Driving license and driving license (Germany)
This article deals with the special provisions for the driver's license and the driving license documented with it in Germany . Everyone who drives a motor vehicle on public roads basically requires a permit and has this with a driving license under EU law or a corresponding recognized official certificate such as an international driving license , whereby the following additional provisions apply to EU law:
Front side
1. Last name
2. First name
3. Date and place of birth
4a.
Date of issue 4b. Driving license valid until
4c. issuing authority
5. Driver's license number
7. Signature of the holder
9. Driver license class (es)
9. Driving license class (es)
10. Issue date
11th class valid until
12. Restrictions / additional information
13. Field for entries from other member states when the place of residence is moved there
14. If necessary, handwritten date of issue ( marked with *) for 10. )
The Restrictions can be entered for individual classes on the far right or for all classes at the bottom.
National driving license classes
In Germany, the European driving license classes as defined in EU law are used. However, there are also national driving license classes that are only valid in Germany. The national driving license classes are printed in italics on the driving license.
Driving license class L
With the driving license class L.
- Agricultural and forestry tractors up to 40 km / h design-related maximum speed (with trailer max. 25 km / h)
- self-propelled machines
- Forklifts and other industrial trucks each up to 25 km / h maximum design speed
be driven. Class L can be acquired at the age of 16. Furthermore, class L is included in the driving license classes B and T. The possession of the driving license class L only entitles you to drive corresponding vehicles for agricultural and forestry purposes. If one of the above-mentioned vehicles is to be driven for other reasons (e.g. to exhibitions), a driver's license (B, C1 or C, in the case of trailer operation, possibly BE, C1E or CE) must be available that corresponds to the gross vehicle weight. Class L earmarking only applies to driving licenses issued on or after January 1, 1999. If a driver's license issued before this date has been rewritten, the earmarking of class L is usually canceled by entering the code number 174.
Driving license class T
With the driving license class T.
- Agricultural and forestry tractors up to 60 km / h
- self-propelled machines or self-propelled mixer feeders up to 40 km / h
be driven. Class T can be acquired at the age of 16. Furthermore, class T is included in the driving license class CE or can be requested when exchanging a class 3 driving license. The restriction to agricultural and forestry purposes (see class L) also applies to class T. The acquisition of the driving license class T includes classes AM and L.
Driving license class S
Between February 1, 2005 and January 18, 2013, people aged 16 and over were allowed to acquire the new S driving license in accordance with an EU regulation. It applied to light vehicles and quads ; Light vehicles are vehicles similar to passenger cars, but they may weigh a maximum of 350 kg (for electric vehicles, this value does not include batteries).
For all vehicles that can be moved with the driving license class S, holds that the specific maximum design speed shall not be more than 45 km / h, also in gasoline engines of displacement cc be no more than 50 or with diesel or electric motors the power must not exceed 4 kW.
In connection with the corresponding vehicles (“light vehicles”), the new driving license class raised many questions from politicians, traffic experts and parents alike and was highly controversial. Light vehicles in particular suffer from serious safety deficiencies.
In practice, driving license class S was almost meaningless in Germany. According to KBA statistics, only 293 class S driving licenses were issued in Germany in 2008. This is 0.02% of all driving licenses issued that year.
Class S driving licenses have not been issued since January 19, 2013. The authorization to drive these vehicles is now in the new class AM (class L2E for the quad as a three-wheel motorcycle, class L6e for the light mobile according to 2002/24 EC or today's Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No. 168/2013) .
Inclusion of driving license classes
Deviating from the regulations on the inclusion of driving license classes as stipulated in EU law , the driving license of the following classes also entitles the driver to drive vehicles of the following additional classes:
- B also applies to class L,
- C1E for class D1E, if class D1 is available,
- D1E for class C1E, if class C1 is available,
- DE for class C1E, if class C1 is available,
- CE for class T and
- T also applies to classes AM and L.
National special regulations
Furthermore, there are special regulations in German driving license law that do not regulate their own driving license classes:
Permit-free motor vehicles
Certain motor vehicles with a low design-related maximum speed (bbH) are exempt from the basic permit requirement:
Mopeds
Mopeds are single-track bicycles with an auxiliary motor, even without cranks, a seat and, if necessary, additional seats for taking children under the age of seven and with a maximum design speed of 25 km / h on a level track. A driving license is not required, but you must first pass an examination to know the relevant road traffic rules and to be able to deal with the dangers in road traffic § 5 Abs. 1 FeV. The test certificate must be handed over to responsible persons on request. A moped test certificate is not required if the driver has a driver's license or was born before April 1, 1965.
