From registration to getting your driving licence
This is how you get your driving licence
From the initial visit to passing the test – every step explained, with the deadlines and fees that actually apply. To register, your identity card is sufficient.
How long does that take? · The eight stations · Registration and application · If it doesn’t go to plan · Frequently Asked Questions
The timeframe
How long will the whole thing take?
How long it takes to get your driving licence depends on your progress, regular driving lessons, the administrative process and the available test dates. Submit the initial application early – You will not be admitted to the theory test until the relevant authority has processed your application.
| Registration | Without an appointment during consultation hours |
| Theory | Joining is possible on any class evening, Monday to Friday in Bockenheim |
| Practice | We’ll agree the start with you when you register |
| authority | Processing by the City of Frankfurt, in our experience usually 6 to 8 weeks |
| Exams | as soon as you are ready for the test and the authority has approved your application, we’ll book the next available date with you |
Breaks are possible. You learn most easily in one go – then everything sticks more quickly.
The guide provides a detailed timetable with real-life scenarios How long does it really take to get a driving licence? If you are still unsure about the class, help Driving licence categories in Germany and the comparison B197 or manual.
Step by step
The eight stations
Drop by
Without an appointment, during any consultation hour, in one of our four branches. All you need to bring is your identity card – and the questions you’d like answers to. In the case of minors, parents usually come along; at BF17, it’s often the parents who receive most of the advice.
Advice and registration
About 20 minutes, with no pressure to buy. We’ll help you work out which option is right for you – classic Class B, B197 or B78 – and whether BF17 suits you. Your registration is then valid at all four locations: you are free to decide where you get advice and where you have driving lessons, and you may also mix them. You can choose to attend theory lessons at any of the branches that offer theory lessons – Monday to Friday with two topics per evening at our intensive-course branch in Bockenheim; the dates are in the theory schedule. You can read more about accompanied driving in the guide Driving licence at 17 (BF17).
Application to the authorities
You can apply for your first driving licence in Frankfurt submit online – we'll explain to you when you register which documents you need for it. You need an eye test, a biometric passport photo and a first aid certificate for the application to the authorities, not yet for registration with us. Exactly which documents are required is listed on the page Documents and paperwork. Furthermore, the guide describes the exact procedure for the application. Apply for a driving licence.
Theory lessons (in German)
For category B it is 14 double lessons of 90 minutes each: twelve on the core material, two on category B. Lessons are held Monday to Friday, 6 pm to 9 pm. You can join on any of these evenings – there are no fixed course start dates and no prescribed order. You can make up for missed evenings whenever it suits you – at the locations listed in the theory schedule. An iPad is available for learning at our branches that offer theory lessons. How best to prepare is shown by the 3-week study plan.
Driving lessons
Alongside the theory. You take practice lessons as needed – there is no legal minimum number for them. The law prescribes the twelve special training drives of 45 minutes each and, for B197, at least ten lessons in a manual car as well. If you need to cancel an appointment, we need to know 24 hours in advance. How the first driving lesson goes and how many Driving lessons you really need, our guides explain. What to do with Special training drives happens, it says there as well.
Test order and theory test
As soon as the authority has concluded your procedure, the test order goes directly to us – you don't need to worry about anything. We'll get in touch with you via WhatsApp, as soon as the paperwork arrives. After that, you book your exam date with us: we reserve slots with the TÜV every week. The exam includes 30 questions, passed with at most ten error points – with one exception: anyone who answers two five-point questions incorrectly has failed, even with exactly ten points. You can take it in German or in a foreign language. Beforehand, you take a free practice test with us. Fee: €24.99 – you pay it with a TÜV voucher that you buy online beforehand and bring along to the test. After you register for the test with us, you receive all the details and the link by WhatsApp – for both the theory and the practical test. You can find everything about the test itself in the guide Driving licence theory test.
