Accompanied driving from 17 (BF17)

Führerscheinstelle · Apply for a driving licence

In person

With accompanied driving from 17 (Begleitetes Fahren ab 17, BF17), young people already acquire the driving licence for Classes B and BE at this age. The legal basis is § 48a of the Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV) in conjunction with § 6e of the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz, StVG). No card driving licence is issued; instead, an examination certificate in the form of Annex 8b FeV is issued, in which all accompanying persons are entered by name.

The driving licence is subject to a condition: until the 18th birthday, you may only drive accompanied by a registered person. The administrative fee is based on the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt) and is, in practice, €43.90 to €45.90; in addition, there is €7.70 for issuing the examination certificate and €1.50 to €10.00 for each accompanying person checked. You can submit the application as early as six months before the 17th birthday, that is, from the age of 16.5.

The model has been scientifically evaluated: according to a study by the Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute (BASt), BF17 graduates have around 19% fewer accident involvements and about 18% fewer traffic violations in their first year of driving alone than learner drivers who obtained their licence the regular way at 18; a further analysis puts the reduction in accident risk at 22%. A second advantage is one of timing: the two-year probationary period already starts at 17 and therefore usually ends as early as 19.

Last updated8 October 2026

Legal basis§ 48a FeV, § 6e StVG, § 2a StVG

VerificationChecked against gesetze-im-internet.de and the GebOSt fee schedule

Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information website: we are not the Führerscheinstelle, not an authority and not paid advice — we do not submit applications for you. All information comes from official sources and is explained simply here; the competent body is always authoritative. Procedures and fees can vary by federal state and local authority. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

Required documents

Valid identity card (Personalausweis) or passport (original). The applicant must prove their identity and date of birth, because the authority checks whether the minimum age will be reached within the six-month period under § 21 FeV. Copies, photos on a smartphone and expired documents are not accepted. If a new identity document is needed beforehand: since 1 May 2025, paper passport photos are no longer permitted for identity cards and passports — only a digital photograph from the authority's terminal (€6.00) or from a certified photo studio is now possible.

Biometric photograph (35 × 45 mm, front-facing). The photo is used on the examination certificate and later on the card driving licence, so it must be current; most driving licence authorities require a photograph no older than six months. Whether your authority accepts a paper photo or wants the photograph submitted digitally by a certified photo studio depends on the competent authority — ask before your photo appointment.

Eye-test certificate from an officially recognised eye-test provider. The eye test is carried out by optometrists, ophthalmologists and many company doctors; it usually costs around €6 to €7. Under § 12 FeV, the certificate must not be older than two years when the application is submitted. If the required visual acuity is not reached, an ophthalmological report is needed — allow extra time for this.

Proof of instruction in immediate life-saving measures. Under § 19 FeV, the course comprises nine teaching units of 45 minutes each and is run by aid organisations such as DRK, Johanniter, Malteser, ASB and numerous private providers. The certificate is valid indefinitely — a course you attended during, for example, your school education is recognised. The driving licence must not be issued without this proof.

Written consent of the parents or legal guardians. Because the applicant is a minor, the consent of all holders of parental custody is required; where custody is shared, both parents must sign. Many driving licence authorities provide their own form for this, which is submitted together with the application. Where custody is held by only one parent, corresponding proof (a court decision on parental custody or a negative certificate from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office)) must be enclosed.

Full details of each accompanying person. Required are given name, surname, date of birth, address, driving licence number and the date Class B was issued — only with these can the authority check the five-year period and the points status in the Register of Driver Fitness (Fahreignungsregister, FAER). Each accompanying person must consent to the check and the entry, in many local authorities with their own signature on the application form. Later entries are possible at any time, but each one costs a fee again.

Application form from the driving licence authority or registration by the driving school. The form “Antrag auf Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis” (application for the issue of a driving licence) is available to download on your local authority’s administrative portal, and copies are available at every driving school. Many driving schools handle the entire application process and submit the documents together. Expressly tick the box for accompanied driving under § 48a FeV on the application — without this note, the driving licence will only be issued on the 18th birthday.