A test certificate is issued after attending a moped course at recognized general education schools or driving schools and taking a theoretical test. The minimum age is 15 years. When bringing children under the age of seven, the driver must be at least 16 years old.
Up to 6 km / h
- Tractors for agricultural or forestry purposes (e.g. tractors) also with trailers,
- self-propelled machines (e.g. excavators) and
- Industrial trucks (e.g. forklifts)
- as well as single-axle tractors and work machines (e.g. single-axle tractors ) that are regularly only guided at walking pace by pedestrians on stiles without express bbH, but practically anyway .
The classes L (or T) apply above this.
Others
Also do not need permission:
- Electrically powered wheelchairs with an empty weight of no more than 300 kg and a maximum permissible total weight of 500 kg, a maximum width of 110 cm and a BBH of 15 km / h; they need a stern marker board.
- Small electric vehicles and
- Motor vehicles of the EC classes L1e-B, L2e-P or L2e-U and technically equivalent motor vehicles with a BBH of 25 km / h.
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70 kW control
When implementing the EU driving license class A2 ( motorcycles with an engine output of up to 35 kW and a power to weight ratio of up to 0.2 kW / kg, which are not derived from a vehicle with more than twice the engine output ) on January 19 In 2013, the federal government waived the derivation ( no more than twice the engine output ). Motorcycles with an output of more than 70 kW, which were throttled to 35 kW, were allowed to be driven by category A2 license holders until December 27, 2016 under national law. With the 11th amendment to the Driving License Ordinance of December 21, 2016, this national regulation was deleted, but the vested interests are retained.
Accompanied driving at 17 (BF17)
The model of accompanied driving (BF17, driver's license at 17) has established itself in Germany and is well received. This is in line with a trend that can also be seen in other countries: lowering the starting age for a driver's license under protected conditions (example USA: starting age 15 years, seven months in most federal states; example Austria: L17 training ). The aim is to reduce the high accident rate, especially among novice drivers, who do not yet have the necessary experience , but who are willing to take risks .
The Accompanied Driving at 17 is in § 48a -regulation driving license (FeV) and § 6e road (StVG) anchored. The implementation in all federal states within two years shows that it is seen by politicians as a promising model to meet the mobility needs of young people and the security needs of the general public. Baden-Württemberg was the last federal state to take over accompanied driving at the age of 17 on January 1, 2008 .
Model test class AM from 15 years
The minimum age for the acquisition of the driving license class AM is set at 16 years in Germany according to § 10 of the driving license regulation. However, according to Article 4 (6a) of the Third Driving License Directive, Member States can lower the minimum age for this category to 14 years or increase it to 18 years.
Since May 1, 2013, a model test has been running in the federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in which the driver's license class AM can be acquired at the age of 15. The model test was designed for 5 years. Before the model test ran out in spring 2018, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure extended the test for a further 2 years until April 2020. In North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, too, the minimum age has been reduced to 15 years.
Fire brigade license
In order to maintain the operational capability of the volunteer fire brigades , rescue services , the technical relief organization and disaster control , the German Bundestag passed a law on July 3, 2009 with the consent of the Bundesrat on July 10, 2009, which enables members of the associated organizations to use emergency vehicles up to a permissible total weight of 7.5 t on the basis of a specific training and examination.
The Federal Council also recommended limiting the total weight to 4.75 tonnes for emergency services who have not had a class B driving license for two years. According to a statement by the Federal Council , all other members of such aid organizations should be authorized - after successfully completing the internal training for the "small fire service driver's license" up to 4.75 tons and a practical test - to drive emergency vehicles up to 7.5 tons. The exact implementation is up to the federal states:
| country | Design |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg |
|
| Bavaria |
|
| Brandenburg |
|
| Hesse |
|
| Lower Saxony |
|
| Saarland |
|
| Schleswig-Holstein |
|
Since the fire brigade license is only valid in Germany, in the absence of bilateral or international regulations in the border area, fire service drivers drive to neighboring countries but are on the road without a valid driving license. Such an agreement was concluded with Austria in 2013, so that the driver's license is recognized for cross-border journeys. In return, the Austrian counterpart is also recognized.
Exception to the class B weight limit
The Second Ordinance on Exceptions to the Regulations of the Driving License Ordinance stipulates that bulletproof vehicles with a permissible gross weight of up to 4100 kg with a class B driving license may be driven, provided they are used by the Federal Criminal Police Office or the police forces of the federal states . There are special requirements listed in the regulation for both the driver and the vehicles.