Practical test
In the usual driving school car, with your driving instructor on board. It lasts 55 minutes, of which at least 30 minutes is actual driving time. Fee: €129.83, also paid with a TÜV voucher. When the practical test takes place depends on how ready you are and on the available test dates. What is tested is explained in Category B basic driving tasks, tips for exam day Practical test: the best tips.
Pass the test and receive your driving entitlement
After passing the practical test, you will receive the one intended for your case Driving licence. Depending on the administrative procedure, you will be issued the photocard driving licence or a provisional certificate.
At BF17 you will receive the examination certificate first – the probationary period begins with its issuance. With the regular acquisition of category B, it begins with the issue of the driving licence.
One exception: anyone who has a Convert a foreign driving licence has it done, then goes to the driving licence office and surrenders the old driving licence there. What is important immediately after passing the test is explained in the guide Passed! And now?
Often confused
Registration and an application are two different things
Enrolment at the driving school
Just your identity card. If you are there early enough, you will be sitting in the theory session that same evening.
Application to the authorities
You’ll need an eye test, a biometric passport photo and proof of first-aid training only at this stage – and we’ll help you with that. You can do the eye test and first-aid course with a provider in your area. More about the driving licence eye test
Two deadlines that hardly anyone is aware of
Twelve months between exams. Once you have passed the theory test, you must sit the practical test within twelve months – otherwise the theory test will no longer be valid (Section 18(2) of the FeV).
At the earliest six months in advance. You can submit your application six months before your relevant birthday. You may sit the theory test three months beforehand, and the practical test one month beforehand.
You can find all the relevant checklists on the page Documents and paperwork.
Who gets money and when?
Other costs involved alongside driving lessons
Besides the driving school, you pay three other organisations – at different times:
| City of Frankfurt when submitting an application | 45,90 € BF17 with one accompanying person: €63.00 (€54.60 basic fee + €8.40 per accompanying person) |
| TÜV theory test in advance with a TÜV voucher bought online | 24,99 € |
| TÜV practical test in advance with a TÜV voucher bought online | 129,83 € |
| eye test, first aid, passport photo external providers | depending on the provider |
The fee that applies at the time of the test is the one you pay. With BF17, registering the accompanying persons can give rise to additional fees.
The cost of training with us can be found on the page Prices. You can find a detailed sample calculation with all items at How much does a driving licence cost.
It happens
If an exam doesn't go to plan
Then you keep practising and sit the test again. A retake is possible at the earliest after two weeks – the actual date also depends on your preparation and the available exam slots. A three-month ban, which you sometimes hear about, does not exist.
In the meantime, you carry on driving as normal. How many practice lessons are advisable until then is something you discuss with your driving instructor.
Each time you retake the test, the driving school’s test presentation fee and the TÜV fee are charged again.
The guidebook describes the entire procedure for the second attempt Failed your driving test – what now?
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions about the process
Your identity card – and the questions you want answered. You only need the eye test, passport photo and first-aid certificate later for the official application.
You can join on any evening of classes, Monday to Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm. If you register in time, it's often possible to start the very same evening.
We’ll agree the start with you when you register – to fit your schedule.
No. There is no fixed order and no minimum interval. You make up missed evenings whenever it suits you – in the branches listed in the theory schedule.
Yes, that works. You learn most easily in one go – then everything sticks more quickly.
The City of Frankfurt determines the processing time and it depends on the workload. Therefore, submit the application as early as possible – you will only be admitted to the theory test after that. As soon as we receive the test order, we will contact you via WhatsApp.
Please let us know up to 24 hours in advance. For later cancellations, the lesson will be charged according to your training agreement.
Once you have passed the practical test, you receive the proof of driving entitlement provided for your case. That can be the prepared photocard licence or an interim proof. With BF17 you first receive the test certificate.
Next step
Just pop round
Drop in to one of our four branches without an appointment during any consultation time. We will walk you through the process, work out the right option for you and tell you honestly when you can get started. Whether you register or not is entirely up to you.
Register your interest without obligation · Branch near you · Frequently Asked Questions · 069 66055075