Application

• You must apply in person (for identification and signature purposes).
• You can apply for a driver's license extension at the earliest 6 months before you reach the minimum age.

Issuance:

• If you have only applied for one class (e.g., B or A1), the license will be issued immediately after you pass the test by the examiner.
• If you have applied for several classes, the examiner will only issue a test certificate.
• With this, you can apply for a provisional driver's license at the driver's license authority. (additional fee: 11.20 euros or 12 euros during the probationary period)
• The provisional driver's license is valid for a maximum of 3 months and is only valid within the Federal Republic of Germany.

Collection of the card driving license from the driver's license authority:

• in person
• by an authorized person

• Her primary residence is in Mainz.

• You must pass the theory test before starting the practical test. You may take the theory test at the earliest 3 months before reaching the minimum age. You may take the practical test at the earliest 1 month before reaching the minimum age.
• The application expires if:
  • You have not passed the theory test within 12 months of the test request being received.
  • You have not passed the practical exam within 12 months of passing the theoretical exam.
• The provisional driver's license is valid for a maximum of 3 months and is only valid within the Federal Republic of Germany.

Please note:

• All EU card driving licenses issued since January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years from the date of issue. This time limit refers only to the validity of the document and not to the granting of the driving license.
• All driver's licenses (including card driver's licenses) issued before January 19, 2013, must be exchanged by January 19, 2033.

• Regulation on the admission of persons to road traffic (opens in a new tab)

• A recent biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait orientation, full-face view); digital codes are not accepted!

Note:
As of May 1, 2025, the regulation requiring you to submit a digital passport photo to the registration office applies to passport photos for ID cards and passports. However, this requirement does not apply to the driver’s license office and therefore does not affect applications for driver’s license documents. The Driver’s License Authority has the technical equipment available for taking photos on-site. You may continue to submit passport photos in analog form, preferably along with the complete application documents, to the Driver’s License Authority.

• Information regarding the driving school
• if applicable, a copy of the index card from the last issuing authority (if different from the current authority)

If you need to pick up the card-style driver’s license at the Driver’s License Office:

in person

• Letter from the Driver’s License Office
• Identification document
• Previous driver's license

by an authorized representative

• Cover letter from the Driver's License Authority
• Identification documents for both individuals
• Written power of attorney
• Previous driver's license

• Extension of driving license: €45.10 (€45.90 with probationary period)
• Issuance of a provisional driver's license: €11.20 or €12 during the probationary period
• For direct delivery by the Federal Printing Office in Berlin: €6.50 (only possible to a limited extent)