The Fourth Ordinance on Exceptions to the Regulations of the Driving License Ordinance stipulates that Class B also entitles the driver to drive vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3500 kg up to 4250 kg, provided the vehicles are electrically powered and used in goods transport and the driver has attended an additional vehicle briefing.
Special features of class B in connection with motor vehicles without a combustion engine
The German Driving License Ordinance provides for some special features when driving multi-lane vehicles that are not powered by an internal combustion engine:
Section 6 (3b) The class B driving license also entitles the holder to drive vehicles in Germany, provided the holder has had it for at least two years
- wholly or partially with
- a) electricity,
- b) hydrogen,
- c) natural gas, including biomethane, gaseous (compressed natural gas - CNG) and liquid (liquefied natural gas - LNG),
- d) liquid gas (LPG),
- e) mechanical energy from on-board storage / sources, including waste heat,
- alternatively driven,
- with a total mass of more than 3 500 kg but not more than 4 250 kg,
- for the carriage of goods and
- without trailer,
provided
- the mass exceeding 3 500 kg is due exclusively to the additional weight of the drive system compared to the drive system of a vehicle with the same dimensions, which is equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine with external or compression ignition, and - the loading capacity is not increased compared to this vehicle.
Special driving permits
Additional authorization is required to drive the following vehicles:
- BF3 for escort vehicles with variable message signs (Wvz) for heavy loads and large-capacity transports
- Hazardous goods license
- Drivers of cars for commercial passenger transport, such as rental cars , taxis , cars on regular services, cars for excursions or cars for holiday destinations, need an additional driver's license for passenger transport , provided that passengers are being transported,
- Service vehicles of the Bundeswehr and police (see service driver's license )
Other driving licenses
Shipping, aviation, rail transport
In commercial shipping , the equivalent is the certificate of competency (patent), in so-called sport shipping the various sport boat driving licenses .
In the aviation one is flying license required. An apron driver's license is required on the apron of an airport .
In rail transport there is a train driver's license .
Bundeswehr driving license classes
- Class AY: Class A motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of not more than 200 cm³ and a nominal power of not more than 15 kW.
- Class F: Half and full track vehicles
- Class G: wheeled armored vehicles
- Class P: Class C or C1 vehicles for transporting more than eight people in specially authorized places.
Old driving license classes
Driving license classes in the Federal Republic of Germany
| class | Classes through December 31, 1998 |
|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycles without power restrictions |
| 1a | Motorcycles with power restrictions (20 kW / 27 PS or 25 kW / 34 PS) |
| 1b | Light motorcycles up to 125 cm³ (previously 80 cm³) displacement and max. 80 km / h (now: A1 with the special feature that from the age of 18 there is no longer a speed limit) (1b was only created on April 1, 1980, was previously integrated into class 4. From April 1, 1980, class 4 was added the below mentioned 50 cm³ displacement / 50 km / h restricted.) |
| 2 | Trucks and tractors with and without trailers |
| 3 | Motor vehicles up to max. 7.5 t gross vehicle weight and trains with no more than three axles |
| 4th | Motorcycles with a cubic capacity of not more than 50 cm³ and a maximum speed of not more than 50 km / h, determined by the design (no speed limit before April 1, 1980) |
| 5 | Elevators and tractors or work machines with a maximum speed of no more than 25 km / h, determined by the design |
Driving license classes in the GDR
| class | Classes until October 2, 1990 in the GDR |
|---|---|
| A. | Motorcycles with and without sidecars |
| B. | Motor vehicles - except class A - with a permissible total weight up to 3500 kg and no more than 8 seats - except for the driver's seat - also with a trailer up to 750 kg |
| C. | Motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 3500 kg, including trailers up to 750 kg |
| D. | Motor vehicles for passenger transport with more than 8 seats - apart from the driver's seat - also with a trailer up to 750 kg |
| E. | Class B, C or D vehicles with trailers over 750 kg |
| M. | Small motorbikes and wheelchairs (up to 60 km / h) |
| T | Tractors , electric vehicles and work vehicles with a maximum speed of 30 km / h, also with trailers |
The GDR driving license is still valid. There is no obligation to exchange according to the Driving License Ordinance (Appendix 3 to Section 6 Paragraph 7).
