First driving licence application (Class B)

Führerscheinstelle (driving licence office) · Initial issue of the driving licence

In personOften arranged through the driving school

The first application for the grant of a driving licence – officially the “initial issue” – is the administrative part of obtaining a driving licence. It runs parallel to the driving school training and legally comes before it: only once the driving licence authority has examined your application and issued the examination order (Prüfauftrag) to the technical testing centre (TÜV or DEKRA) may you sit the theory test. The legal basis is §§ 7 to 22 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV) and § 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz, StVG).

The administrative fee follows the tariff of the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt): €5.10 for processing the application (Nr. 201) and €35.70 for the initial issue (Nr. 202.1, since 1 January 2025; previously €34.50). Because authorities also charge further tariff items and outlays, the total amount actually charged is higher – Berlin and Munich charge €45.90, and Brandenburg an der Havel €43.90 or €44.70 for a driving licence on probation; nationwide, the ADAC states a range of €38 to €70. You should also allow for a processing time of four to sixteen weeks.

Last updated8 October 2026

Legal basis§§ 7–22 FeV · § 2a StVG · GebOSt Nr. 201, 202.1

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Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information site: We are not the Führerscheinstelle, not an authority and not a fee-based advice service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain terms; the competent body is always authoritative. Each driving licence authority sets its own administrative fees and processing times, which may therefore differ from the examples given. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative 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 driving licence authority must establish your identity beyond doubt before accepting an application; copies, phone photos and expired documents are not accepted. If you identify yourself with a passport, you must also submit a current registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), because the passport does not contain an address – you obtain this at the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). Some authorities, such as Munich, additionally require a colour copy of the identity document for the application file.

Biometric photograph as a printed copy (35 × 45 mm) — The printed passport photo still applies for the driving licence: the obligation to use a digital photograph, in force since 1 May 2025, applies only to the identity card, passport and documents under foreign nationals’ law, not to the driving licence. The photograph must be current, in colour, sharp and taken face-on, with a plain light background, open eyes and a closed mouth. A photographer or photo booth costs around €6 to €15 depending on the provider; some authorities also offer a photo upload within the online application.

Eye-test certificate from an officially recognised eye-test provider (§ 12 FeV) — For classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L and T, a simple eye test at an officially recognised eye-test provider is sufficient, that is, at an optician, an ophthalmologist or an occupational health service. Annex 6 FeV requires a central visual acuity in daylight of at least 0.7/0.7, with glasses or contact lenses if needed. At the time of application, the certificate must be no more than two years old; since March 2019 there has been no legally fixed price, the usual range being €0 to €10 (reference value €6.43), and many opticians offer the test free of charge.

Certificate of first-aid training (§ 19 FeV) — For classes A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, L and T, you must prove at least nine teaching units of 45 minutes each at a recognised training provider, for example DRK, ASB, Malteser, Johanniter or DLRG. Unlike for the eye test, the FeV sets no maximum age for this certificate. Doctors and members of certain healthcare professions are exempt from the training under § 19 Abs. 3 FeV; the market price in 2026 is around €20 to €60.

Confirmation from the driving school of your enrolment — The driving licence authority wants to know which driving school is providing the training, because the examination order is later handled through that driving school; Munich expressly requires this confirmation for all classes. You receive it directly when you enrol at the driving school, often together with the training contract. In many cities the driving school submits the complete first application on your behalf, so that you do not have to go to the authority yourself.

Completed application form of the driving licence authority — Every authority provides the form on its administrative portal; it asks, among other things, about the classes applied for, previous driving licences, ongoing or earlier revocation proceedings and health restrictions. By signing, you consent to a check of the Register of Driver Fitness (Fahreignungsregister, FAER) at the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) in Flensburg – our page on the information from the Register of Driver Fitness (Punkteauskunft) explains how to view your own points status. False statements about previous offences can later overturn the grant of the licence.

Proof of ordinary residence in Germany (§ 7 FeV) — A driving licence may only be granted if you have your ordinary place of residence in Germany; the authority of your place of residence is responsible. Proof is usually provided through the Meldebestätigung (official confirmation of registration), and international students must additionally provide a certificate of enrolment. Third-country nationals must also submit a visa or residence title.