Additional proof in special cases. Anyone who does not hold German nationality must also provide their residence title and, as a rule, a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), because jurisdiction is linked to the ordinary place of residence. If you move during an ongoing procedure, the new authority requests a Karteikartenabschrift (index card transcript — a copy of your driving licence record) from the previous driving licence authority. If there are entries in the Fahreignungsregister or health restrictions, an expert report may be required.

Step by step

Check the requirements and choose accompanying persons

First clarify who can act as an accompanying person: under § 48a FeV, they must have turned 30, have held a valid Class B driving licence continuously for at least five years, and must not have more than one point recorded in the Register of Driver Fitness at the time of application. If in doubt, request free information from the Register of Driver Fitness (Punkteauskunft) from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) in Flensburg before naming a person — if they are rejected, this delays the application. Two to four accompanying persons are advisable, so that someone is always available in everyday life; there is no statutory upper limit.

Submit the application no earlier than six months before the 17th birthday

Under § 21 FeV, the application for the driving licence can be submitted no earlier than six months before reaching the minimum age, so from age 16.5 for accompanied driving. The driving licence authority of your place of residence is responsible — depending on the local authority, this is the Führerscheinstelle (driving licence office), the Straßenverkehrsamt (road traffic office) or the Bürgerbüro (citizens' office). In most cities, an online appointment is required; alternatively, the driving school handles the application. Allow for a processing time of around four to six weeks, because the authority checks the Fahreignungsregister for you and for each accompanying person.

Take the eye test and first-aid course, and submit your documents

Take the eye test at an officially recognised eye-test provider and complete the instruction in immediate life-saving measures with nine teaching units. Submit both certificates together with your identity document, photograph, the parents' written consent and the accompanying persons' details. Only once the file is complete does the authority issue the test order to the technical testing centre (Technische Prüfstelle, e.g. TÜV or DEKRA) — without this test order, the driving school cannot register you for any test.

Complete your driving training at the driving school

In terms of content, the training does not differ from the regular Class B course: theoretical lessons in basic and supplementary material, plus the mandatory special drives on motorways, country roads and in darkness, along with the individually required practice lessons. You may begin the theory lessons well before the 17th birthday, because the minimum age only has to be reached by the test date. Many driving schools recommend starting around six months before the 17th birthday, so that the theory and practical tests fall within the statutory windows without time pressure.

Sit the theory and practical tests

Under § 16 Abs. 1 FeV, the theory test may be taken no earlier than three months before reaching the minimum age, and under § 17 Abs. 1 FeV, the practical test no earlier than one month before. An earlier appointment is not permitted and will be rejected by the testing centre. After passing the theory test, you have twelve months for the practical test; if this period lapses, the theory result expires and the test must be repeated at your own cost. The practical test for Class B lasts 55 minutes.

Collect your examination certificate

On reaching the age of 17 and passing the test, the driving licence authority issues the examination certificate on the model set out in Annex 8b FeV – a paper document in which all approved accompanying drivers are named. Under § 48a Abs. 3 FeV it remains valid as proof of the driving entitlement for up to three months after the 18th birthday, but only within Germany and only together with an official photo ID, which you must therefore always carry with you. Issue of the certificate also marks the start of the two-year probationary period under § 2a Abs. 1 StVG.

Apply for the card driving licence at 18

On turning 18, the condition to drive only when accompanied no longer applies — the driving licence itself has already existed since the 17th birthday and is not reissued. However, the card driving licence is not sent automatically: it must be applied for, or collected, from the driving licence authority. Many authorities have the card produced in advance and hand it over from the 18th birthday; clarify the procedure in good time so that you can carry a valid driving licence from that day. Only with the card driving licence are you also permitted to drive abroad.