As part of the safeguarding of vested rights , driving licenses that have a wider range of driving licenses (e.g. the maximum permissible mass of the train to be driven; before April 1, 1980, the license to drive light motorcycles was also part of the car driving license class) keep theirs Validity, even if new legal regulations narrow down the scope of driving licenses for new drivers. For truck drivers (the old class 2), in the interest of road safety, there is an obligation to provide evidence of physical and mental fitness to the road traffic authority by the age of 50 at the latest , otherwise the license to drive vehicles of the old class 2 expires Incidentally, when a new driver's license is issued (e.g. conversion to an EU driver's license, replacement in the event of loss), the correct scope of driving licenses must be ensured so that there are no legal disadvantages.
Grandfathering and transitional regulations
The old driver's licenses remain valid until January 18, 2033. This means that there are no costs for a compulsory exchange for private individuals (around 30 euros).
The changeover to the EU driving license in the course of European standardization naturally also affects the legal framework. With class B, it is no longer permitted to drive vehicles over 3.5 t. Therefore, there are transitional provisions for the definition of the vested interests. The former German class 3 is therefore being changed to the new classes AM, B, BE, C1, C1E and L. Depending on the date of issue of class 3, further EU driving license classes will be issued. For example, if class 3 was granted before April 1, 1980, class A1 is also awarded.
Carriages over 12 t
A particular problem in Germany arises from the fact that, according to the old national driving license law, vehicle combinations of motor vehicles and trailers were allowed to be driven with driving license class 3, which are not covered by the new small truck trailer class C1E. Essentially, this involves combinations in which the maximum permissible mass (GVW) contained in class C1E of 12 tons is exceeded. The EU driving license class C1E allows driving vehicle combinations with more than three axles. In terms of the scope of the permit, it basically goes beyond the old class 3. Since the old class 3 was defined by law in such a way that it covered all vehicles and vehicle combinations "that did not fall into one of the other classes", and trains with more than three axles, regardless of the GVW, were defined as falling under class 2 , with class 3 it was quite possible to drive three-axle trains (including combinations of two-axle towing vehicles and so-called tandem - axle trailers with more than one axle, the hub spacing of which was ≤ 1.00 m) that were heavier than the 12 tons specified in class C1E .
However, it emerged from the regulation on the permitted total weight of motor vehicle trailers from the old StVZO that, unless a special restriction was entered in the vehicle documents for the towing vehicle, trailers up to 1.5 times the total weight of the towing vehicle were allowed to be pulled if the towing vehicle was registered as a truck. A truck with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 t could thus achieve a towing mass of up to 11.25 t (7.5 t × 1.5 with a continuous brake system = 11.25 t). However, since the axle load of a tandem axle with an axle spacing ≤ 1.00 m is limited to 11 t, this limit must also be observed for holders of driving license class 3. Strictly speaking, old owners who have not yet had their driver's license rewritten to the new driver's license class and who have not yet reached the age of 50 were allowed to drive three-axle trains with a total weight of up to 18.5 tonnes with the old license class 3 (7 , 5 t gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle + 11 t permissible trailer mass).
In order to preserve the vested rights, the German legislator has therefore regulated that old holders of class 3 (the majority of German driving license holders) are to be granted a restricted CE class in addition to class C1E when changing the driving license classes. This restricted class CE is issued without the towing vehicle class C and is entered with the restriction "(79)" and the explanatory addition "(C1E> 12,000 kg, L≤3)" in field 12 of the EU driving license card to ensure the above context " (Class C1E trains heavier 12 t, number of axles less than / equal to three) ”.
Three-wheeled vehicles
Driving three-wheeled vehicles up to 15 kW is generally permitted with class A1. The - German - safeguarding of vested rights includes that three-wheeled vehicles such as trikes or scooters (e.g. Piaggio MP3 or ARI 145 ) may be driven in Germany and abroad even with class 3 or B - if issued before January 19, 2013 .
For driving abroad and driving licenses issued after January 19, 2013, the acquisition of class A is required. For this reason, class B driving licenses issued before the cut-off date are also given class A with the international code number 79.03 (“only three-wheeled vehicles”). Then trikes can also be driven abroad with this card driving license. This restricted class A does not entitle the holder to drive motorcycles.
With the 11th amendment to the Driving License Ordinance of December 2016, it was again permissible to drive three-wheeled vehicles with a class B driving license if this was issued between January 19, 2013 and December 26, 2016. If the driver's license document is renewed, class B receives the national code number 194 as an addition. In contrast to driving licenses issued up to January 18, 2013, driving three-wheeled vehicles is only permitted in Germany and not in the rest of the EU; where in some cases their own, more liberal rules apply, see driver's license (EU law) # Driving class A1 motorcycles with a class B driver's license . This means that driving three-wheeled vehicles before the age of 21 is restricted to three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum of 15 kW.