For accompanied driving from 17, additionally: information about the accompanying persons and a declaration of consent — For the application under § 48a FeV, all accompanying persons must be named with their name, date of birth and information about their own driving licence, and entered in the examination certificate. For applicants who are minors, the declaration of consent of all persons with parental responsibility is also required. The details and the requirements for accompanying persons are set out on our page on accompanied driving from 17 (BF17).

Step by step

Check the minimum age and plan the timing of your application

For classes B and BE, the minimum age is 18 (§ 10 Abs. 1 FeV); under accompanied driving pursuant to § 48a FeV, you may already drive at 17, but only in the company of the registered accompanying persons. You may submit the application no earlier than six months before reaching the relevant minimum age. Make use of this lead time: because processing takes four to sixteen weeks depending on the local authority, the timing of your application determines whether you may drive on your 18th birthday or only months later.

Complete the eye test and first-aid course

Both proofs should be obtained early, because they form part of the application. The eye test is carried out by officially recognised eye-test providers – opticians, ophthalmology practices and occupational health services – and requires a visual acuity of at least 0.7/0.7 under Annex 6 FeV. At the time of application, the certificate must be no more than two years old, so do not take the test years in advance. The first-aid course comprises, under § 19 FeV, at least nine teaching units of 45 minutes each and is usually offered on a weekend day; budget €20 to €60.

Choose a driving school and enrol

Driving school prices are not subject to any fee ordinance and are set freely – comparing them is therefore doubly worthwhile. Pay attention not only to the base amount, but also to the price per practice lesson, the price per special drive (rural road, motorway and night drives are mandatory for class B) and, above all, to the presentation fees for the theory and practical tests, which are among the largest additional costs. When you enrol, you receive the confirmation that the driving licence authority requires; in many cities the driving school then takes care of the entire application for you.

Submit the first application to the driving licence authority

Only the driving licence authority of your ordinary place of residence is responsible (§ 7 FeV) – depending on the city, it is called the Führerscheinstelle, Fahrerlaubnisbehörde or Straßenverkehrsamt (road traffic office). Whether you must appear in person, may submit the application through the driving school, or can use an online procedure is decided by each local authority itself; an appointment is the rule in major cities. The authority checks minimum age, place of residence and fitness to drive, and queries the Register of Driver Fitness at the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt for this purpose. The administrative fee of around €44 to €46 becomes due – exactly €45.90 in Berlin and Munich.

Wait for the examination order from the authority

After a positive review, the driving licence authority issues the examination order to the technical testing centre (§§ 16, 18 FeV) and informs the driving school. Without this examination order you are not permitted to sit any test – not even if the driving school training has long been completed. In practice, three to six weeks pass until the examination order is issued, depending on the authority; the often-cited “four to six weeks” refers to this intermediate step, not to the issue of the driving licence. The examination order is valid for twelve months.

Sit the theory test

You sit the theory test at TÜV or DEKRA; it costs a uniform €24.99 gross nationwide (€21.00 net plus €3.99 VAT). For class B it comprises 30 questions and is passed with no more than 10 error points. There is also a special rule that many fail on: two questions each worth five error points must not both be answered incorrectly – anyone who gets only these two questions wrong has exactly 10 error points on paper but has still failed. A failed test may generally not be retaken before two weeks have passed.

Sit the practical test

The practical test for classes B, BE and AM costs, under fee item Nr. 402.3 of the GebOSt, €129.83 gross (€109.10 net plus €20.73 VAT). It lasts 55 minutes in total, of which at least 30 minutes is pure driving time (Annex 7 Part 2 FeV) – by comparison, for classes C and CE it is 85 minutes with 50 minutes of driving time. The deadline matters: after passing the theory test, you must sit the practical test within twelve months, otherwise the theory test loses its validity and must be repeated in full.

Receive the driving licence and observe the probationary period

After passing the practical test, you first receive a time-limited examination certificate under Annex 8a, which lets you drive immediately anywhere in Germany; under § 22 Abs. 4 FeV, however, it is valid as proof of the driving entitlement only within Germany. The actual card licence is produced by the Bundesdruckerei and then issued or sent to you by the driving licence authority. No more than two years may pass between the practical test and the licence being issued, or the entire test procedure lapses. The two-year probationary period under § 2a StVG begins with the grant of the licence – not already with passing the test. For how you later add further classes, see Add a class to your driving licence.

