Driving school Germany: Complete guide and Costs 2026

Driving school Germany: How it works

Getting a driving licence in Germany means going through a Fahrschule – a driving school. Unlike in some countries, you cannot simply book a test and turn up: attendance at a registered school is compulsory, and so is a minimum number of lessons.

What a driving school in Germany actually does

Your Fahrschule handles three things: your theory lessons, your practical lessons, and your paperwork. It submits your application to the licensing authority, tells you when it has been approved, and books both exams on your behalf. You do not deal with TÜV or DEKRA directly – the school does.

The compulsory lessons

For category B, the theory is fixed by law: 12 double lessons of basic material plus 2 double lessons specific to your class, each lasting 90 minutes. There is no way around them.

The practical side has a legal minimum of 12 driving lessons, made up of special hours – driving outside built-up areas, on the motorway and at night. On top of those, you take as many ordinary lessons as you need. That number is decided by your instructor, based on how you drive, not by a fixed schedule.

Choosing a driving school as a foreigner

Two questions matter more than price when you do not speak German fluently.

The first is whether the school will register you for the theory exam in English. The language has to be requested when your application is submitted, not on the day of the exam, so ask before you sign up.

The second is your instructor. The practical test is held in German only, and so, in practice, are most lessons. You do not need fluent German, but you do need an instructor who is patient with the basic driving instructions and makes sure you understand them before the test.

What it costs

Expect between €2,700 and €3,500 for category B in 2026, spread across registration, lessons, exam fees, the first aid course and the eye test. Prices vary by region, and driving schools in large cities are generally at the upper end.

The single most effective way to keep the total down is not finding the cheapest school. It is arriving prepared, so you need fewer driving lessons and pass each exam first time – a retaken exam is the most expensive avoidable cost in the whole process.

Guides and resources

Above you will find our detailed guides on every stage of the process – costs, documents, the theory and practical exams, licence classes, and life on the road in Germany.