Honestly calculated rather than sugar-coated
What does a driving licence really cost?
Why nobody can know the final price in advance, what drives the cost of your training up – and what you can do yourself to avoid unnecessary costs.
The final price depends primarily on how many practice lessons you need. Compulsory components and unit prices are fixed and can be planned – your personal training requirements and any resits are not. Here you can see both separated, with real figures.
Briefly explained
The short answer first
The total cost depends primarily on the number of your regular training sessions. Compulsory components and individual costs can largely be planned for – but your personal readiness for the exam cannot. An analysis published in 2025 by the industry association MOVING, covering 250,044 Class B training courses completed in 2024, found that average training costs were around €3,424 – ranging from around €2,430 in Berlin to around €4,150 in Hamburg (response from the Federal Government, Parliamentary Paper 21/1139). The official examination fees charged by the examination bodies (TÜV and DEKRA) were not included in this figure. This figure is based on a survey conducted by the association for nationwide guidance; it is not a binding total price or a fixed price: the actual amount varies significantly depending on the region, driving school, training programme and the amount of practice required.
To help you make sense of all the figures on this page: As stipulated in the Driving Instructors Act, driving lesson prices are quoted per 45-minute unit to facilitate comparison. A standard driving lesson at FAHRPLAN lasts 90 minutes and corresponds to two billing units.
Planbar
Basic fee, special training drives, test fees, TÜV fees and authority charges
Individual
Regular practice lessons and additional test preparation
Influencable
Regularity, preparation, early documentation and the right time for the exam
The honest answer
Why the final price remains open
Our individual prices are fixed. The only open question is how many normal lessons you will need until you are safely ready for the test. That is why we show you all the individual costs instead of promising a total price that might later turn out to be incorrect.
These are the components of the driving licence
Predictable costs and individual costs – cleanly separated
✓ Largely predictable (Class B, manual gearbox)
| Basic fee (incl. all theory lessons) | €439* |
| 12 special driving lessons à 45 mins (5 rural road, 4 motorway, 3 night) | 12 × €82 |
| Presenting you for the theory test (fee) | €110 |
| Presenting you for the practical test (fee) | €135 |
| TÜV fee, theory test (payable to TÜV) | €21.49 |
| TÜV fee, practical test (payable to TÜV) | €129.83 |
| Driving licence application, City of Frankfurt | €45.90 |
| Eye test · First aid course · biometric passport photo (external, depending on provider) | approx. €35–€120 |
| Optional: Theory learning app | €40 |
* Standard prices for Class B with manual gearbox (as at 2 August 2026); prices for automatic versions vary slightly; the B197 combines the best of both worlds – details on the Pricing page. Time-limited promotions can reduce the total amount, but are deliberately not included here.
⟳ Individual – depends on you
| Standard training sessions of 45 mins - one driving lesson (90 mins) = 2 sessions | Quantity × €74 |
| Additional exam preparation | as needed |
| Theory retest (TÜV fee + presentation fee) | per attempt |
| Practical retest (TÜV fee + presentation fee) | per attempt |
| Refresher lessons after long breaks | as needed |
Fully costed with transparent breakdown
Sample calculations for category B (manual transmission)
Three scenarios based on our regular prices (as at 02/08/2026, regular basic fee – …) Training sessions of 45 minutes each; a standard FAHRPLAN session lasts 90 minutes and comprises two units. The examples show possible scenarios. – they are expressly not an offer or a price guarantee. The unit figures are illustrative examples, not average values for FAHRPLAN.
Example A · low practice requirement
Assumption: 16 training sessions of 45 mins = 8 driving appointments of 90 mins, both tests on the first attempt
| Driving school (basic fee €439 + 16 × €74 + 12 special drives at €82 + test attempts €110/€155) | €2,872 |
| TÜV (€24.99 + €129.83, payable directly to TÜV) | €154.82 |
| Administrative fee Frankfurt (€45.90) + eye test, first aid, passport photo (approx.) | €90–€190 |
| Total (rounded) | around €3,100–€3,200 |
| Optional: Theory learning app | + €40 |
Example B · moderate practice requirement
Assumption: 24 lessons of 45 mins = 12 driving appointments of 90 mins, both tests on the first attempt
| Driving school (like A, but 24 practice sessions) | €3,464 |
| TÜV | €154.82 |
| Authority + intermediate inputs (approx.) | €90–€190 |
| Total (rounded) | around €3,700–€3,800 |
| Optional: Learning app | + €40 |
Example C · higher practice requirement
Assumption: 36 training sessions of 45 mins = 18 driving lessons of 90 mins, both tests on the first attempt
| Driving school (like A, but 36 training sessions) | €4,352 |
| TÜV | €154.82 |
| Authority + intermediate inputs (approx.) | €90–€190 |
| Total (rounded) | around €4,600–€4,700 |
| Optional: Learning app | + €40 |
What a repeat theory test costs on top
| Repeat presentation fee, theory test | €110 |
| Repeat TÜV fee, theory test | €21.49 |
| Additional cost per repetition | around €115 |
As a rule, there are at least two weeks before the retake (§ 18 FeV) – and during this time your practical training phase either continues or is paused.
