Documents service
What documents do you need for your driving licence?
Select your situation and get the relevant checklist for Frankfurt. You’ll see which documents you need, what you need to do for FAHRPLAN, and where to submit your driving licence application.
For Frankfurt am Main · last reviewed by subject matter experts: 3 August 2026
Here is how you proceed
Three steps to the completed application
Register for FAHRPLAN
We check with you which training course and which documents fit your situation – and prepare the driving school details for your application.
Prepare documents
You gather the required evidence. Depending on the case, additional forms may be required – the checklists below will show you exactly which ones.
submit driving licence application
You should submit your application via the channel specified for your case – in Frankfurt, either online or at the Citizens’ Office, depending on the circumstances; for licence conversions, at the Driving Licence Office.
Choose your situation
Five cases, five checklists
My first driving licence
For example category B, B197 or B78 – the complete first-time application.
Accompanying driving from 17
First issue with additional documents for legal guardians and accompanying persons.
Change driving school
Correctly transfer training already completed and your examination file.
Convert a foreign driving licence
The documents depend on the country of issue and your personal case.
You want to ride a motorcycle (A1, A2, A)? The documents are the same as for a first driving licence – training is provided via our Motorcycle riding school.
You already hold a German driving licence and only need to exchange the old document for the current card licence? You do not need a driving school for that – everything on deadlines, costs and the procedure: Guide: exchanging your driving licence
Checklist · Frankfurt am Main
First driving licence
Generally speaking, you need that.
- ✓ Always required
Identity card or passport - ✓ Always required
A recent biometric photograph measuring 35 × 45 mm. For the paper application, you will need a suitable paper photograph (local authority offices do not take photographs for driving licence applications); when applying online for the first time, the photograph must be submitted digitally in accordance with the online service’s specifications - ✓ Always required
Eye test by an optician or ophthalmologist – must be no more than two years old at the time of application (§ 12 FeV)
More about the driving licence eye test - ✓ Always required
Certificate of completion of the first aid course (9 units of 45 minutes each) – the certificate is valid indefinitely by law
Additionally in your case
- ○ Only if it applies to you
Current certificate of registration (no older than 3 months) if you are only identifying yourself with a passport – without this, a fee-based address enquiry may be necessary - ○ Only if it applies to you
Valid residence permit if you do not come from an EU country - ○ Only if it applies to you
For motorcycle classes: Details about our Motorcycle riding school
You can sort that out with FAHRPLAN
- ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Application form “Driving licence – First issue” with the driving school details and the driving school stamp – therefore register with us first, then go to the authority - ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Your training programme: B197, standard Class B or B78 – our Driving licence finder helps with the choice
This is where you submit the application
Option 1 – completely online: Via the city’s official online service Frankfurt (ID with online functionality + PIN required). You upload your photo, signature and supporting documents digitally – all documents must be available immediately. No on-site visit necessary.
Method 2 – in person at the Bürgeramt: At any Frankfurt citizens’ office. Walk-in service is available on Mondays and Wednesdays; an appointment is required on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Exception: the Fechenheim, Kalbach, Harheim and Nieder-Erlenbach branch offices only accept visitors with an appointment. First-time D-category applications are submitted only to the driving licence authority. For a paper application, you can submit missing documents within 12 months as stated on the application form.
Administration fee: €45.90 · Application can be submitted no earlier than 6 months before the minimum age · Processing time: according to the city, Frankfurt, an average of 8 weeks; in our experience, usually 6 to 8 weeks. If you do not live in Frankfurt, the driving licence authority for your main place of residence is responsible.
Your next step: Register for FAHRPLAN · Which driving licence is right for me? · Go to the city’s official online application form Frankfurt ↗ · Download the official paper application ↗
Checklist · Frankfurt am Main
Supervised driving from the age of 17 (BF17)
BF17 requires all documents for the initial issue (“First Driving Licence” checklist) – plus the documents for your accompanying drivers. You can submit your application from the age of 16½ at the earliest – and you must do so in person at the Citizens’ Office; the city does not offer an online option for BF17.