If you want to drive a three-wheeled vehicle outside of Germany and have only acquired class B after January 19, 2013, you must therefore acquire class A. Since the minimum age for three-wheeled vehicles without performance restrictions is 21 years, class A must be acquired with the code number 80, which limits this: “Only for holders of a driving license for three-wheeled vehicles of class A who have not yet reached the age of 24 ". The training and test drive takes place on a motorcycle, as is required for the acquisition of class A. Classes AM, A1 and A2 are issued together with class A, which is restricted by the code number 80. As soon as the holder has reached the minimum age for direct purchase of Class A - currently 24 years - the acquired Class A applies without restriction. If class A was acquired after two years of previous ownership A2 and after reaching the age of 21, no code number is noted.
Basically, if you have acquired class A2 at the age of 18, you can acquire class A at the age of 20. Since the minimum age for driving three-wheeled vehicles has been set at 21 years, class A driving licenses acquired before the age of 21 are given the addition of the international code number 81: "Only for holders of a driving license for two-wheel motorcycles of class A who are 21 years of age or older. Have not yet reached the age of ". In this age group and variant of Class A, driving three-wheeled vehicles for so-called "trikes" - three-wheeled vehicles with an output of more than 15 kW - is therefore excluded. This is not the case with three-wheeled vehicles with up to 15 kW - these can also be operated with less than 21, since the A1 class has already been granted with the acquired A2.
Driving buses and coaches
Another national peculiarity that arises from the regulations on vested rights is the fact that with an old national German driving license of classes 2 and 3 buses and coaches could be driven if there was a maximum of one other person as a driver in addition to the driver . The aim was to enable transfer trips and workshop trips, etc., even to holders of driving licenses who did not have a driving license to transport people. However, the new EU driving license classes do not provide for this. For this reason, old owners will be entered with the extension “171” or “172” in field 12 of the card driving license when transferring the class C1 or C. This extends the corresponding driving license class by the right to drive class D1 or D vehicles without passengers, but with a co-driver, without being in possession of class D1 or D. However, if the extension of class C is not applied for in good time, this right lapses. According to Section 6 (4) of the Driving License Ordinance, driving licenses in classes C, C1, CE or C1E continue to entitle you to drive buses - possibly with a trailer - with a corresponding permissible total weight and without passengers if the journeys are only used to check the technical The state of the vehicle.
Granting of the T driving license
There is an extension of the driving license compared to the previous scope for old owners of class 3 in contrast to the description in certain cases with regard to the new national driving license class T. The national driving license class T allows driving high-speed agricultural tractors (agricultural tractors with a maximum speed determined by the design of more than 40 km / h and not more than 60 km / h or 40 km / h up to the age of 18) and self-propelled agricultural machinery with a design-related maximum speed of not more than 40 km / h - in each case exclusively for agricultural purposes Purposes - which have a permissible total weight of more than 7.5 tonnes, each with (possibly several, provided the maximum legal train length is not exceeded) trailers including people who are not in possession of classes C and CE are. Since it allows the driving of tractors and work machines that weigh significantly more than 7.5 tonnes and any permitted trailer combinations, it is to be regarded as a restricted class CE in terms of its legal character. Limited in terms of the maximum permissible speeds, but also limited to the agricultural and forestry purpose of the respective journey. Driving an agricultural tractor is, even if you are in possession of class T, driving without a license if the journey is not for agricultural purposes - unless the vehicle weighs less than 7.5 tons and you are in possession of class C1 (C1E if there are trailers on the train) or C (E) if the vehicle or combination weighs more. Unfortunately, this connection is often overlooked, especially by younger drivers. When converting a class 3 driver's license, the applicant proves to the competent authority that he is dependent on driving class T vehicle combinations (for example farmer, but also agricultural auxiliaries and temporary workers - depending on the driving license authority and the responsible clerk are the imagination no limits set), he is granted class T without an examination on request. This option is particularly popular in rural areas, as it saves the acquisition of the CE driving license class - if the driver's license holder was not already in possession of class 2 because he was driving heavy, high-speed tractor combinations before the new driving license law came into force. Class T is only valid as a national driving license class in the Federal Republic of Germany and in local border traffic .
