German Class B Driving Licence 2025 – The Complete Guide
Overview
A Class B licence allows you to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes with a maximum of eight passenger seats. From spring 2025, the EU approved raising the limit to 4.25 tonnes for electric vehicles and motorhomes, provided that an additional training or a short test is completed; the rule is expected to be implemented in Germany within four years. (ADAC, stern.de)
Initial requirements to register
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 (or 17 under the accompanied driving scheme BF17) (Bußgeldkatalog) |
| Residence | Registered address in Germany + valid ID |
| First-aid course | 9 training units in one day |
| Eyesight test | At an ophthalmologist or optician |
| Biometric photo & authority fees | €40–€70 depending on the federal state |
Training stages in a driving school (Fahrschule)
| Item | Mandatory volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Theory lessons | 14 sessions (90 min each) | |
| Regular practical lessons | Typically 20–30 hours; decided by the instructor | |
| Sonderfahrten (special drives) | 12 hours (rural 5 / motorway 4 / night 3) | |
| Option to remove automatic restriction (B197) | 10 hours in a manual car + a short test | (fahrschule-123.de) |
Theory exam
30 questions; pass with a maximum of 10 penalty points. (Bußgeldkatalog)
Available in 13 languages, including Arabic.
Since 1 April 2025, picture-based questions were added to analyse realistic traffic scenes. (tuev-verband.de)
The TÜV/DEKRA fee is around €25.
Practical exam
| Stage | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Vehicle check (Abfahrtkontrolle) | 5 minutes |
| Driving (urban, rural, motorway) | 30 minutes |
| Mandatory manoeuvres (parking, reversing, emergency braking) | 10 minutes |
| Digital feedback | 10 minutes |
| Total | 55 minutes for Class B (fahrschule-123.de) |
One serious fault—such as running a red light or creating a direct danger—means immediate failure.
Expected costs (average 2025)
| Item | Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Driving school base fee | 350–565 |
| Learning materials | 50–90 |
| Practical lesson | 50–70 × number of lessons |
| Sonderfahrten | 600–840 |
| Theory exam | 25 |
| Practical exam | 160–230 |
| Eyesight/medical + photo | 30–60 |
| Approx. total | 2,500–4,400 |
Automatic or manual?
If you take the test in an automatic, code 78 is added and you may not drive a manual car.
You can switch to code 197 by completing 10 manual lessons plus a short test—without retaking the full exam. (fahrschule-123.de)
BF17 accompanied driving
BF17 allows driving from age 17 provided an approved adult supervisor is listed on the permit. The restriction remains until 18, then the licence is converted automatically. (Bußgeldkatalog)
Validity and renewal
The licence is valid for 15 years and then renewed administratively without another test.
A digital driving licence for smartphones is currently being tested, which should make identification within the EU easier. (ADAC)
Common reasons for failing
| Reason | Practical example |
|---|---|
| Ignoring right of way | Not stopping at a “Stop” sign |
| Insufficient mirror checks | Forgetting side checks before changing lanes |
| Wrong speed judgement | Entering a rural bend too fast |
| Following distance | Less than two seconds behind the car ahead |
| Parking mistakes | Touching the kerb or crossing the bay line |
Conclusion
Class B combines strict standards with precise digital updates to ensure drivers understand the rules and drive safely. By meeting the requirements, training systematically, and understanding the newest changes—especially the 4.25-tonne rule and the expansion of picture-based questions—you pave the way to smoother licensing and greater mobility across Germany and the EU.
— The site’s writers and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and review of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be unconfirmed. Please treat the content as initial guidance and always consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.