Fees & costs

Service	Amount
Application processing (fee schedule Nr. 201 GebOSt)	€5.10
Issue of the Class B driving licence (Nr. 202.1 GebOSt)	€35.70
Administrative fee in practice (depending on local authority)	€43.90–€45.90 (Berlin and Munich €45.90)
Issuing the examination certificate under § 48a FeV (Nr. 202.8)	€7.70
Check of an accompanying person (Nr. 202.9 GebOSt)	€1.50–€10.00 per person (Berlin €5.10)
Eye test at an officially recognised eye-test provider	Around €6–€7
First-aid course (9 teaching units)	Depending on the provider, usually around €30–€60
Theory and practical test (TÜV/DEKRA)	Depends on the technical testing centre
Driving school training (basic fee, driving lessons, presentation fee)	No official tariff — varies greatly by region
Regulatory fine: driving without a registered accompanying person	€70 + 1 point

The driving licence authority's fees are regulated nationwide in the fee schedule in the annex to § 1 of the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt). There is no separate issuing fee for accompanied driving: it is charged like any initial issue of Class B, with €5.10 for application processing (Nr. 201) and €35.70 for the issue (Nr. 202.1). Because many authorities bill additional partial services such as producing the card driving licence, outlays or delivery costs, the amount actually paid is, in practice, €43.90 to €45.90; since 1 January 2025, Berlin and Munich have each charged €45.90.

Two further items are specific to BF17. The issuing of the examination certificate under § 48a FeV costs €7.70 under Nr. 202.8 of the fee schedule. For the check of an accompanying person under § 48a Abs. 5 Satz 2 FeV, Nr. 202.9 provides for a range of €1.50 to €10.00 per person — Berlin charges €5.10. Higher amounts are not permitted for this individual service; if a new examination certificate with the added names is also issued, a further €7.70 is charged for this. Anyone who names all accompanying persons from the outset therefore saves the cost of later additions.

The official fees do not include training costs: driving schools calculate freely and charge the basic fee, driving lessons, special drives and the presentation fee separately; the testing fees of the technical testing centre for theory and practice are added. Before registering, ask for a written breakdown and pay attention to the price per driving lesson — it affects the total cost more than the basic fee. Which means of payment the driving licence authority accepts (EC card, cash, bank transfer after the official notice (Bescheid)) depends on the competent authority and should be clarified before the appointment.

Important notes

The accompanying person is not a driving instructor and not the vehicle's driver. Their role is purely advisory and observational; they must not take hold of the steering wheel or operate the pedals, and they bear none of a driving instructor's responsibility. Under traffic law, the 17-year-old remains the driver — they are liable for infringements and are held responsible during checks. No special training or instruction obligations apply to the accompanying person; it is sufficient that they meet the requirements of § 48a FeV.

The examination certificate is only valid together with an official photo ID. The paper document under Annex 8b FeV does not contain sufficient identity verification and is only recognised during a roadside check together with an identity card or passport. Always carry both. The certificate is explicitly not a substitute for the card driving licence abroad.

Alcohol and drug limits for the accompanying person. They must not take on the accompanying role if they reach 0.5 per mille blood alcohol or 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol. Since the cannabis reform, a limit of 3.5 ng/ml THC in blood serum also applies; for the other substances in the annex to § 24a StVG, a zero-effect prohibition applies. If the limit is exceeded, the drive is legally treated as a drive without an accompanying person — with all the consequences for the accompanied person.

A 0.0 per mille limit applies to the 17-year-old themselves. Under § 24c StVG, an absolute alcohol ban applies to all novice drivers in the probationary period and to everyone under 21. With accompanied driving, both provisions apply at the same time, so even a single drink can lead to a regulatory fine, a point, a retraining seminar and an extension of the probationary period.

The probationary period already runs during the accompanied phase. Under § 2a Abs. 1 StVG, it begins with the issue of the driving licence, that is, with the handing over of the examination certificate, and lasts two years — with BF17 it therefore usually ends as early as age 19. This is a real advantage, but it has a downside: infringements during the accompanied phase count in full and can extend the probationary period to four years.

Further accompanying persons can be added at any time. The number of registered persons is not limited by law; each additional person is checked by the authority and added to the examination certificate. Under Nr. 202.9 GebOSt, this costs €1.50 to €10.00 per person, plus €7.70 if applicable for a new version of the certificate. You should therefore name as many eligible persons as possible already in the initial application.

