{"id":140,"date":"2026-07-25T04:17:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T02:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/start.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/blog\/bf17-begleitetes-fahren\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T23:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:08:10","slug":"bf17-begleitetes-fahren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/blog\/bf17-begleitetes-fahren\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving licence at 17 (BF17): Accompanied driving explained in full"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"fp-blogkasten\" style=\"background:#EAF3FC;border-left:4px solid #0B6BC2;padding:14px 18px;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0\"><strong>Straight to the point:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/en\/bf17\/\">BF17 at Fahrschule FAHRPLAN \u2013 Entry requirements and registration \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Start driving a year earlier, gain an extra year\u2019s experience before setting off on your own \u2013 accompanied driving from the age of 17 is one of the best ideas ever to come out of German driving licence legislation. Nevertheless, there are a surprising number of half-truths surrounding BF17: from the incorrect minimum age for the accompanying driver to holiday trips abroad. Here is the complete, fact-checked overview.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fp-toc\" style=\"background:#f5f7fa;border-left:4px solid #30b1f8;border-radius:6px;padding:18px 24px;margin:24px 0;\"><strong>Contents of this guide<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\">\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-1\">What BF17 is \u2013 in three sentences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-2\">The schedule: Apply at 16\u00bd, drive on your 17th birthday<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-3\">The accompanying person: Who is allowed \u2013 and who is not<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-4\">provisional driving licence instead of photocard driving licence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-5\">Driving without an accompanying person: the most expensive mistake of all<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-6\">Why the BF17 is really worth it<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-7\">Tips for the year with companionship<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-8\">BF17 and insurance: The point parents need to clarify<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-9\">Frequently asked questions about BF17<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abschnitt-10\">Conclusion: Start earlier, arrive safer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-1\">What BF17 is \u2013 in three sentences<\/h2>\n<p>In Accompanied Driving, you do the <strong>standard category B driving training<\/strong> (and on request BE) \u2013 only in such a way that you already <strong>pass your exams at 17<\/strong>. After that you may drive, but only with a <strong>registered accompanying person<\/strong> in the front passenger seat. Once you turn 18, the requirement is automatically lifted \u2013 and you'll already have a year of real driving experience and a year of your probationary period behind you.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-2\">The schedule: Apply at 16\u00bd, drive on your 17th birthday<\/h2>\n<p>BF17 is the most predictable route to a driving licence \u2013 if you make the most of the early enrolment periods:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Registration + driving licence application at 16\u00bd<\/strong> (up to 6 months prior to the minimum age is usual; the accompanying persons are also named in the application).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Theory test at the earliest 3 months before the 17th birthday.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Practical test at the earliest 1 month before the 17th birthday.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Training as usual: 14 double lessons of theory, practice lessons as needed and the <strong>full 12 special journeys<\/strong> \u2013 BF17 doesn\u2019t save a single hour; it\u2019s just a waste of time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Plan like this and you'll be holding your test certificate on your 17th birthday. You can find the complete timeline with all deadlines in the guide <a href=\"\/en\/blog\/fuehrerschein-dauer\/\">How long does it take to get a driving licence?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-3\">The accompanying person: Who is allowed \u2013 and who is not<\/h2>\n<p>This is where the most common misconception lies: The accompanying person must <strong>at least 30 years old<\/strong> its (not 25, as often claimed), since <strong>at least 5 years<\/strong> hold a category B licence and may <strong>at most 1 point<\/strong> have in Flensburg. You can <strong>several accompanying persons<\/strong> have registered \u2013 parents, grandparents, older siblings, family friends \u2013 and also add more subsequently. Important for the understanding of the role: The accompanying person is <strong>Assessor, not a reserve driving instructor<\/strong>. She may (and should) advise and calm, but not interfere with the driving \u2013 there are no dual pedals, and you are responsible for the driving. For the accompanying person themselves: <strong>travel sober<\/strong> \u2013 from 0.5 per mille or under the influence of intoxicants, she may no longer accompany them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-4\">provisional driving licence instead of photocard driving licence<\/h2>\n<p>After passing the test you don't get a photocard driving licence, but a <strong>Test certificate<\/strong> \u2013 together with your ID it is your proof of travel. Three things you should know about it: It is valid <strong>only in Germany<\/strong> (The only exception: Austria recognises German BF17 drivers accompanied by an escort \u2013 but do check the current situation briefly before setting off on holiday). It applies <strong>at the very latest up to 3 months after your 18th birthday<\/strong> \u2013 by then you should have collected or applied for the photocard driving licence from the authority; you can find out how it works locally from the driving licence office. And: From your 18th birthday you are allowed to <strong>drive autonomously without accompaniment<\/strong> \u2013 you don't need to apply for anything for that.