Driving license register
Stock information
The actual number of German driving licenses cannot be precisely determined, as the driving licenses and driving licenses issued by the local driving license authorities have only been recorded in the Central Driving License Register (ZFER) since January 1, 1999 after new issues, extensions or changes at the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) . Up to this deadline, the driving license information was only recorded by the local driving license authorities. So are z. B. People who still have a class 3 driving license are not included in the KBA statistics.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority compiles statistics on driving licenses that have been issued, extended or rewritten since January 1, 1999, which can be publicly viewed there. In connection with the forthcoming Europe-wide changeover by 2033, the number in Germany was estimated at 45 million driving licenses.
Old driver's licenses must be exchanged by 2033
Since January 19, 2013, driving licenses in Germany have only been issued for a limited time and must be extended after 15 years at the latest. However, only the driving license expires as an official document , but not the actual driving license (except for limited truck and bus driving license classes); This means that it is not necessary to repeat the theoretical and / or practical test.
Driving licenses that were issued before January 19, 2013 must be renewed by January 18, 2033 at the latest in accordance with the European directive. Thus, the old driver's licenses are only valid until January 18, 2033, although these documents have no official expiry date.
The thirteenth ordinance amending the driver's license ordinance and other road traffic regulations of March 11, 2019 decrees a step-by-step plan:
Driving licenses issued up to and including December 31, 1998:
| Year of birth of the driver's license holder |
latest exchange date |
|---|---|
| Before 1953 | January 19, 2033 |
| 1953 to 1958 | January 19, 2022 |
| 1959 to 1964 | January 19, 2023 |
| 1965 to 1970 | January 19, 2024 |
| 1971 or later | January 19, 2025 |
Driving licenses issued after January 1st, 1999:
| Year of issue | latest exchange date |
|---|---|
| 1999 to 2001 | January 19, 2026 |
| 2002 to 2004 | January 19, 2027 |
| 2005 to 2007 | January 19, 2028 |
| 2008 | January 19, 2029 |
| 2009 | January 19, 2030 |
| 2010 | January 19, 2031 |
| 2011 | January 19, 2032 |
| 2012 to January 18, 2013 | January 19, 2033 |
Other regulations
The driving a motor vehicle under German law means. "Under normal conditions of use of the driving forces set the vehicle in motion or keep it moving" - that is, what is referred to in common parlance as "driving a car". This driving requires the approval of people for road traffic by the responsible driving license authority. In the extended case law, the term includes putting the vehicle in operational condition (turning the ignition key and starting the engine) or towing , pushing and towing , but not just steering while pushing or sitting in the vehicle without the engine running.
When towing in an emergency, the driver of the vehicle to be towed does not need a driver's license. However, he must be familiar with the vehicle and its operation. In addition, only the distance from the scene of the accident to the nearest workshop, petrol station or parking lot is considered an emergency.
However, if a car is simply to be towed from one place to another without an emergency, class 2 is required according to the old driving license classes, since it is a more than three-axle combination. According to the new driving license classes, only class BE is required to tow another motor vehicle, as long as the towed motor vehicle does not exceed the permissible total weight of 3.5 t.
The license to drive a vehicle is not tied to the possession of the driver's license: it is the formal proof of the possession of the corresponding driver's license. However, it must always be carried with you when driving vehicles and presented to authorized persons on request.
- Anyone who has a driver's license and a driver's license but does not have their driver's license with them while driving is committing a traffic offense ( driving without a driver's license ).
- Anyone who has a driver's license but not the corresponding driver's license (for example, after the driver's license has been withdrawn ) commits a criminal offense when driving a motor vehicle ( driving without a driver's license ) and can expect much higher penalties.
- Anyone who has a driver's license but does not have a driver's license must expect that the determination of the driver's license will be time-consuming.
With the handover of the driver's license by the examiner on the day of the driving test, the driving license is considered to have been granted. The examiners therefore exerts with this act of a sovereign function. The timing of the two events contributed significantly to the general confusion of terms.
Grant requirements
The issuing of a driving license is bound to certain requirements.
An applicant for a driving license must:
- have a "normal" (= properly registered) place of residence in Germany.
- be in possession of a different driving license class for certain driving license classes (for class C, class B is required as a prior possession).
- have the required minimum age for the driving license class applied for.
- be suitable for driving motor vehicles (physically, mentally and in character).
- meet the requirements placed on their eyesight .
- have been instructed in life-saving emergency measures or have been trained in first aid .
- complete practical and theoretical driver training at a driving school in the prescribed scope.
- prove their competence in a driver training course and driving test.
In addition, he may not have any other driving license from an EU or EEA country.
If the applicant is only partially suitable for driving a motor vehicle, the driving license authority can restrict the driving license as far as necessary or issue it under the necessary conditions. The restriction can in particular extend to a certain type of vehicle or a certain vehicle with special facilities ( Section 23 of the Driving License Ordinance).