Fees & costs

Service	Amount	Charged by
Application processing (fee schedule Nr. 201 GebOSt)	€5.10	Driving licence authority
Initial issue of the driving licence (Nr. 202.1 GebOSt)	€35.70 (since 1 January 2025; previously €34.50)	Driving licence authority
Actual total fee charged — examples	Berlin €45.90 · Munich €45.90 · Brandenburg an der Havel €43.90 or €44.70 (driving licence on probation)	Driving licence authority
Nationwide range of the administrative fee (ADAC)	€38–€70	Driving licence authority
Theory test (all classes)	€24.99 gross (€21.00 net + €3.99 VAT (USt))	Technical testing centre (TÜV/DEKRA)
Practical test classes B, BE, AM (Nr. 402.3 GebOSt)	€129.83 gross (€109.10 net + €20.73 VAT (USt))	Technical testing centre (TÜV/DEKRA)
Eye test at an officially recognised eye-test provider	€0–€10 (reference value €6.43; often free of charge)	Optician / ophthalmologist — private service
First-aid course (9 teaching units)	Approx. €20–€60	Recognised training provider — private service
Biometric photograph (printed copy)	Approx. €6–€15	Photographer / photo booth — private service
Presentation fee, theory test	Approx. €70–€150	Driving school — private service
Presentation fee, practical test	Approx. €250–€400	Driving school — private service
Total driving school costs (class B)	Approx. €2,466–€4,476 (ADAC sample calculation 2026); national average approx. €3,400, up to €6,000 in major cities	Driving school — private service

What matters for cost planning is distinguishing the three parties that charge you. A fee of the driving licence authority is exclusively the administrative fee for processing the application and the initial issue under the fee schedule in the annex to § 1 GebOSt. The examination fees charged by TÜV and DEKRA are also regulated there, but go to the technical testing centre and not to the local authority – and they fall due again each time you take the test. The eye test, the first-aid course, the photograph and all driving school services, by contrast, are purely private services with no fee ordinance; here the market sets the price, and the driving school’s presentation fees in particular are regularly underestimated. Which means of payment the driving licence authority accepts is for it to decide – debit card (EC card) and cash are the most widely accepted, credit cards are rarely accepted. The fee schedule makes no provision for a reduction or deferment of the administrative fee; whether something different is possible in an individual case is for the competent authority to decide.

Important notes

Six months’ lead time is allowed – and usually necessary. The application may be submitted no earlier than six months before reaching the minimum age. Because Munich currently states up to 14 weeks from complete submission, Düsseldorf around 12 weeks, Duisburg normally 8 to 10 and currently up to 16 weeks, and Frankfurt am Main around 8 weeks, an application “shortly before the birthday” is practically always too late. The processing time also includes production of the card driving licence at the Bundesdruckerei.

Three deadlines govern the procedure. The examination order is valid for twelve months – if the theory test is not passed within this time, it goes back to the authority. After passing the theory test, a further twelve months remain for the practical test. And no more than two years may pass between the practical test and the handover of the driving licence; after that, the entire examination procedure lapses.

Retaking a failed test. Under § 18 FeV, a failed test may not be retaken before a reasonable period has elapsed, generally no earlier than two weeks. In cases of attempted deception, this period can be extended to up to nine months. The number of attempts is not limited – the only limiting factor is the twelve-month deadline of the examination order.

Failed the eye test? The procedure continues. If the required visual acuity of 0.7/0.7 is not reached, an ophthalmological examination is required. There, under Annex 6 FeV, at least 0.5 in the better eye or binocularly is sufficient, together with a normal visual field in one eye or an equivalent binocular visual field with a horizontal diameter of at least 120 degrees. In special cases, the licence can also be issued below these values if an ophthalmological report and a successful practical driving assessment are available.

The old “Lebensrettende Sofortmaßnahmen” (emergency life-saving measures) course no longer exists. Since 1 January 2016, only the unified first-aid course with at least nine teaching units of 45 minutes each has existed; the previous eight-hour course for class B was discontinued without replacement. Old certificates for “Lebensrettende Sofortmaßnahmen” no longer meet the requirements of § 19 FeV. Doctors and members of certain healthcare professions are exempt under § 19 Abs. 3 FeV.