Also for BF17
- ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Supplementary application “Accompanying driving” – with the consent of your parents or guardians - ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Official form for each accompanying person ↗ – containing the details and signature of the accompanying person - ✓ Always required
For each accompanying person: a copy of the front and back of their valid driving licence - ○ Only if it applies to you
A copy of the index card from the issuing authority if an accompanying person still holds a German paper driving licence issued outside Frankfurts (available free of charge)
Your companions must meet these requirements
- ✓ Always required
At least 30 years old (Section 48a FeV) - ✓ Always required
Held a category B driving licence for at least 5 years - ✓ Always required
A maximum of 1 point in the Driver Fitness Register
Fee: €63.00 with one accompanying person, each additional accompanying person €8.40 extra. Who signs what? We will go through that together during registration.
Your next step: Everything you need to know about BF17 · Register for FAHRPLAN
Checklist · Frankfurt am Main
Upgrade driving licence (e.g. to BE)
The most common case: you have a category B licence and want BE driving licence for heavy trailers to add. The documents vary depending on the target class – here is the standard case; we will clarify any specifics with you.
Generally speaking, you need that.
- ✓ Always required
Identity card or passport (with registration certificate if applicable, see above) - ✓ Always required
Your previous driving licence - ✓ Always required
A recent biometric passport photograph (35 × 45 mm) - ○ Only if it applies to you
A new eyesight test only if the test already submitted is more than two years old when you apply
Good to know
- ○ Only if it applies to you
First aid: If you have already completed training under § 19 para. 1 FeV, § 19 para. 2 FeV does not require you to repeat it. An old certificate is not automatically a mandatory document - ○ Only if it applies to you
Index card transcription, if your paper driving licence was issued by a different authority - ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Application form “Driving Licence – Extension” with driving school details and stamp - ○ Only if it applies to you
For lorry and bus licences, medical examinations are also required – please get in touch with us
Application procedure: Apply in person at a citizens’ office (the city’s online service is only for first-time applications). Exceptions: B96, B196, D and DE are handled only by the driving licence authority. You can find the current amount of the administrative fee directly on the City of Frankfurt service page ↗. The city states an average processing time of 8 weeks; in our experience it is usually 6 to 8 weeks.
Your next step: Everything about category BE · Motorcycle categories (motorcycle website) ↗ · Request consultation · Download the official extension application ↗
Checklist · Frankfurt am Main
Change driving school
Training that has already been completed and documented can usually be taken into account. We will work with you to determine which theory topics, driving lessons and special training drives can be credited – and whether your current driving licence application can simply be carried forward.
This is what you bring to the table
- ✓ Always required
Your ID card for the registration interview - ✓ Always required
Training record from your previous driving school – with theory topics attended and special training drives completed (collect in person from there) - ○ Only if it applies to you
Details of your driving licence application, if already submitted (when, where) - ○ Only if it applies to you
Reference or applicant number of the testing body, if you have it
We'll sort that out together
- ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Where your exam file is located and what steps are necessary for the transfer - ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Your current level of training – and how you can continue your training at FAHRPLAN - ★ Available from FAHRPLAN
Whether proofs are required again for a new or amended application – the eye test certificate must fundamentally not be older than two years when the application is submitted
Your next step: Everything about changing driving schools · Request transfer
Checklist · Frankfurt am Main
Convert a foreign driving licence
Which documents and tests are necessary depends on the country of issue (EU/EEA, Annex 11 state or other third country) – the following list serves as a guide. The quickest answer for your country is given by our Quick check on the licence exchange page.
EU/EEA driving licence
- ✓ EU/EEA
Identity card or passport; a current registration certificate if required - ✓ EU/EEA
Foreign driving licence in the original plus a copy - ✓ EU/EEA
Current biometric passport photo (35 × 45 mm) - ✓ EU/EEA
Personal appointment at the driving licence authority · administrative fee up to 38.30 €. A translation, eyesight test and first-aid certificate are not blanket requirements for this group
Annex 11 country or other third country
Annex 11 country:
- Identity card or passport, current registration certificate and valid residence permit where required
- Foreign driving licence in the original plus a copy, translation and current biometric photo
- Proof of the issue date if it is not shown on the licence
- Administrative fee up to 45.90 €. Whether an exam is waived depends exclusively on the country and licence category listed in Annex 11 FeV
Other third country:
- Identity and residence documents, original foreign driving licence plus a copy, translation and current biometric photo
- Driving school application, first-aid certificate and eyesight test
- Administrative fee up to 45.90 €; a simultaneous B197 application costs an additional 28.60 €
- Check your country and exam requirements first: Quick check
Application procedure: Licence conversion – unlike the initial application – is handled in person at the Frankfurt driving licence office. You present your foreign driving licence in the original – the German licence is generally issued only when you surrender the foreign licence; the authority will explain the exact process for your case. The quick check is a preliminary check linked by the City of Frankfurt: Quick check on foreign driving licences ↗ (non-binding).