Issue after withdrawal
If a person would like to be authorized to drive a vehicle again after a driver's license has been withdrawn, a new driving license must be applied for. This is possible three months prior to the expiry of the waiting period. The driving license authority then checks whether certain requirements have to be met, for example whether a new driving license test (to prove qualification) or a medical-psychological examination (MPU) (to prove aptitude to drive vehicles) is required.
A new driving test is not generally necessary after the driving license has been withdrawn. According to Section 20 (2) FeV, the driving license authority only orders a driving license test in justified exceptional cases.
Zero alcohol limit
For novice drivers during the probationary period and for drivers under the age of 21, driving vehicles under the influence of alcoholic beverages is prohibited ( Section 24c of the Road Traffic Act ). It is always forbidden to drive vehicles with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.5 or more ( Section 24a of the Road Traffic Act).
Driving licenses from other EU countries
A driving license that has been legally obtained in one EU country is valid throughout the EU. The period of validity is determined by the rules of the issuing country. After moving to another EU country, an exchange is therefore possible, but not necessary until the driver's license expires.
Driving without a license
Driving a motor vehicle on public traffic without the valid driving license required for this vehicle, i.e. issued in the corresponding driving license class, is a criminal offense even in the case of negligence. Such an offense is also committed by anyone who has been prohibited from driving a vehicle that requires a driving license on public traffic in Germany (e.g. by driving a ban) or who has surrendered or lost his driving license in an ongoing procedure because of suspected criminal offense. Anyone who drives a vehicle that requires a license and does not have a license on public traffic is also violating insurance regulations, which is why the insurance company can reclaim its liability from the driver or remain exempt from a comprehensive insurance policy.
Only on private property that is closed off from public transport may - with the consent of the property owner also under civil law - be driven without a driving license, whereby the motor vehicle liability insurance remains free in the event of a claim.
International driving licence
The international driver's license can be applied for at the local driving license authority. The issuance takes place immediately. The validity is three years, but may not exceed the validity of the national driving license. The international driving license only entitles you to drive a motor vehicle abroad in conjunction with the valid national driving license, so both documents must be carried with you. For national driving licenses that are not issued in German outside the EU, an associated translation must also be regularly carried in Germany.
The following is required for the exhibition:
- A driver's license in credit card format, the older versions (gray, pink, GDR) must first be exchanged.
- If the driving license was not issued in the area of validity of the commissioned driving license office, you may need an extract from the local driving license register (a so-called "index card copy").
- ID card or passport
- Biometric photo
- The driving license authority charges a fee (approx. 16 euros).
The national EU driving license and the international driving license are accepted as an act of goodwill in many countries around the world, but both are rarely legally binding - most countries in which the international driving license is legally fully recognized are now EU members or have the EU Driving license law adopted into your national legislation and the German EU driving license is sufficient; Most other countries have not formally recognized the international driving license (according to the Vienna Convention) and only accept it (or the EU driving license) as an amicable act.
literature
- Peter Glowalla: The driver's license exchange - On the trail of our driver's licenses . Kirschbaum Verlag, Bonn 2006, ISBN 978-3-7812-1627-3 .
- Bernd Huppertz: Driving license law . VDP, Hilden 2015, ISBN 978-3-8011-0746-8 .
- Volker Kalus: Driving license law in practice. Manual . 1st edition. 2011, ZAP Verlag for legal and legal practice, ISBN 978-3-89655-518-2 .
- Michael Schué, Peter Glowalla, Jürgen Brauckmann: Handbook of driving license law . 3. Edition. Kirschbaum Verlag, Bonn 2008, ISBN 978-3-7812-1689-1 .
Web links
- all changes to the FeV due to the driver's license reform on January 19, 2013 at www.buzer.de
- Overview of the driving license classes from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
- Overview of the countries in which holders of German driving licenses have to carry the international driving license ( Memento of December 7, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Basic authorization requirement in Section 4, Paragraph 1, Clause 1 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV) and obligation to provide evidence in Section 4, Paragraph 2, Clause 1 of the FeV, followed by the exceptions
- ↑ § 6 Driving License Ordinance (FeV): Driving license classes. Retrieved September 1, 2019 .
