List of different driving categories
Welcome to your definitive guide to German driving license categories. Here, you’ll find comprehensive, up-to-date information on each category, simplifying the complex German licensing system for novice and experienced drivers alike. Navigate with us for a clearer understanding of the legalities of driving in Germany.
Klasse A
Klasse A
This entitles the holder to drive motorcycles (motorcycles over 50 cm³ or with a design speed of over 45 km/h) and three-wheel motor vehicles with a power of over 15 kW.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 24 years for direct access; or 20 years if you have held an A2 license for at least two years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical (If upgrading from A2 to A, typically only a practical test is needed)
- Vehicles covered: Motorcycles of any power or engine size, and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW.
Klasse A1
This class entitles the holder to drive light motorcycles with a displacement of not more than 125 cm³ and a motor power of not more than 11 kW, in which the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg. It also includes three-wheel motor vehicles with a power of not more than 15 kW.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 16 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Vehicles covered: Motorcycles with a maximum engine displacement of 125cc, a maximum power of 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg. It also includes motor tricycles with a power not exceeding 15 kW.
Klasse A2
This entitles the holder to drive motorcycles with a motor power of not more than 35 kW, where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.2 kW/kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical (If upgrading from A1 to A2, typically only a practical test is needed)
- Vehicles covered: Motorcycles with a maximum power output of 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg.
Klasse AM
This class includes two-wheel or three-wheel motor vehicles and light four-wheel motor vehicles with a design speed of not more than 45 km/h. The displacement for internal combustion engines is a maximum of 50 cm³, and for electric motors, a continuous rated power of a maximum of 4 kW.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 16 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Vehicles covered: Mopeds, scooters, and quads with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h and a 50cc engine or electric motors with a maximum of 4 kW.
Klasse B
Klasse B
This license category allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) not exceeding 3,500 kg and designed to transport no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. You may also tow light trailers with a MAM not exceeding 750 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years (or 17 years if participating in accompanied driving).
- Required tests: Theory and practical.
- Before the practical test, a mandatory number of driving lessons with a licensed instructor are required, including lessons in nighttime driving and autobahn driving.
Klasse BE
With this license category, you can drive a vehicle in class B with a trailer when the combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 7,000 kg. The trailer’s MAM can exceed 750 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Required tests: Theory (if class B was obtained more than three years ago) and practical.
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
Klasse B96
This isn’t a separate license, but an extension to the class B license. It allows you to drive a vehicle and trailer combination where the combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Required tests: No additional exams, but a training course (theory and practical) is required.
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
Klasse BF17
The BF17 license allows young drivers to drive accompanied by an experienced adult until they turn 18. The accompanying person must meet certain requirements (such as a minimum age of 30, having held a driving license for at least five years, and not having serious traffic offenses).
Requirments :
- Minimum age for application: 16.5 years old
- Minimum age for obtaining the license: 17 years old
- Required tests: Theory and practical
Klasse B196
This is an additional qualification for holders of a category B driving license in Germany. After taking a specific training course (without a final test), drivers with the B196 endorsement are allowed to ride motorbikes and motorized tricycles up to 125cc and a maximum of 11 kW. This qualification is only recognized within Germany.
Requirments :
- Minimum age to obtain this endorsement is 25 years
- Candidate must have held a class B license for at least 5 years
Klasse B197
This is a driving license regulation that came into force in Germany in January 2021. It essentially allows drivers who have passed their driving test in an automatic vehicle to drive manual transmission vehicles under certain conditions.
Requirments :
- Minimum age : 18 years
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
Klasse C
Klasse C
This license is for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes (with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of up to 750 kg).
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 21 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse C1
This license is for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes but not more than 7.5 tonnes, with or without a trailer – where the trailer’s maximum authorized mass does not exceed 750 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse CE
This license is for vehicles of category C with a trailer over 750 kg, or a vehicle and trailer combination with a total weight over 3.5 tonnes.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 21 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class C license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse C1E
This license is for combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in subcategory C1, but the combination formed with a trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorized mass exceeding 12,000 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class C1 license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse D
Klasse D
This license is for vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver (essentially buses).
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 24 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse D1
This license is for vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 16 passengers, in addition to the driver, with a maximum length not exceeding 8 meters.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class B license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse DE
This license is for vehicles of category D with a trailer over 750 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 24 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class D license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse D1E
This license is for combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in subcategory D1 and its trailer has a maximum authorized mass exceeding 750 kg.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 21 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
- Previous license: Must have a class D1 license.
- Medical: Requires an eyesight test and a medical examination (check for specific requirements).
Klasse L , T
Klasse L
This license is for tractors and special-purpose vehicles up to a speed of 40 km/h and their trailers. It also includes self-propelled machines and forklifts.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 16 years.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
Klasse T
This license is for tractors used in agriculture and forestry, and they can travel up to speeds of 60 km/h. It also covers other types of agricultural machinery.
Requirments :
- Minimum age: 16 years for tractors up to 40 km/h, and 18 years for tractors up to 60 km/h.
- Required tests: Theory and practical
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