Overview of Different Driving License Classes in Germany and the EU

In Germany and other EU states, driver’s licenses can have different classes under the same category. For example, a car license can have a B class, B-96 class, or BE. The following categories are discussed on this page:

  1. Moped and motorcycle license
  2. Car license
  3. Truck license
  4. Bus license
  5. Tractor and forklift license

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Moped and Motorcycle License

The driver's license for mopeds and motorcycles includes the following classes: AM, A1, A2, and A.

AM

Mopeds (including sidecars) with a maximum speed of not more than 45 km/h. Either with an electric motor or internal combustion engine of not more than 50 cc or a maximum rated continuous power of up to 4 kW in the case of electric motors.

Motorcycles with a maximum speed of not more than 45 km/h or with electric motors or internal combustion engines of not more than 50 cc.

Tri-wheel mopeds and quad motorcycles, each having a maximum speed of not more than 45 km/h and a displacement of not more than 50 cc, or with a maximum net power of not more than 4 kW in the case of an electric motor.

The unladen weight must not exceed 350 kg, without the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles.

The minimum age required for AM class is: 16 years

Other classes included in AM class are: None

A1

Light motorcycles (including sidecars) and quad motorcycles having an engine displacement not exceeding 125 cc and engine power of not more than 11 kW, in which the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg.

Tricycles with symmetrically arranged wheels with a maximum speed of more than 45 km/h and a power of up to 15 kW.

The minimum age required for class A1 license is: 16 years

Other classes included in A1 class are: AM

A2

Motorcycles (including sidecars) with an engine power of not more than 35 kW, where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.2 kW/kg.

In the case of two-year prior ownership of class A1, only a practical test is required (this also applies to "old owners" with a driver's license of class 3 or 4 acquired before April 1, 1980).

Class A licenses limited to those issued before January 19, 2013 are automatically considered Class A (unlimited) after two years.

Minimum age required for A2 class is: 18 years

Other classes included in A2 class are: AM and A1

A

Motorcycles (including sidecars) with an engine displacement exceeding 50 cc or a speed of more than 45 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of more than 0.2 kW/kg.

Three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power exceeding 15 kW with symmetrically arranged wheels and an engine displacement of more than 50 cc for internal combustion engines or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h.

Motor vehicles with engine power greater than 15 kW and displacement greater than 50 cc.

A person who has had an A2 license for at least two years can get a Class A after a practical exam. With this license, only motor vehicles of class A may be driven.

The minimum age required for A2 class is : 24 years for the direct entry or 20 years with at least 2 years earlier possession of class A2 license.

The minimum age required for A2 class three-wheeled motor vehicles: 21 years.

Other classes included in A class are: A2, A1, AM.

Passenger Car License

The passenger car license includes the following classes: B and BF 17, B 96, and BE.

B / BF 17

Motor vehicles up to 3.5t (3500 kg) gross weight and a maximum 9 seats, including the driver.

A holder of a class B license can draw the following trailers with his or her car:

- Trailers up to 750 kg gross weight,

- Trailers over 750 kg of permissible maximum weight, provided the total weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is not greater than 3500 kg.

Minimum age required: 18 years (17 years for participants in the "accompanied driving with 17" (BF 17)).

Other classes included in B class: AM, L

B 96

Combination of a car and trailer. You need this special trailer license if you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kg behind a class B car and the total mass of the trailer and car is greater than 3,500 kg but not more than 4,250 kg.

Prior ownership of a class B license is necessary to obtain this license.

Minimum age required: 18 years

Other classes included in B class: AM, L

BE

Combination of a car and trailer, consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer, provided that the maximum authorized mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3500 kg.

Prior ownership of a class B license is necessary to obtain this license.

Minimum age required: 18 years

Other classes included in BE class: AM, L

Truck License

Classes included in the truck license are: C1, C1E, C, and CE.

C1

Small trucks weighing more than 3.5 t (3500 kg), but not more than 7.5 t (7500 kg) total weight, also trailer up to 750 kg gross weight.

Prior ownership of a class B license is necessary to obtain this license.

In addition to a general eyesight test, a full health test and an examination by an ophthalmologist are also requirements for this license.

