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.
Why the cost of a driving licence varies by region
The same training does not cost the same everywhere in Germany. Depending on the region, the range of average driving school costs is from about €2,430 to €4,150. There are three reasons behind this:
- Local cost level. Rent for teaching rooms, vehicles, insurance and staff costs are higher in a major city such as Frankfurt than in rural areas. This affects the base rate and the hourly rate.
- Traffic density. Those undergoing training in Frankfurt practise in heavy traffic, at traffic-light-controlled junctions and on multi-lane roads – it’s more challenging, but it’s exactly what’s required later on in the test and in everyday life.
- Waiting times at the public authority and test centre. They don't cost money, but time – and long gaps between driving lessons are the most expensive mistake of all.
A price comparison across regions is therefore misleading. A meaningful comparison is within your city – and there, not the hourly rate alone, but the question of how quickly you become test-ready and whether you pass on the first attempt.
Source of the range: the same MOVING evaluation that is also referenced in the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the page.
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 training drives 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) | €155 |
| TÜV fee, theory test (payable to TÜV) | €24.99 |
| 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. €40–€140 |
| 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 |
What is included in the base fee – and how much does registration cost?
The basic fee is the one-off amount upon registration. With us, it is regularly €439. It is the largest fixed predictable item of the entire training – and it covers more than many expect.
Included in the base fee
- All the theory lessons. With us Monday to Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm. There is no fee per theory lesson.
- Registration, administration and support of your training process.
- Help with the driving licence application and the necessary documents.
Not included in the basic rate
- Driving lessons and the 12 special drives.
- Test fees for theory and practical examinations.
- TÜV examination fees: €24.99 for the theory test, €129.83 for the practical test.
- Click Click Drive learning app: €40 one-off, optional.
- Eye test, first-aid course, passport photo and the official fee for the driving licence application.
When comparing other driving schools, this very question is worth asking: Is all the theory training included in the basic fee? Where theory lessons are charged individually, a low base fee is quickly used up.
What you pay outside the driving school – with amounts
These items do not apply to us. They are one-off costs and are easy to plan for in advance:
- eye test at the optician's or ophthalmologist's – based on experience about €7–15.
- First-aid course (9 units of 45 minutes each) – around €50–85.
- biometric passport photo – about €10–20.
- driving licence application at the citizens' registration office – about €38–70, depending on the authority and category.
- TÜV examination fees – €24.99 for theory and €129.83 for practical tests, statutory.
The price ranges for eye tests, first aid, passport photos and official fees are empirical values and not prices set by us. Together, they make up the roughly €90–190 stated as „authority + upfront costs“ in the example calculations above.
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 – time-limited promotions can reduce the total but are not included here). The calculation is in Training sessions of 45 minutes each; a standard FAHRPLAN session lasts 90 minutes and comprises two units. The examples show possible scenarios. Your actual price depends above all on how much practice you personally need and on any retests – they are expressly not an offer or a price guarantee. The unit figures are illustrative examples, not average values for FAHRPLAN.
All figures on this page apply to Category B. We are just as transparent when it comes to motorcycle licences: three sample invoices for class A, A2 and A1.
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 training 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 | €24.99 |
| Additional cost per repetition | around €135 |
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 | €155 |
| 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.
A new date is normally possible after about two weeks at the earliest (§ 18(1) Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, the German driving licence regulation). That is why it pays to sit the test only when you are reliably ready – it is the most effective lever against extra costs.
- 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 training drive €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.
For B197 you complete at least ten manual gearbox lessons of 45 minutes each plus a test drive of at least 15 minutes. Your instructor then confirms your manual driving competence. No additional official test is required for this. Once you have passed the test you may also drive manual cars; your licence shows code 197 for this (§ 17a Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, § 5a Fahrschüler-Ausbildungsordnung).
- 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 theory, €129.83 practical – to the technical inspection centre.
- driving licence application at the Citizens’ Office Frankfurt – based on experience, around €38–70.
- eye test at the optician's or ophthalmologist's – about £7–£15.
- First-aid course (9 units of 45 minutes each) – around €50–85.
- biometric passport photo – about €10–20.
The examination fees are fixed by law (fee regulations for road traffic measures) – no driving school has any influence on this. Not to be confused with the driving school's presentation fee, which is charged in addition. The remaining amounts are empirical values from external providers and not prices set by us.
- 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 according to your training record.
- 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.
- You're paying not all at onceThe basic fee is due upon registration, and driving lessons and presentation fees are billed as the training progresses.
- You pay the TÜV examination fees directly to the Technical Inspection Centre, not to the driving school.
- Instalment plan that is a common question at driving schools – just feel free to speak to us about it openly during the registration chat, and we will tell you what is possible with us.
- In certain cases come Grants inquiry, for example via the Employment Agency or the jobcentre, if the driving licence is demonstrably required for starting a job, or via the employer. You have to previously clarify – retrospectively, as a rule, nothing is covered.
You can also register and pay online with us: Secure seat and pay.
The prices on this page apply to category B. For all other categories:
- B197 and B78 (automatic) – The base fee and presentation fees are identical, automatic lessons cost €76 instead of €74 and automatic special drives €85 instead of €82. Details on B197 and B78.
- BF17 – the training is equivalent to class B, only the start is earlier: BF17.
- Category BE (trailer) – separate pricing structure, as there is no theory test: Class BE.
- Motorbike (A, A2, A1) and B196 – the prices are on our motorcycle website.
You can find the complete price list for class B on the Pricing page.
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.