Insurance: BF17 tariffs and correct driver details. Many motor insurers offer their own tariffs or discounts for accompanied driving, because the risk of a claim is demonstrably lower in this group. It is essential that the 17-year-old is entered in the insurance contract as an authorised driver — if this detail is missing, a contractual penalty and a back payment of premiums may be charged in the event of a claim. Clarify this with the vehicle holder's insurer before the first drive.

Driving abroad only to Austria. On the basis of a decree of the Austrian Ministry of Transport of 17 July 2012, the examination certificate is recognised only in Austria, and there too only until the 18th birthday. In all other countries — including Switzerland, France and the Netherlands — it is not valid as a driving licence.

EU driving licence reform of 21 October 2025. The newly adopted EU driving licence directive provides that accompanied driving from 17 will in future be recognised EU-wide. Member states have three years after entry into force for national implementation, followed by a one-year transition period — until then, the restriction to Germany and Austria remains in place.

Keep to the test windows exactly. The theory test is permitted no earlier than three months, and the practical test no earlier than one month, before the 17th birthday (§§ 16, 17 FeV). No more than twelve months may pass between passing the theory test and the practical test. Starting too early means losing appointments; starting too late risks the theory result expiring.

Common mistakes

Driving without a registered accompanying person

Contrary to what is often claimed, this is not a criminal offence under § 21 StVG, because the driving licence exists and you are merely breaching a condition. The regulatory offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit) is penalised with a €70 regulatory fine and one point in the Fahreignungsregister. Under administrative law, however, the consequence is still serious: the driving licence authority revokes the driving licence for Classes B and BE, orders participation in a retraining seminar, and extends the probationary period to four years. The infringement counts as a serious violation (A-Verstoß) within the meaning of § 2a StVG.

Accompanying person no longer meets the requirements

If a registered person accumulates points after being registered, loses their driving licence, or begins serving a driving ban, they must no longer act as an accompanying person. If you still drive with them, the drive is legally treated as a drive without an accompanying person — with a regulatory fine, a point, revocation of the driving licence, a retraining seminar and an extension of the probationary period. Discuss changes in points status openly and have a replacement person registered in good time.

Accompanying person has drunk alcohol or used cannabis

From 0.5 per mille or 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol, the accompanying person must not take on the role; for cannabis, the limit is 3.5 ng/ml THC in blood serum, and for other substances in the annex to § 24a StVG, a zero-effect prohibition applies. The consequences then fall on the accompanied person: the drive is treated as an unaccompanied drive and leads to revocation of the driving licence. The common misconception that the accompanying person may “drink in the passenger seat, because they are not driving anyway” is wrong.

Carrying the examination certificate without an ID

The certificate under Annex 8b FeV is only recognised as proof during a check together with an official photo ID. If the ID is missing, you cannot prove your entitlement to drive; the police can prohibit you from continuing the journey, impose a warning fine (Verwarnungsgeld), and refer the matter to the driving licence authority for review. Keep both documents together.

Driving abroad with the examination certificate

Outside Germany and Austria, the certificate is not valid as a driving licence. A drive there is prosecuted under the respective national law as driving without a licence — with a fine, a prohibition on continuing the journey and, in several countries, seizure of the vehicle. In addition, insurance cover may be called into question, and the comprehensive insurer may reduce its payments.

Test appointment booked too early

The theory test may take place no earlier than three months, and the practical test no earlier than one month, before the 17th birthday. An appointment scheduled too early is rejected by the technical testing centre; the booked time slot is lost, the testing and presentation fees already paid are usually forfeited, and the next available appointment is often several weeks later.

Taking the theory test too early and letting the deadline lapse

After passing the theory test, you have twelve months for the practical test. Anyone who takes the theory test very early and then lets their training slide loses the result and must repeat the theory test at their own cost. Plan your training schedule backwards from the desired test date.

Not getting a card driving licence after the 18th birthday

Under § 48a Abs. 3 FeV, the examination certificate remains valid as proof of the driving entitlement for up to three months after the 18th birthday, and the card does not arrive automatically by post even after that. Anyone who does not arrange the card in time, and still has not applied for it once this three-month period has passed, is driving without valid proof of a driving licence and risks a warning fine for not carrying the licence. Ask the driving licence authority in good time, before this period ends, whether the card is ready for collection.