How much a repeated practical driving test costs in addition
| Repeat presentation fee, practical test | €135 |
| Repeat TÜV fee, practical test | €129.83 |
| Preparation until the rescheduled date (example: 4 lessons of 45 mins = 2 driving appointments, 4 × €74) | €296 |
| Additional costs per repetition (example) | around €580 |
The additional preparation sessions are an example – the actual requirement depends on the reasons for failing.
That's exactly why 'passing first time' is the single biggest way to save money in the whole training.
Work out your own scenario
The calculator uses our regular individual prices – no promotional discounts, so you're not planning with flattering figures.
How many you need is individual – during the consultation we will give you an honest estimate.
On top of that, there are the TÜV examination fees (€24.99 for the theory test, €129.83 for the practical test per exam – payable directly to TÜV) as well as administrative fees for the driving licence application.
That's up to you
How to avoid unnecessary extra costs
Six points that make the biggest difference in practice – without compromising on the quality of your training.
Before you sign
Package price checklist: What’s actually included in the package?
Package deals often seem cheaper than they actually are. These five questions will clear that up in two minutes:
- How many regular training sessions are included?
- How much does it cost? each additional Practice session?
- Are all 12 compulsory driving lessons included?
- Are Examination fees and administrative charges included, or do they come on top?
- Is that a Total price or just a starter package?
Four included practice lessons are usually not enough for a first-time licence. So what matters is what each additional practice lesson costs.
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a driving licence
- A MOVING analysis of 250,044 Class B training courses completed in 2024 found that the average Driving school costs of around €3,424.
- The test fees charged by TÜV or DEKRA were not included.
- You must also take into account authority fees and externally paid preliminary services (eye test, first aid, passport photo) in your personal total budget.
- Depending on the region, the range is from about €2,430 to €4,150.
- Your own total depends mainly on how many practice lessons you need.
Sources: MOVING Evaluation (PDF) · Bundestag Printed Paper 21/1139 (PDF)
- The Unit prices are fixed and verifiable.
- The only open question is how many practice lessons you personally will need.
- For normal practical training lessons for category B, there are no statutory minimum number. For a first-time licence, an additional twelve special training drives are also required.
- With fixed-price quotes, you should check carefully which services are included and how any additional driving lessons or retakes are charged.
- That varies from person to person – prior experience, how regularly you practise and how confident you feel behind the wheel decide it.
- We call deliberately do not quote an average: such a figure would only set the wrong expectations.
- What you can plan for reliably are the 12 compulsory drives (see next question).
- After a few lessons, your driving instructor will be able to realistically assess how many more you need.
- 5 cross-country drives in 45 minutes
- 4 motorway journeys in 45 minutes
- 3 drives at dusk or in the dark in 45 minutes
- Together 12 driving lessons, €82 each with us – this part you can budget for exactly.
- Country road and motorway driving sometimes takes place in longer blocks, so there are fewer than twelve individual lessons.
Legal basis: Annex 4 to Section 5(3) of the Learner Driver Training Regulations. This figure applies regardless of whether you are being trained to drive a manual gearbox or under the B197 scheme.
Theory test – around €135:
- repeat presentation fee €110
- repeat test fee €24.99
Practical test:
- Without additional driving lessons, initially there are 284,83 € for presenting you again for the test (€155) and the TÜV test fee (€129.83).
- For example, with four additional training sessions at €74 each, the total additional cost is around €581.
- The actual preparation required is individual.
§ 18 Abs. 1 Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV)
- The basic fee and the Examination fees are the same with us.
- Automatic driving lessons currently cost a bit more than manual lessons (€76 instead of €74, special lesson €85 instead of €82).
- Many learn quicker in an automatic because they don't have to change gears.
- Whether B197 works out cheaper overall depends on how many training sessions you need.
Once you've passed the test you're allowed to drive manual cars too
- Drive regularly – at least one appointment per week.
- Avoid breaks – after a longer gap you pay twice for lessons you had already mastered.
- Go over things between appointments – mentally go through the route and the procedures again.
- Complete the theory early, so your practical training doesn't get held up.
- Cancel appointments in good time – otherwise a cancellation fee will be payable.
- Billing is in 45-minute units – so one appointment is two units.
- Example: 16 units equal 8 driving appointments.
- Preparation, as well as travel to and from the location, therefore only occur once instead of twice.
- We do not offer individual 45-minute appointments.
- Inspection fees: €24.99 for the theory test, €129.83 for the practical test – payable to the Technical Examination Centre.
- driving licence application at the Citizens’ Service Centre Frankfurt.
- eye test at the optician's or eye specialist's.
- First-aid course (9 sessions of 45 minutes each).
- Biometric passport photo.
The test fees are set by law (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt)
- Yes – a transfer fee and an assessment of where you stand in your training are standard.
- special training drives you have already completed remain credited to you
- A switch can still be the right choice, for example if you're facing long waiting times.
- Do the maths honestly: sometimes staying is more expensive, sometimes moving.
Details on our page about Change of driving school.
Your next step
First understand, then compare – then decide
You now know the adjustment screws. Take a look at our individual prices, calculate your scenario in the price calculator – or get personal advice. A consultation cannot give you a binding total price (no reputable person can do that), but it can classify your situation: prior experience, time budget, suitable training path.
Or come to one of our four Frankfurt locations and drop in – you'll find the current opening hours for each location on our locations page.