As of January 19, 2013, there are 16 types of driving licenses in Germany, divided into 5 different categories. Several types of driving licenses can be categorized under the same category. The types and categories of driving licenses in Germany and throughout the EU are the same. Our goal is to make sure you have a very clear understanding of each and every license category and type.
By the way, we have written a detailed article about how to get a German driving license and what if you’re caught driving without a license?
Types of Driving Licenses in Germany
There are 16 different types of driving licenses in Germany and the EU.
- AM
- A1
- A2
- A
- B
- BE
- C1
- C1E
- C
- CE
- D1
- D1E
- D
- DE
- L
- T
Driving License Categories in Germany
A driving license can be classified into five different categories. We’ll look at the types of licenses that fall into each of these categories. If you’re finding it difficult to pass your practical driving test, we have compiled a list of 14 tips and tricks to pass the German driver’s license.
#1 Motorcycle and Moped License
Moped and motorcycle licenses come in the following classes: AM, A1, A2, and A. Since 31.12.2019, it has been possible to drive class A1 vehicles (only) domestically with a class B passenger car driver’s license. This requires driver training and five years of previous possession of a passenger car driving license. The minimum age is 25 years.
AM
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 16 years |
| AM class also includes | None |
Two-wheeled motor vehicles with a top design speed of not more than 45 km/h, a continuous power/net power rating of no more than 4 kW, and an internal combustion engine with no more than 50cc.
Three-wheel mopeds with no more than 2 seats, a maximum design speed of no more than 45 km/h, rated power of no more than 4 kW, a maximum unladen mass of 270 kg, and a spark-ignition engine with a combustion engine of not more than 50cc.
Light four-wheel on-road quads with a rated continuous power not exceeding 4 kW and light quadricycles with a rated continuous power not more than 6 kW, each with not more than 2 seats, a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h, a maximum unladen mass of 425 kg and a spark-ignition engine with a displacement of not more than 50cc or a compression-ignition engine with a displacement of not more than 500 cm³.
A1
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 16 years |
| A1 class also includes | AM classes |
Motorcycles with a displacement of not more than 125cc and an engine power of not more than 11 kW, where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, as well as three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 15 kW.
A2
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| A2 class also includes | AM and A1 classes |
A comprehensive guide to getting your A2 driving license.
Those motorcycles with a maximum power output of 35 kW, with a power-to-unladen weight ratio of not more than 0.2 kW/kg, are not derived from a motorcycle with a power output greater than 70 kW.
A
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years |
| A class also includes | A2, A1, and AM classes |
Motorcycles (including side-cars) exceeding 50cc in engine size or that exceed 45 km/h in speed, or that exceed 0.2 kW/kg in power.
Vehicles with three wheels that exceed 15 kW with a symmetrical arrangement of the wheels and an engine displacement exceeding 50cc in internal combustion engines or at a maximum design speed exceeding 45 kph.
A motor vehicle with an engine power greater than 15kW and a displacement greater than 50cc.
After taking a practical exam, someone with an A2 license for at least two years can get a Class A license. With this license, only motor vehicles of class A may be driven.
The minimum age requirement for an A2 class is 24 years (for direct entry) or 20 years (with at least 2 years of A2 experience).
In order to operate a three-wheeled motor vehicle of the A2 class, you must be 21 years old.
#2 Passenger Car License
A passenger car may be used to tow trailers up to the maximum permissible gross weight (750 kg) of the towing vehicle, and a truck with a continuous braking system may be used to tow trailers up to 1.5 times the maximum permissible gross weight of the towing vehicle.
B
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| B class also includes | AM and L classes |
Motor vehicles – with the exception of motor vehicles in classes AM, A1, A2, and A – with a permissible total mass of no more than 3,500 kg and with no more than 8 seats apart from the driver’s seat (also with a trailer with a permissible total mass of no more than 750 kg or a heavy trailer, provided the combination’s permissible total mass does not exceed 3,500 kg).
Also – only in Germany – three-wheeled motor vehicles (with a motor output of more than 15 kW, but only if the holder of the driving license is at least 21 years old).
BE
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| BE class also includes | AM and L classes |
Combinations of a class B towing vehicle and a trailer provided the permissible total mass of the trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg.
#3 Truck License
Class C entitles the holder to drive motor vehicles – except for motor vehicles in classes AM, A1, A2, A, D1, and D – with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500 kg and with no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat (including trailers with a weight of no more than 750 kg).