Frequently asked questions

What does accompanied driving from 17 cost at the authority?

The driving licence authority charges as for any initial issue of Class B: the GebOSt fee schedule provides for €5.10 for application processing (Nr. 201) and €35.70 for the issue (Nr. 202.1); in practice, €43.90 to €45.90 is charged depending on the local authority, and €45.90 in Berlin and Munich. In addition, there is €7.70 for issuing the examination certificate under § 48a FeV (Nr. 202.8), as well as €1.50 to €10.00 for checking each accompanying person (Nr. 202.9). The driving school's training costs and the testing organisation's examination fees are not included in this.

What requirements must the accompanying person meet?

Under § 48a FeV, every accompanying person must have turned 30, have held a valid Class B driving licence continuously for at least five years, and must not have more than one point recorded in the Fahreignungsregister at the time the driving licence application is made. During the accompanied drive, they must not be under the effect of 0.5 per mille or more, or 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol; for cannabis, a limit of 3.5 ng/ml THC in blood serum applies, and for the other substances in the annex to § 24a StVG, a zero-effect prohibition applies. They must carry their own driving licence and show it on request.

What happens if I drive without a registered accompanying person?

This is not a criminal offence under § 21 StVG, because the driving licence exists and you are merely breaching a condition — the regulatory offence is penalised with a €70 regulatory fine and one point in the Fahreignungsregister. The administrative consequences weigh more heavily: the driving licence authority revokes the driving licence for Classes B and BE, orders participation in a retraining seminar, and extends the probationary period to four years. The infringement counts as a serious violation (A-Verstoß) within the meaning of § 2a StVG.

Does the examination certificate automatically become a driving licence at 18?

No. The driving licence has indeed already existed since the 17th birthday, and the condition to drive only when accompanied no longer applies once you turn 18 — but the card driving licence is not sent automatically. You must apply for it, or collect it, at the driving licence authority; many authorities have it produced beforehand and hand it over on the 18th birthday. Arrange this in good time so that you can carry a valid driving licence from the 18th birthday.

Is the examination certificate also valid abroad?

No, the German examination certificate is recognised only in Austria, and there only until the 18th birthday; this is based on a decree of the Austrian Ministry of Transport of 17 July 2012. In all other countries it is not valid as a driving licence, so a drive there is treated under the respective national law as driving without a licence. The EU driving licence reform of 21 October 2025 provides for EU-wide recognition of accompanied driving from 17, but this still has to be implemented nationally.

When does the probationary period for accompanied driving begin and end?

The two-year probationary period under § 2a Abs. 1 StVG begins with the issue of the driving licence, that is, with the handing over of the examination certificate shortly after the 17th birthday. With BF17, it therefore usually ends as early as age 19, whereas with the regular acquisition at 18 it only runs out at age 20. However, infringements during the accompanied phase count in full and can extend the probationary period to four years.

Can I have further accompanying persons registered later?

Yes, the number of accompanying persons is not limited, and you can have further ones added at any time. The driving licence authority checks each additional person under § 48a Abs. 5 Satz 2 FeV and charges between €1.50 and €10.00 for this under fee schedule Nr. 202.9 GebOSt; Berlin charges €5.10 per person. Because all names appear on the examination certificate, a new version may also be charged at €7.70 (Nr. 202.8).

May I, as a 17-year-old, drink alcohol before driving?

No. Under § 24c StVG, an absolute alcohol ban applies to novice drivers in the probationary period and to everyone under 21, meaning 0.0 per mille at the wheel. An infringement is penalised as a regulatory offence with a regulatory fine and one point in the Fahreignungsregister, and, as an infringement during the probationary period, also results in a retraining seminar and an extension of the probationary period.

Do I need an appointment at the driving licence authority for the application?

In most cities, you need to book an appointment in advance through the driving licence authority's online portal; in smaller districts, open office hours are still available. Many driving schools handle the application as a service and submit the documents together, so that you do not have to go to the authority yourself. Whether your authority also accepts the application entirely online depends on the competent authority — check your local authority's administrative portal.