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This guide explains how to get a driving licence in Germany, step by step: from registering, through the theory test, to the practical test, with everything you need to be properly prepared.
What this guide covers:
- Registering for the exams – when you can book, and what your options are if you fail
- The theory exam – structure, allowed error points, and how it runs
- The practical test – duration, the test route, and the questions you may be asked
- The role of your instructor – who is in the car during the test, and what each person does
Registering for the exams
Your instructor plays a central role in deciding when you are ready to be examined (prüfungsreif).
The theory exam
- When can you register? Only after you have completed the compulsory lessons at your driving school and your instructor or the school gives you the go-ahead. You also need the examination order (Prüfauftrag) from the responsible licensing authority.
- What happens if you fail? Under § 17 (2) FeV you must wait at least two weeks before retaking the exam.
The practical test
- When can you register? Only after you have passed the theory exam. Your instructor assesses whether you are genuinely ready for the road and handles the booking with TÜV or DEKRA.
- What happens if you fail? The minimum waiting period is again two weeks (§ 17 (3) FeV). Your theory pass remains valid for 12 months, and the practical test must be passed within that time.
- Are extra lessons required? There is no legally fixed minimum, but your instructor decides. Under § 5 FahrschAusbO they must make sure you have all the necessary skills. In practice this usually means 2–4 additional driving lessons to correct your mistakes before you are rebooked.
- Validity and retakes: the examination order submitted to the authorities is generally valid for up to two years, and you must pass the theory exam within that period. The examination order is the precondition for sitting both exams.
The good news: you can retake the practical test as often as you need, as long as you stay within the deadlines and pay the fee for each new attempt. - Costs: the practical test costs between €300 and €500, including the TÜV or DEKRA fee. If you fail, you pay the exam fee again, plus the extra lessons.
You will find more on costs in our article on what a driving licence costs in Germany.
The theory exam
Here are the essentials: exam format, language, number of questions and the rules for passing.
- Exam format: the questionnaire is computer-based and modern. As well as standard questions, it includes video questions, where you watch a short traffic sequence and then answer questions about it.
- Exam language: German, plus twelve foreign languages – English among them. You can sit the theory exam in English, but the language has to be requested when your application is submitted. You cannot change it on the day of the exam.
- Structure: for class B the exam consists of 30 questions – 20 basic questions and 10 specific to the class.
- Passing: you pass if you collect a maximum of 10 error points and do not answer two critical 5-point questions incorrectly.
Read more: how the theory exam works, in detail.
Driving License Theory Test in Germany – Class B App (TÜV / DEKRA)
Prepare for your theory test with the integrated app. It includes all current exam questions and practical features such as the exam traffic light, realistic exam simulations, detailed explanations, and learning statistics.
All official exam questions (TÜV / DEKRA)- Explanations for every question
- Bonus e-book TheorieKOMPAKT
LEARN MORE
The practical test
The practical driving test in Germany usually lasts at least 55 minutes.
Note that unlike the theory exam, the practical test is conducted in German only. There is no English-language option for this part. You do not need to speak fluent German for it. What you need are the driving instructions the examiner uses: turn right at the next junction, take the second exit, pull over here, park in this space. Your instructor will use the same phrases in every lesson, so by the time you reach the test they should already be familiar. The examiner is not there to test your German. What matters is that basic communication works, and that you understand where you are being asked to go.
How it runs:
- Preparation (5–10 min): it begins with the safety check (Sicherheitskontrolle). The examiner checks that you have a basic understanding of your vehicle and may ask you three simple technical questions, for example about key safety functions or how to operate certain controls. Do not worry – this is not about proving mechanical knowledge, but about showing you can operate the car safely.
- Driving (min. 30 min): you drive through a range of traffic situations: town traffic with junctions and traffic lights, country roads and, depending on the route, sections of motorway. You also have to complete several basic manoeuvres (Grundfahraufgaben) chosen by the examiner, such as parking, turning in a confined space or performing an emergency stop.
- Feedback (approx. 5 min): after the drive, the examiner explains the result and points out both the positive aspects of your driving and any mistakes.
- Assessment: the practical test is assessed using a detailed examination protocol (Prüfungsprotokoll), used by almost all TÜV and DEKRA examiners. Although there is no legally fixed minimum number of checkpoints, this protocol contains over 100 specific ones – from observing traffic at junctions, through observing right of way rules, to anticipatory behaviour on the road. Critical errors, such as failing to give way or dangerous behaviour, mean an immediate fail. Particular importance is given to defensive driving: you are expected to recognise possible hazards early and adjust your behaviour accordingly.
- The test route: the examination environment covers all the relevant traffic situations. Alongside town driving and country roads, in most cases it also includes stretches of motorway. Special zones may also be built into the test, such as traffic-calmed areas or roads with time-limited restrictions. This ensures that you can act safely and correctly as a learner in every important situation.
Ready to register with a driving school?
Now that you know exactly how the exams work, here is what documents you need to register with a driving school and how to prepare properly.
The role of your instructor during the practical test
During the practical test there are three people in the car, each with a clearly defined role in how the test runs and how it is assessed.
- The candidate – at the wheel, concentrating on the traffic.
- The instructor (Fahrlehrer) – sits as usual in the passenger seat, with access to the dual controls. Their role is purely passive. Any help or intervention during the test is not permitted. That covers not only verbal hints, but also intervening through the pedals or the steering wheel. Any such intervention means an immediate fail. Having your instructor in the passenger seat can still be reassuring, even though they are not allowed to help you during the test.
- The examiner (TÜV or DEKRA) – in the back, giving instructions and assessing your performance.
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