The probationary period begins with the issue, not with the test. Under § 2a Abs. 1 StVG, it lasts two years from the handover of the driving licence. In the event of a serious category-A infringement or two less serious category-B infringements, the authority orders a fee-based advanced training seminar and extends the probationary period by two years to a total of four years. Anyone who does not attend the advanced training seminar loses the driving licence.

Absolute alcohol ban for novice drivers. Under § 24c StVG, an absolute alcohol ban applies throughout the probationary period and to all drivers under 21 – 0.0 per mille, regardless of whether the probationary period has already ended. Infringements are punished with a regulatory fine and a point, and during the probationary period also trigger the measures under § 2a StVG.

A printed photo instead of a digital photograph. Unlike the identity card and passport, for which only digital photographs have been permitted since 1 May 2025, the driving licence authorities still require a printed biometric passport photo in the 35 × 45 mm format for the driving licence. So bring the photo with you physically, even if you already submitted a digital photo for your last identity document application.

EU driving licence reform: what will change in the coming years. The European Parliament adopted the fourth EU Driving Licence Directive on 21 October 2025. Among other things, it provides for a digital driving licence by 2030 as part of the European digital identity wallet, an EU-wide probationary period for novice drivers, Europe-wide recognition of accompanied driving, and driving bans with EU-wide effect for serious infringements. The member states still have to transpose the directive into national law – the rules of the FeV continue to apply unchanged to your first application in 2026.

Moving house during the ongoing procedure. The driving licence authority of your ordinary place of residence (§ 7 FeV) is always responsible. If you move to another city while your application is being processed, inform both authorities and the driving school early, so that the file can be transferred and the examination order correctly assigned. Without this notification, the procedure can be significantly delayed.

Common mistakes

Budgeting with outdated examination fees

Many cost breakdowns still cite the net figures of around €23 for the theory test and €117 for the practical test. In fact, the amounts due are €24.99 and €129.83 gross – anyone calculating with the old figures budgets around €15 too little, and the gap grows with every further attempt. Added to this each time is a renewed presentation fee from the driving school of €70 to €150 or €250 to €400.

Planning with a “4 to 6 weeks” processing time

This range describes, at most, the time until the examination order is issued. Until the licence is issued, 4 to 16 weeks pass depending on the local authority – Munich states up to 14, Düsseldorf around 12, Duisburg currently up to 16 weeks. Anyone who submits the application correspondingly late may be unable to drive for weeks despite having passed the tests, because the card driving licence has not yet been produced.

Eye-test certificate older than two years

Under § 12 FeV, the eye-test certificate must be no more than two years old at the time of application. If an older certificate is submitted, the application is incomplete: the authority does not start processing it, the deadline keeps running, and you have to retake the test. This is particularly annoying for young people who have already taken the eye test for a moped or scooter licence.

Submitting the old “Lebensrettende Sofortmaßnahmen” course (8 teaching units, UE)

Since 1 January 2016, § 19 FeV has required at least nine teaching units of 45 minutes each in a single, unified first-aid course. Certificates for the old eight-hour course are not accepted – the course must be completed again in full, which costs €20 to €60 and, above all, another course day and several weeks of delay.

Sitting the theory test without an examination order

The technical testing centre must not examine you without the official examination order under §§ 16, 18 FeV. The reserved test slot is forfeited, the driving school generally still charges its presentation fee, and the next available slot is often weeks later. Have the driving school confirm that the examination order has actually arrived.

Letting the twelve-month deadlines expire

Anyone who does not pass the theory test within twelve months of the examination order being received loses the examination order; anyone who does not sit the practical test within twelve months of the theory test loses the passed theory test. In both cases, the procedure starts again from the beginning: a new application, a new administrative fee and a new examination fee.

Getting both five-point questions wrong

The class B theory test is passed with no more than 10 error points – but in addition, two questions each worth five error points must not both be wrong. Anyone who gets exactly these two questions wrong has, on paper, 10 error points, but has still failed. The result: at least two weeks’ waiting time and another €24.99 examination fee.

No printed passport photo brought along

Because only digital photographs have been permitted for the identity card and passport since 1 May 2025, many applicants turn up without a paper copy. This rule does not apply to the driving licence: without a printed biometric passport photo in the 35 × 45 mm format, the application cannot be completed, and you will need a second appointment.

