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If you live in Germany and want to drive, the German driver’s license requirements start before your first lesson. You need to put together a file of documents and submit it to your local licensing authority, the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, and you do it through a driving school, a Fahrschule. The route is clearly regulated, but it does require careful preparation.
In this guide you will find out:
- Which documents the German driver’s license requirements include.
- What each one costs and how long it takes to get.
- The exact steps to register with the driving school you want, without mistakes.
The full list of German driver's license requirements
Below is every document you need to register at any driving school in Germany. The list applies to category B — cars — and holds in most federal states, though small local differences exist.
1. Identity document and proof of address
You need a valid identity document and official proof of your German address. There are two situations:
- If you hold a German ID card (Personalausweis), that is enough on its own. Your address is printed on the back, so no further proof of residence is needed.
- If you hold a passport or an ID card from another country, you must also provide your address registration certificate; the Anmeldung, or Anmeldebestätigung. This is the document that proves you actually live in Germany, and it is not optional.
The Anmeldung is obtained from your local town hall: the Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt. You bring your identity document and either your rental contract or a confirmation from your landlord, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
How long and how much: the appointment itself takes a few minutes at the counter, and in most cases it is free or carries a nominal fee of €5–10.
2. Biometric photograph
Mandatory for any official document in Germany.
- Size: 35 × 45 mm, to the German standard for official documents; a biometrisches Passfoto.
- Where? Photo studios, drugstore chains such as dm, Rossmann and Müller, some professional photographers, or directly at the town hall, which in some cities has photo booths
- Cost: Around €10–20
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3. First aid certificate (Erste-Hilfe-Kursmen)
Attending a first aid course is required by law, and it is one of the German driver’s license requirements you cannot skip or replace with anything else.
- Duration: Roughly 6–8 hours, completed in a single day
- Cost: Around €40–60
- Where can you take the course? You have the choice between large organisations such as the German Red Cross (DRK), the ASB, the Johanniter, the Malteser, or certified private providers.
4. Eye test (Sehtestbescheinigung)
The eye test is compulsory, whether or not you wear glasses. If the test shows you need correction, your licence will carry a note requiring you to drive with glasses or lenses.
- Where? Most opticians in Germany are authorised to carry it out: chains such as Fielmann and Apollo-Optik, as well as independent opticians.
- How it works? Walk in, say you need a Sehtest für den Führerschein, show an identity document, and the test is done on the spot. It takes five to ten minutes and you leave with the certificate.
- Cost: Around €5–10
TIP! Many providers offer packages that bundle the first aid course, the eye test and the biometric photographs, all in the same place on the same day. These packages are usually cheaper and far more convenient, and typically cost between €50 and €80 in total.
- Search on Google for “Erste-Hilfe-Kurs Führerschein” plus the name of your city to find local providers and compare prices.
- Or simply ask your driving school. Many have partnerships with first aid providers and can recommend somewhere, or even give you a discount voucher
5. Licence application form (Antrag auf Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis)
The form covers your personal details, the licence category you are applying for, your state of health, and your signature. You can get it from your driving school or from your local authority’s website.
The German driver's license requirements, step by step
Sobald du die Unterlagen für deine Anmeldung für Führerschein zusammen hast, folgt dieser Ablauf:
- Choose your driving school (Fahrschule)
- Gather the documents listed above
- Submit the file to the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde
- Complete your theory and practical lessons
- Sit the exams and receive your licence
Frequently asked questions about German driver's license requirements
- How long is the first aid certificate valid?
The law does not set an expiry date, but in practice the licensing authority only accepts recent certificates. To be safe, make sure yours is no more than two years old when you submit your file. - Can I take the eye test wearing glasses?
Yes, and you should if you wear corrective lenses. The result will simply state that you must drive with glasses or contact lenses. - Do my documents need to be translated?
An identity document from an EU country is accepted directly. If your documents were issued outside the EU, ask your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde whether a certified translation is required, as practice varies. - Can I start driving school without the Anmeldung?
No. Most authorities require the Anmeldung before you can submit your application. - Can I register online?
It depends on the city. Some Fahrerlaubnisbehörden accept online submission, others require you to attend in person. - Is there anything special about applying for accompanied driving from 17 (BF17)?
Yes. If you start your application at 17, there are extra requirements. For every accompanying person you name in your application, you have to submit copies of their identity card and their driving licence, both sides. All accompanying persons must also sign the BF17 supplementary application in person.
Note that this involves additional costs: the authority charges a fee for each accompanying person, roughly €8 to €15, for checking the driver fitness register in Flensburg, plus a fee for issuing the special BF17 examination certificate.
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