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.

If you need to make an appointment in person, click on "Make an appointment for the driver's license and vehicle registration authority" to go directly to the page where you can select your request and make an appointment.

Please note the application for a driving license for motor vehicles under Forms.

Under the further links you will find a reference to the page of the "Driving license authority".

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 suitable for driving motor vehicles,
• have been trained to drive motor vehicles in accordance with the Driving Instructors Act and the legal provisions based on it,
• have demonstrated their ability to drive motor vehicles in a theoretical and practical test,
• can provide first aid,
• do not hold a driving license for 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 another driving license category for certain driving license categories.

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

• Application for a driving license for motor vehicles

• Learner driver training regulations (FahrschAusbO)
• Road Traffic Act (StVG)
• Ordinance on the admission of persons to road traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV)

• Driving license authority

  Central page of the driving license authority

Note: a digital passport photo is not required to apply for / transfer a driving license. As before, a conventional biometric passport photo is required.

• Driving license; application due to expiry of validity
• Driver's license; submission of proof of suitability
• Driving license; application for accompanied driving from 17