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-5\">Driving without an accompanying person: the most expensive mistake of all<\/h2>\n<p>However tempting it may be, driving a BF17 without a registered accompanying driver is no trivial offence: as well as a fine and a penalty point (currently 70 euros and 1 point) <strong>must the authority revoke the driving licence<\/strong> \u2013 that is strictly required by the law. According to that, it means: applying for reissuance, as a rule with an improvement seminar, plus a waiting period and costs. A single \u201eshortcut alone\u201c can therefore cost you the licence you've just spent months working for. It is simply never worth it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-6\">Why the BF17 is really worth it<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The security argument:<\/strong> Research into accompanied driving has shown the same picture for years \u2013 those who drove with supervision at 17 have fewer accidents in their first years of solo driving <strong>significantly fewer accidents<\/strong> as a direct entrant. A year of practical experience with an experienced co-driver is the best advanced driver training there is \u2013 and it\u2019s free.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The probationary period argument:<\/strong> Your two-year probationary period begins with the issuance \u2013 so at 17. By your 18th birthday, half of it is already done, while peers are only just starting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The practical bit:<\/strong> School route, apprenticeship, hobbies \u2013 being mobile a year earlier (with supervision) relieves the pressure on the whole family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-7\">Tips for the year with companionship<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Take it easy at the start:<\/strong> The first trips on familiar routes at quiet times \u2013 that is how both sides find their roles (you drive, the passenger remains constructively silent).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make active use of the year:<\/strong> Motorway, rain, darkness, multi-storey car park \u2013 the more situations experienced with a front-seat passenger, the more confident the solo start. Exactly the situations that one would otherwise experience alone for the first time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Set expectations:<\/strong> It is best for the accompanying person to comment after the journey rather than during it \u2013 constant talking interferes and is not their job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-8\">BF17 and insurance: The point parents need to clarify<\/h2>\n<p>One practical point that is often missing from many BF17 guides: Before setting off on your first accompanied journey, you should ring the <strong>car insurance of the vehicle used<\/strong> onto the to-do list. The 17-year-old driver generally has to notify the insurer <strong>be registered as a driver<\/strong> \u2013 Depending on the tariff, this will affect the premium (keyword: \u201eyoungest driver\u201c driver group). Anyone who fails to do this and is involved in an accident risks unpleasant discussions \u2013 or even contractual penalties \u2013 in the event of a claim. The good news is that many insurers reward participation in the BF17 scheme later on with <strong>better insurance brackets for the novice driver<\/strong> \u2013 Accompanied driving is recognised within the industry as a proven way of reducing risk. The terms and conditions vary depending on the provider; a brief chat before you start will clarify things and prevent the only unpleasant surprise that BF17 has to offer.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-9\">Frequently asked questions about BF17<\/h2>\n<h3>Does the BF17 cost more than a standard driving licence?<\/h3>\n<p>The training costs the same - the only addition is the registration of the accompanying persons in the application (a small administrative fee, also for subsequent registrations). Compared to the gain in safety, this is the cheapest item of the entire training.<\/p>\n<h3>Are other people allowed to ride in the car?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes \u2013 the only crucial thing is that a registered accompanying driver is on board. Friends in the back seat are allowed; the accompanying person does not have to sit in the front passenger seat, although it is still usual and sensible to do so.<\/p>\n<h3>What happens if I\u2019m caught speeding during the BF17 period?<\/h3>\n<p>The same rules apply as for all new drivers: probation period system with category A and B violations plus a zero-tolerance alcohol limit. The details are explained in our guide on <a href=\"\/en\/blog\/probezeit-fuehrerschein\/\">probationary period<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I also do BF17 using the automatic setting, or B197?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes \u2013 BF17 can be combined with any training option, including the <a href=\"\/en\/blog\/b197-oder-schaltung\/\">B197<\/a>. The accompanying rule remains the same.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"abschnitt-10\">Conclusion: Start earlier, arrive safer<\/h2>\n<p>BF17 costs nothing extra, saves waiting time, halves the perceived length of the probationary period and has been proven to produce safer drivers \u2013 there\u2019s hardly any reason not to start this way at 17, provided a suitable accompanying driver is available. You can find out how to register with us on the <a href=\"\/en\/bf17\/\">BF17 page<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Direkt zur Sache: BF17 bei der Fahrschule FAHRPLAN \u2013 Voraussetzungen und Anmeldung \u2192 Ein Jahr fr\u00fcher fahren, ein Jahr mehr Erfahrung sammeln, bevor es allein losgeht \u2013 das Begleitete Fahren ab 17 ist eine der besten Ideen, die das deutsche F\u00fchrerscheinrecht je hatte. Trotzdem ranken sich um BF17 erstaunlich viele Halbwahrheiten: vom falschen Mindestalter der [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":452,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140\/revisions\/452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fahrschule-fahrplan.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=140"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}