B 17 - DRIVER'S LICENSE AT 17 YEARS OLD

When participating in accompanied driving from 17 years old

The minimum age for obtaining a driver's license in classes B and BE (car) will be lowered to 17 years. Driving school training can therefore begin earlier.

The young novice driver receives a test certificate as proof of driving permission domestically after successfully passing the driving test, which is valid for a maximum of three months after reaching the age of 18.

However, until the 18th birthday, they may only drive the car in the company of a person named in the test certificate. The accompanying person must meet certain requirements (see details under requirements).

The accompanying person is the point of contact for the young novice driver during the drive and should provide advice and guidance if necessary. In this way, the novice driver is to gain first experiences in road traffic under the guidance of an experienced companion. However, the young novice driver remains the responsible operator of the vehicle.

Upon reaching the age of 18, the young driver then receives (upon request) the EU card driving license, which is valid throughout Europe.

Requirements

The young novice driver


  • may begin training at a driving school at the age of 16.5
  • requires parental consent for both participation in accompanied driving and for the appointment of accompanying persons
  • may take the theoretical exam no earlier than three months and the practical exam no earlier than one month before turning 17
  • must fulfill all requirements for obtaining a driver’s license (particularly regarding suitability, training, and examination) with the exception of the differing minimum age (here 17 years) and the differing deadlines for training and examination
  • may drive in Germany only together with an accompanying person named in the exam certificate until their 18th birthday; multiple accompanying persons can be listed in the exam certificate
  • must replace the exam certificate with the EU card driving license within three months after their 18th birthday.


The accompanying person


  • must be named in the exam certificate
  • must be over 30 years old
  • must have held a valid EU/EEA or Swiss driver’s license of class B (car) for at least five years
  • must not have more than one point in the driving aptitude register in Flensburg at the time of applying for the driver’s license and
  • must observe the “0.5‰ limit” for alcohol and the prohibition of drugs while accompanying.

ONLINE PREPARATION

for the theoretical and practical exam with our apps Fahren Lernen and Drivers Cam included in the package. With the guided learning path, you are optimally prepared for the theoretical and practical exam.