This does not apply to transportation by motor vehicles

• whose maximum permissible speed does not exceed 45 km/h.
• which are used by or subject to the instructions of the following groups:
  
  • German Armed Forces
  • troops and civilian personnel of other signatory states to the North Atlantic Treaty
  • Federal and state police forces
  • Customs service
  • Civil protection and disaster control
  • Fire department
• used for emergency rescue by rescue services recognized under state law.
• which are tested for the purposes of technical development, repair and maintenance, or technical inspection.
• which have been newly built or converted.
• which have not yet been put into operation.
• for the transport of materials or equipment used by drivers in the course of their work (provided that driving the motor vehicle is not their main occupation).
• in a driving school with training vehicles and motor vehicles used to acquire a basic qualification or during further training.
• for the non-commercial transport of persons or goods for private purposes.
• in rural areas, if
  • the transport is for the supply of their own business.
  • driving motor vehicles is not the main occupation.
  • the transport is occasional.
  • the transport is carried out in compliance with other road traffic regulations (this regulation will expire on December 31, 2025)
• used by agricultural, horticultural, forestry, or fishing companies for the transport of goods within the scope of their own business activities within a radius of up to 100 kilometers from the company's location or rented by them without a driver.

The basic qualification requirement has been in place for drivers of D-class vehicles since September 10, 2008, and for drivers of C-class vehicles since September 10, 2009.
Persons who were issued a driver's license before the respective effective dates are exempt from obtaining the basic qualification. In this case, future and regular participation in continuing education courses is sufficient.

You can obtain the basic qualification by

• successfully passing a theoretical and practical exam (duration: 240 minutes and 210 minutes, respectively) at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
• completing vocational training in the professions of "professional driver" or "driving specialist."
• completing a state-recognized vocational training program in which comparable skills and knowledge for driving motor vehicles on public roads are taught.

You can obtain the accelerated basic qualification by

• participating in classes (140 units of 60 minutes each) at a recognized training center and successfully passing a theoretical exam (duration: 90 minutes) at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

The first regular continuing education measures (35 teaching units) are required:

• five years after the date of acquisition of the initial qualification or accelerated initial qualification.
• always between the last continuing education course and before the expiry of the 5-year period.
• Contrary to the repetition after 5 years, you can complete the further training once for the purpose of "synchronizing the validity period of the driver's license with the qualification as a professional driver" at an earlier (not less than 3 years) or later date (not more than 7 years).

Proof of existing qualification is provided by entering the key number 95 in the driver qualification certificate (FQN) together with the date by which you must complete the next further training course in column 10 of the respective driver's license class (e.g., 95.01.01.2018).

Because this entry is required, you must always apply for a new driver's license document.

The basic qualifications and further training for the various driver's license classes (C classes and D classes) are identical.

Procedure in case of loss of the document
If the document is lost, you must submit a "declaration in lieu of oath." Alternatively, it can also be submitted by

• a notary
• in person at the driver's license authority
• using the "affidavit" form
  Note: In cases of doubt as to credibility, personal acceptance by means of a written record may also be required.

In the event of theft, submit the theft report made to the police to the driver's license authority. In this case, you do not need to submit an affidavit.

If you find the lost document, you must submit it to the driver's license authority immediately.

Application

• Your main place of residence is in Mainz
• Proof of basic qualification or completed further training

Issuance of the driver qualification certificate

• Issuance at the authority
• Direct delivery within Germany
• Direct delivery within EU member states

• You have German citizenship, citizenship of another European Union member state, citizenship of another signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or Swiss citizenship.
• You are a citizen of a third country and are employed by a company based in a member state of the EU, a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
• You carry out road haulage and/or passenger transport with motor vehicles for which you require a driving license of classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE.

The following applies to drivers who are permanently resident in Germany or who hold an EU work permit issued in Germany or a residence permit that allows them to work:

• You must have acquired/acquire the initial qualification or accelerated initial qualification in Germany.
• They must complete the further training either in Germany or in the EU member state or another signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland if they are employed there.

Please note

Please note that as of September 10, 2013 (for all D classes) and September 10, 2014 (for all C classes), professional use of the corresponding driver's license classes is only possible within the scope of exceptions.

Further information is available on the website of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior and Sport, contact:
 
Jörg Holzhäuser,
telephone +49 6131 16-2297,
fax +49 6131 16-2449 or +49 6131 16-172297,
joerg.holzhaeusermdi.rlp.de

Information is also available on the website of the Rheinhessen Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

• Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view), no digital code possible!

Note:
Since May 1, 2025, the rule for passport photos for identity cards and passports is that you must submit a digital passport photo to the registration authority. However, this requirement does not apply to the driver's license authority and therefore does not affect the application for driver's license documents. Please also note that the driver's license authorities do not have the technical equipment to take photos on site. You must therefore submit passport photos in analog form, preferably together with the complete application documents, to the driver's license authority.

• Official proof of regular residence in Germany, an EU work permit issued in Germany, or a residence permit with a work permit
• In case of loss: sworn statement
• In case of theft: report of theft
• In case of damage: Presentation of the FQN to be renewed

The fees for the driver qualification certificate (fee no.: 343 GebOST) range from €35 to €52.80.