If the motor vehicle is built and designed for passenger transport, it may no longer be driven with class C – regardless of the number of passenger seats. Trailers over 750 kg permissible total mass require a class CE driver’s license.
C1
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| C1 class also includes | None |
Motor vehicles – except motor vehicles of the classes A1, A2, A, D1, and D – with a permissible total mass of more than 3,500 kg, but no more than 7,500 kg and with no more than 8 seats except the driver’s seat (also with a trailer with a permissible total mass of no more than 750 kg).
If the motor vehicle is built and designed for passenger transport, it may no longer be driven with class C1 – regardless of the number of passenger seats.
C1E
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| C1E class also includes | BE and D1E classes, if the holder is authorized to drive vehicles in category D1. |
It is a combination of a towing vehicle of class C1 and a trailer weighing more than 750 kg or of class B and a trailer weighing more than 3,500 kg, provided that the maximum permissible weight of the combination does not exceed 12,000 kg in each case.
If the motor vehicle is built and designed for passenger transport, it may no longer be driven with class C1E – regardless of the number of passenger seats.
C
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| C class also includes | C1 classes |
A large truck with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500 kg (no restriction upwards) and with no more than 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat (including trailers with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 750 kg).
If the motor vehicle is built and designed for passenger transport, it may no longer be driven with class C – regardless of the number of passenger seats.
CE
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 18 years |
| CE class also includes | BE, C1E, T, and D1E, if the holder is authorized to drive vehicles in categories D1 and DE. |
A large truck with trailer Combinations of a towing vehicle of class C and a trailer with a maximum permissible weight of more than 750 kg.
#4 Bus License
Buses and coaches have had their own driver’s license classes since 1999. For bus driver’s licenses acquired for the first time since Jan. 19, 2013, the number of seats available is no longer considered but rather the manufacturer’s design. This does not apply to bus driver’s licenses issued before 19.1.2013.
Thus, the driver’s license class D is required to drive motor vehicles designed and built to carry more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. For buses and coaches up to 8 m in length, designed and built to take more than eight and not more than 16 passengers (including trailers with a maximum gross weight of 750 kg), class D1 is required. Trailers with more than 750 kg maximum permissible gross weight require a class DE or D1E driver’s license.
D1
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years |
| D1 class also includes | None |
Buses up to 8 m in length, designed and built to carry no more than 16 persons in addition to the driver (including trailers with a maximum permissible gross weight of no more than 750 kg). If the vehicle is designed and built for passenger transport, a class D1 license is required.
D1E
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years |
| D1E class also includes | BE and C1E, if the holder is authorized to drive vehicles in category C1. |
Combination of class D1 driving license and trailer. Buses with at least eight but no more than sixteen seats, and trailers with a gross weight above 750 kilograms. A trailer loaded with passengers must not weigh more than an empty bus. A combined bus and trailer mass cannot exceed 12,000 kilograms.
Prior ownership of a class D1 license is a prerequisite for obtaining this license.
D
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years |
| D class also includes | D1 classes |
All buses that have more than 16 seats and trailers with a gross vehicle weight of up to 750 kg, and you must already have a B license.
DE
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years |
| DE class also includes | D1E and BE classes, if owned by a C1 or C1E license holder. |
Combination of buses and trailers with a maximum permissible weight of more than 750 kg
#5 Tractor and Forklift License
Until 30.6.2012, driving license class L was limited to the maximum design speed of 32 km/h. All holders of this class will benefit from the extension to 40 km/h.
Class L driving licenses are only valid for agricultural or forestry purposes; the purpose limitation does not apply to driving licenses issued before 1999. Class L also includes self-propelled machines, forklifts, and other industrial trucks up to 25 km/h, along with trailers.
L
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 16 years |
| L class also includes | None |
A tractor with a maximum design speed of 40 km/h, or 25 km/h if it is equipped with a trailer, is intended for use in agriculture or forestry.
Self-propelled working machines, feed mixers, forklifts, and industrial trucks, each with a maximum speed of 25 km/h (also with trailers).
T
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 16 years. Only tractors up to 40 km/h are allowed till the age of 18. |
| T class also includes | L classes |
Agricultural or forestry tractors with a maximum design speed of up to 60 km/h as well as self-propelled working machines.
Fodder mixing vehicles with a maximum design speed of up to 40 km/h, are intended for use for agricultural or forestry purposes according to their design.
The speed is including the trailers.
You can see the official document about various driving courses and their rules covered by ADAC.