Validity: As the holder of the class C1 license reaches the age of 50, the license has to be renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are prerequisites for the renewal.

Minimum age required: 18 years

Other classes included in C1 class are: None

C1E

Class C1E includes small trucks with trailers;it's a combination of the driving license of Class C1 and a trailer with a maximum permissible total weight of 12,000 kg.

Motor vehicles weighing over 3.5 t (3500 kg) and up to 7.5 t (7500kg) and a trailer weighing over 750 kg are allowed under this class. The total mass of the trailer must not be greater than the unladen mass of the towing vehicle, and the sum of the two masses must not be greater than 12 tons (12000 kg).

Previous ownership of the class C1 driver’s license is necessary to obtain this license.

Minimum age required: 18 years

Other classes included in the C1E class are: BE and D1E, provided that the holder is entitled to drive category D1 vehicles.

C

Large truck, with a weight of more than 3500 kg (no restriction upwards) and constructed for the carriage of not more than nine persons, including the driver, also with a trailer up to 750 kg.

Prior ownership of a class B license, a general health test, and an examination by an ophthalmologist are prerequisites to obtaining this license.

Validity: This license is issued for 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are also prerequisites for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 18 years

Other class/classes included in C class : C1

CE

A large truck with trailer/trailers: A combination consisting of a towing vehicle of category C and a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum authorized mass of more than 750 kg.

Prior ownership of a class C license, a general health test, and an examination by an ophthalmologist are prerequisites to obtaining this license.

Validity: This license is issued for 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are also prerequisites for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 18 years with the training of professional driver qualification or 21 years without extra professional driver qualification.

Other classes included in CE class are: BE, C1E & T, and D1E, provided that the holder is authorized to drive category D1 vehicles and DE, where he/she is entitled to drive category D vehicles.

Bus License

The bus license includes the following classes: D1, D1E, D, and DE.

D1

Buses with more than 8 but not more than 16 passenger seats, as well as a trailer up to 750 kg gross vehicle weight, the total allowed length is not more than 8 m, including a trailer.

Prior ownership of a class B license is necessary to obtain this license.

Validity: valid for up to 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of the positive general health test and eyesight test is the prerequisite for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 21 years old is normal. 18 years with a basic qualification in the field of professional driver qualification or with training as a professional driver.

Other classes included in D1 class are: None

D1E

Combination of the driving license of class D1 and trailer. The combined bus and trailer mass must not exceed 12,000 kg.

Bus with more than 8 but not more than 16 passenger seats, with a trailer over 750 kg gross weight. When loaded, the trailer may not weigh more than the empty bus.

Prior ownership of the class D1 license is necessary to obtain this license.

Validity: valid for up to 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are also prerequisites for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 21 years

Other classes included in the D1E class are: BE and C1E if the holder is entitled to drive category C1 vehicles.

D

Buses with more than 16 passenger seats and with trailers up to 750 kg gross vehicle weight.

Prior ownership of license B is necessary.

Validity: Valid for up to 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are also prerequisites for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 21 years

Other class/classes included in D class is/are: D1

DE

All buses with all bus trailers, including trailers weighing more than 750 kg. This class also includes passenger trailers.

Prior ownership of a class B license is a prerequisite.

Validity: Valid for up to 5 years and then renewed every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and an eyesight test are also prerequisites for a renewal.

Minimum age required: 21 years

Other classes included in the DE class are: D1E, BE, if owned by C1, and C1E license holders.

Tractor and Forklift License

The tractor license includes classes T and L.

T

Agricultural or forestry tractors with trailers with a speed of not more than 60 km/h; self-propelled agricultural or forestry machines up to 40 km/h speed, also with a trailer.

Minimum age required: 16 years. Until the age of 18, only tractors up to 40 km/h.

Other class/classes included in T class is/are: L

L

Tractors in agriculture and forestry up to 32 km/h maximum design speed, also with trailers (then maximum speed 25 km/h).

Forklifts (also with trailers), self-propelled machines, and industrial trucks up to 25 km/h maximum design speed.

Minimum age required: 16 years

Other classes included in L class are: None

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