- ↑ § 6 Paragraph 3 FeV
- ↑ Section 4 (1) sentence 2 no. 1 FeV
- ↑ § 4 Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 3 FeV
- ↑ § 4 Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 2 FeV
- ↑ § 4 Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 1b FeV
- ↑ buzer.de 11th FeVuaÄndV
- ↑ Eleventh regulation amending the driving license regulation and other road traffic regulations (December 21, 2016)
- ↑ adac.de No more throttled big bikes with A2 (as of April 2, 2017)
- ↑ https://www.adac.de/verkehr/rund-um-den-fuehrerschein/aktuelles/fahren-ab-15/
- ↑ Extended model experiment: Class AM from 15 . adac.de. May 2, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ↑ State cabinet of North Rhine-Westphalia approves AM driving license at the age of 15 on She is a Rider
- ↑ Law and Ordinance Gazette for the State of Hesse . tape 2020 , no. 39 .
- ^ Fifth law amending the Road Traffic Act
- ↑ Decision of the Federal Council ( Memento of June 13, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF)
- ↑ Second Driving Authorization Ordinance Baden-Württemberg Retrieved September 15, 2017
- ↑ Bavarian Driving Authorization Ordinance ( Memento from November 19, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 115 kB), Bavarian State Government, September 1, 2011
- ↑ a b Ordinance on the granting of a driving license to members of the voluntary fire brigade, the technical relief organization and other units of the disaster control (Fahrrechteverordnung - FahrBV) of April 24, 2012 . Retrieved December 29, 2012
- ↑ Hessian ordinance on the granting of a driving license to members of the volunteer fire brigade ... from July 1, 2010
- ↑ Ordinance on the granting of driving authorizations to members of the voluntary fire brigade, the recognized rescue services and the technical support services , version dated February 25, 2010
- ↑ Information from the Schleswig-Holstein State Fire Brigade School from September 2011, last accessed on July 25, 2013
- ↑ border grotesque by firefighters on ORF from January 2, 2013, accessed on January 2, 2013.
- ↑ German fire brigade driving licenses are now recognized in Austria on Fireworld from April 17, 2013, accessed on April 24, 2013.
- ↑ Ordinance on the admission of people to road traffic (Driver's License Ordinance - FeV)
- ↑ Changes to the driving license law from January 19, 2013 ( Memento from March 19, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 814 kB).
- ↑ Eleventh ordinance amending the driving license ordinance and other road traffic regulations. (PDF) Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, December 28, 2016, p. 4 , accessed on February 9, 2017 : “After paragraph 3, the following paragraph 3a is inserted:“ (3a) The class B driving license is also issued for driving of three-wheeled motor vehicles in Germany, in the case of a motor vehicle with an engine power of more than 15 kW, however, only if the holder of the driving license is at least 21 years old. ""
- ↑ Gebhard L. Heiler: FeV with construction errors? The trike raises questions. July 2013, accessed February 9, 2017 .
- ↑ Legal bases §§ 48-63 StVG , on transitional regulations § 65 StVG.
- ↑ http://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/politik/themen/Berlin-Fuehrerschein;art2825,6188701
- ↑ Directive 2006/126 / EC Regulation on the exchange period in Art. 3 Para. 3
- ↑ Appendix 8e to Section 24a, Paragraph 2, Sentence 1 of the Driving License Regulation
- ↑ Rechtswörtbuch.de - the large online legal dictionary & legal lexicon
- ^ Regulation inserted by Art. 1 of the law introducing a ban on alcohol for novice drivers of July 19, 2007 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 1460 ) m. W. v. August 1, 2007.
- ↑ Validity of driving licenses from other EU countries
- ↑ Section 21, Paragraph 1, Clause 1, 1st half-sentence StVG as a breach of the basic driver's license requirement of Section 4, Paragraph 1, Clause 1 FeV, Section 21, Paragraph 1, Clause 1 2nd half sentence of the StVG in the event of a violation of the driving ban, in the event of negligence § 21 Paragraph 2 No. 1 StVG and when driving after taking over the driver's license in official custody due to criminal proceedings, § 21 para. 2 no. 2 StVG
- ↑ wochenblatt.com Driving without a license? Weekly newspaper for agriculture and rural life, April 19, 2012, accessed November 19, 2015.
- ↑ International driver's license, Berlin Citizens' Registration Office
- ↑ stadt-kassel.de
- ↑ § 4 Paragraph 2 Sentence 3 FeV with § 29 Paragraph 2 Sentence 2 FeV with references to exceptions
- ↑ Office24
- ↑ Citizens' Registration Office Berlin regarding copy of the index card
- ↑ No. 207, No. 126.2 of Annex 1 GebOSt: Fee schedule for measures in road traffic. Retrieved September 1, 2019 .
