In Germany and other EU states, driver’s license can have different classes under same a category. For example, car license can have B class, B 96 class or BE. These classes are described on this page.
- Moped and motorcycle license
- Car license
- Truck license
- Bus license
- Tractor and forklift license
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Moped and Motorcycle License
The driver's license for moped and motorcycle includes classes:AM,A1,A2 andA.
AM
Mopeds (including side-cars) of a maximum speed of not more than 45 km / h. Either with an electric motor or internal combustion engine of not more than 50 cc or a maximum rated continuous power of up to 4 kW in the case of electric motors.
Motorcycles with a maximum speed of not more than 45 km / h or with electric motor or internal combustion engine of not more than 50 cc.
Tri-wheel mopeds and quad motorcycle, each having a maximum speed of not more than 45 km / h and a displacement of not more than 50 cc, or with a maximum net power of not more than 4 kW in the case of an electric motor.
The unladen weight must not exceed 350 kg, without the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles.
The minimum age required for AM class is: 16 years
Other classes included in AM class are: None
A1
Light motorcycles (including side-cars) and quad motorcycles of an engine displacement not exceeding 125 cc and engine power of not more than 11 kW, in which the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0,1 kW / kg.
Tricycles with symmetrically arranged wheels with a maximum speed of more than 45 km / h and a power of up to 15 kW.
The minimum age required for class A1 license is: 16 years
Other classes included in A1 class are: AM
A2
Motorcycles (including side-cars) with an engine power of not more than 35 kW, where the power to weight ratio does not exceed 0,2 kW / kg.
In the case of two-year prior ownership of class A1, only a practical test (this also applies to "old owners" with a driver's license of class 3 or 4 acquired before 01.04.1980).
Class A licenses limited to those issued before 19.01.2013 are automatically considered Class A (unlimited) after two years.
Minimum age required for A2 class is: 18 years
Other classes included in A2 class are: AM and A1
A
Motorcycles (including side-cars) of an engine displacement exceeding 50 cc or of a speed of more than 45 km / h, and power to weight ratio of more than 0.2 kW / kg.
Three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power exceeding 15 kW with symmetrically arranged wheels and an engine displacement of more than 50 cc for internal combustion enginesor a maximum design speed of more than 45 km / h.
Motor vehicles with engine power more than 15 kW, and displacement more than 50 cc.
The person having A2 license for at least two years can get Class A after a practical exam. With this license, only motor vehicles of class A may be driven.
Minimum age required for A2 class is : 24 years (for direct entry), 20 years (with at least 2 years earlier possession of class A2).
The minimum age required for A2 class three-wheeled motor vehicles: 21 years.
Other classes included in A class are: A2, A1, AM.
Passenger Car License
Passenger car license includes following classes:B and BF 17,B 96 andBE.
B / BF 17
Motor vehicles up to 3.5t (3500 kg) gross weight and maximum 9 seats including the driver.
A holder of class B license can draw the following trailers with his/her car:
- Trailers up to 750 kg gross weight,
- Trailers over 750 kg of permissible maximum weight, provided the total weight of towing vehicle and trailer is not greater than 3500 kg.
Minimum age required: 18 years (17 years for participants in the "Accompanied driving with 17" (BF 17)).
Other classes included in B class: AM, L
B 96
Combination of car and trailer. You need this special trailer license if you want to tow a trailer of more than 750 kg behind a class B car and the total mass of trailer and car is greater than 3,500 kg but not more than 4,250 kg.
Prior ownership class B license mediatory to obtains this license.
Minimum age required: 18 years
Other classes included in B class: AM, L
BE
Combination of car and trailer, consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer, provided that the maximum authorized mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3500 kg.
Prior ownership class B license mediatory to obtains this license.
Minimum age required: 18 years
Other classes included in BE class: AM, L
Truck License
Classes included in truck license are:C1,C1E,C andCE.
C1
Small trucks with more than 3.5 t (3500 kg), but not more than 7.5 t (7500 kg) total weight, also trailer up to 750 kg gross weight.
Prior ownership of class B license is mediatory to obtains this license.
In addition to general eyesight test, a full health test and an examination by an ophthalmologist is also a requirement for this license.
