test and the Knowledge Test for the Class BE Driving Instructor License
  
  • Identification document,
  • resume,
  • current, extended, official certificate of good conduct (must be requested from the municipality of residence)
  • Certificate of medical examination (not older than one year at the time of application) – not required if the applicant holds a driver’s license in classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE and must demonstrate fitness every five years in accordance with Annex 5 of the FeV,
  • Certificate of a medical examination of visual acuity (not older than one year at the time of application) – not required if the applicant holds a driver’s license in classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE and must demonstrate compliance with the vision requirements specified in Appendix 6 of the FeV every five years,
  • at a minimum, proof of completion of vocational training in a recognized apprenticeship program or equivalent prior education,
  • Class BE driver’s license,
  • Certification that training to become a driving instructor has been commenced in accordance with § 2(1), sentence 1, no. 8 of the FahrlG.
• Documents required for admission to the practical and theoretical driving tests for the Class BE driver's license
  
  • Provisional instructor authorization pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) has been granted or is being granted at the same time,
  • Certificate from the officially recognized driving instructor training center regarding the duration of the training completed pursuant to § 7 of the FahrlG,
  • Certificate from the training driving school regarding the duration of the training completed in accordance with § 7 of the FahrlG.

   

The exam fees are:

• for the Class BE driving instructor license: 1,295.54 EUR
• for the Class A driving instructor license: 672.98 EUR
• for the Class CE driving instructor license: 735.48 EUR
• for the Class DE driving instructor license: 735.48 EUR

The fees include the costs for the members of the examination board—with the exception of out-of-pocket expenses.

The fee is also payable for parts of the examination that could not take place or be completed on the scheduled date through no fault of the examination board and without a sufficient excuse from the candidate.