Underestimating the probationary period

The two-year probationary period begins with the issue of the driving licence and is often dismissed as a mere formality. A single category-A infringement – such as a significant speeding offence, running a red light or drink driving – leads to a fee-based advanced training seminar and an extension to a total of four years. Anyone who does not attend the seminar loses the driving licence they have only just obtained.

Frequently asked questions

What does the first application cost at the driving licence authority?

The fee schedule of the GebOSt provides for €5.10 for processing the application (Nr. 201) and €35.70 for the initial issue (Nr. 202.1); the rate for the initial issue was raised from €34.50 on 1 January 2025. Because the authorities also charge further tariff items and outlays, the amount actually charged is higher: Berlin and Munich charge €45.90, and Brandenburg an der Havel €43.90 or €44.70 for a driving licence on probation. Nationwide, the ADAC states a range of €38 to €70.

How long does processing of the first application take?

The processing time varies greatly between local authorities and ranges from about four to sixteen weeks: Munich currently states up to 14 weeks from complete submission, Düsseldorf around 12 weeks, Duisburg normally 8 to 10 and currently up to 16 weeks, Frankfurt am Main around 8 weeks. This includes production of the card driving licence at the Bundesdruckerei. The often-cited four to six weeks corresponds more closely to the time until the examination order is issued to TÜV or DEKRA, not to the time until the licence is issued.

From when can I submit the first application for a driving licence?

The application may be submitted no earlier than six months before reaching the relevant minimum age. For classes B and BE this is 18 (§ 10 Abs. 1 FeV), and 17 for accompanied driving under § 48a FeV. Because of the long processing times, you should make full use of this lead time.

What do the theory and practical tests cost at TÜV or DEKRA?

The theory test costs a uniform €24.99 gross (€21.00 net plus €3.99 VAT) nationwide for all classes. The practical test for classes B, BE and AM costs €129.83 gross (€109.10 net plus €20.73 VAT) under fee item Nr. 402.3 of the GebOSt. Both amounts are fees of the technical testing centre and not fees of the driving licence authority; the driving school’s presentation fees are added on top.

How much does a class B driving licence cost in total?

The ADAC’s sample calculation for 2026 arrives at around €2,466 to €4,476 for class B; the national average is around €3,400, with up to €6,000 possible in major cities. The largest share consists of driving school services, because driving school prices are set freely and are not subject to any fee ordinance. At around €44 to €46, the driving licence authority’s administrative fee is only a very small part of the total cost.

How long are the examination order and a passed theory test valid?

The examination order is valid for twelve months: if the theory test is not passed within this time, the technical testing centre returns the order to the driving licence authority, and you must apply again and pay again. After passing the theory test, you also have twelve months for the practical test, otherwise the theory test loses its validity. In addition, no more than two years may pass between the practical test and the handover of the driving licence.

What happens if I fail a test?

Under § 18 FeV, a failed test may not be retaken before a reasonable period has elapsed, generally no earlier than two weeks; in cases of attempted deception, this period can be extended to up to nine months. Every further attempt again costs the full examination fee of €24.99 or €129.83, plus another presentation fee from the driving school. The number of attempts is not limited, but the twelve-month deadline of the examination order is.

What applies if I fail the eye test?

For classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L and T, Annex 6 FeV requires a central visual acuity in daylight of at least 0.7/0.7, with a visual aid if needed. If this value is not reached, an ophthalmological examination is required; there, at least 0.5 in the better eye or binocularly is sufficient, together with a normal visual field in one eye or an equivalent binocular visual field with a horizontal diameter of at least 120 degrees. In special cases, the licence can also be issued below these values if an ophthalmological report and a successful practical driving assessment are available.

Do I need a digital photograph for the driving licence?

No. The obligation to use a digital photograph, in force since 1 May 2025, applies only to the identity card, passport and documents under foreign nationals’ law. For the driving licence, the driving licence authorities still require a printed biometric passport photo in the 35 × 45 mm format; some authorities additionally offer a photo upload within the online application.

When does the probationary period begin and what rules apply during it?

Under § 2a Abs. 1 StVG, the probationary period lasts two years and begins with the issue of the driving licence, not already with passing the practical test. An absolute alcohol ban under § 24c StVG applies, which also applies to all drivers under 21. In the event of a serious category-A infringement or two less serious category-B infringements, the authority orders a fee-based advanced training seminar and extends the probationary period by two years to a total of four years.