Validity: As the holder of the class C1 license reaches the age of 50, the license has to be renewed every 5 years. Submission of positive general health test and eyesight test is a prerequisite for renewal.
Minimum age required: 18 years
Other classes included in C1 class are: None
C1E
Class C1E includes small trucks with trailers, it's a combination of driving license of the class C1 and a trailer with a maximum 12,000 kg permissible total weight.
Motor vehicles over 3.5 t (3500 kg) and up to 7.5 t (7500kg) and a trailer over 750 kg is allowed under this class. The total mass of the trailer must not be greater than the unladen mass of the towing vehicle and the sum of the two masses must not be greater than 12 tones (12000 kg).
Previous ownership of driver’s license class C1 is necessary to obtain this license.
Minimum age required: 18 years
Other classes included in C1E class are: BE and D1E, provided that the holder is entitled to drive category D1 vehicles.
C
Large truck, with a weight of more than 3500 kg (no restriction upwards) and constructed for the carriage of not more than nine persons including the driver, also with a trailer up to 750 kg.
Prior ownership class B license, a general health test, and an examination by an ophthalmologist are prerequisites to obtain this license.
Validity: This license is issued for 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and eyesight test is also the prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 18 years
Other class/classes included in C class : C1
CE
Large truck with trailer, combinations consisting of a towing vehicle of category C, and trailer or a semi-trailer with a maximum authorized mass of more than 750 kg.
Prior ownership class C license, a general health test and an examination by an ophthalmologist is a prerequisite to obtain this license.
Validity: This license is issued for 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and eyesight test is also a prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 18 years with training of professional driver qualification or 21 years without extra professional driver qualification.
Other classes included in CE class are: BE, C1E & T and D1E, provided that the holder is authorized to drive category D1 vehicles and DE, where he/she is entitled to drive category D vehicles.
Bus License
Bus license includes classes:D1,D1E,D andDE.
D1
Buses with more than 8 but not more than 16 passenger seats, also with a trailer up to 750 kg gross vehicle weight. Total allowed length is not more than 8 m, including a trailer.
Prior ownership of class B license is mediatory to obtains this license.
Validity: valid up to 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of the positive general health test and eyesight test is the prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 21 years normal. 18 years with a basic qualification in the field of the professional driver qualification law or with a training of the professional driver.
Other classes included in D1 class are: None
D1E
Combination of driving license class D1 and trailer. The combined bus and trailer mass must not exceed 12,000 kg.
Bus with more than 8 but not more than 16 passenger seats, with a trailer over 750 kg gross weight. When loaded, the trailer may not weigh more than the empty bus.
Prior ownership of class D1 license is mediatory to obtains this license.
Validity: Valid up to 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and eyesight test is also a prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 21 years
Other classes included in D1E class are: BE and C1E if the holder is entitled to drive category C1 vehicles.
D
Buses with more than 16 passenger seats and with trailers up to 750 kg gross vehicle weight.
Prior ownership of license B is necessary.
Validity: Valid up to 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and eyesight test is also a prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 21 years
Other class/classes included in D class is/are: D1
DE
All Buses with all bus trailers, also trailers more than 750kg. This class also includes passenger trailers.
Prior ownership of class B license is a prerequisite.
Validity: Valid up to 5 years and then renewed after every 5 years. Submission of a positive general health test and eyesight test is also a prerequisite for a renewal.
Minimum age required: 21 years
Other classes included in DE class are: D1E, BE, if owned by C1, C1E license holder.
Tractor and Forklift License
Tractor license includes classesT and L.
T
Agricultural or forestry tractors with trailers with a speed not more than 60 km / h. Self-propelled agricultural or forestry machines up to 40 km / h speed, also with trailer.
Minimum age required: 16 years. Until the age of 18 only tractors up to 40 km / h.
Other class/classes included in T class is/are: L
L
Tractors in agriculture and forestry up to 32 km / h maximum design speed, also with trailer (then maximum speed 25 km / h).
Forklift (also with trailer), self-propelled machines, and industrial trucks up to 25 km / h maximum design speed.
Minimum age required: 16 years
Other classes included in L class are: None