Your next step: Start the quick check · Open the preliminary check linked by the City of Frankfurt ↗ · Request consultation · Download the official conversion application ↗
Digital rather than the local authority
Apply for a driving licence online in Frankfurt
For the Initial purchase The city of Frankfurt offers an official online application: You’ll need your ID card with the online function (eID) activated, along with your PIN; you’ll upload a photo, your signature and supporting documents digitally, and pay online – there’s no need to attend an in-person appointment. Important: All documents must be submitted immediately when applying online, and you’ll be asked for your driving school details – so please register with us first. The following cannot be processed via the online service: BF17 (in-person visit to the Citizens’ Office), adding a licence class and licence conversions. If you do not live in Frankfurt, the authority responsible for your main place of residence will handle your case – using its own services.
Good to know
Five common mistakes – and how to avoid them
Eye test: too old
It must not be more than two years old at the time of application (Section 12 of the FeV) – don’t take it too early.
Driving school enrolment and application to the authorities confused
These are two separate processes: first, you need to register with FAHRPLAN (training contract), then you need to apply for a driving licence with the local council – using the details provided by our driving school.
Incorrect application procedure
Only a first-time application is available online. BF17 applications are submitted in person at a citizens’ office. Licence extensions are generally submitted at a citizens’ office; B96, B196, D and DE are handled only by the driving licence authority. Conversions are also handled by the driving licence authority.
BF17 documentation incomplete
The form or a front-and-back copy of an accompanying person’s valid driving licence is often missing – as is the record extract for German paper licences issued outside Frankfurt.
Photo unsuitable
It must be a recent biometric photograph (35 × 45 mm) – for paper applications, this must be a printed photograph (the local authority offices do not take photographs on site for this purpose); for online applications, it must be a digital photograph in accordance with the service’s specifications.
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions about the documents
Yes, that’s the sensible first step: the driving licence application form asks for details of your driving school – there’s a separate space for a stamp on the paper application form, and you’ll be asked for these details on the online application form as well. We’ll prepare the details for the Registration with you.
Yes – for first-time applications, via the city's official online service (ID card with online function required, all documents digital, no in-person appointment). BF17, extensions and conversions still have to be done in person.
In Frankfurt, submit a first-time application at any citizens’ office or online. Walk-in service is available on Mondays and Wednesdays; an appointment is required on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Fechenheim, Kalbach, Harheim and Nieder-Erlenbach branch offices work by appointment only. First-time D-category applications and foreign-licence conversions are handled by the driving licence authority. If you do not live in Frankfurt, the authority at your main residence is responsible (§ 73 FeV).
At the time of application, a maximum of two years (§ 12 para. 7 FeV). The first-aid certificate, on the other hand, is valid indefinitely by law.
With a paper application, yes – the city's application form allows up to 12 months for this. With an online application, on the other hand, all documents must be available digitally straight away.
The city of Frankfurt quotes an average of 8 weeks; in our experience, it is usually between 6 and 8 weeks. You should therefore submit your application as early as possible – you can start your theory lessons and driving lessons in the meantime. (As at 3 August 2026)
As the requirements depend on the country of issue: different rules on recognition and conversion apply to valid EU and EEA driving licences than to those from third countries – if a conversion is necessary or desired, no driving tests are generally required in such cases. For Annex 11 countries and other third countries, depending on the country, theory and/or practical tests, along with further evidence, may be required. Our Quick check shows you your case in seconds.
Next step
Are the documents unclear? Let’s go through the list together
Pop into one of our four branches with your ID, or get in touch with no obligation – we’ll assess your situation, prepare your driving school details and tell you exactly what you still need to do.