Application

• You must apply for the extension 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.
• Required previous license classes:
  • For C1: Class B license required
  • For C1E: Class C1 license required
  • For C: Class B license required
  • For CE: Class C license required

Notes

• You must have passed the written exam before taking the practical exam.
• You may take the written exam no earlier than 3 months and the driving test no earlier than 1 month before reaching the minimum age.
• The application expires if:
  • You have not passed the written exam within 12 months of receiving the exam notification.
  • You have not passed the practical exam within 12 months of passing the written 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-style driver’s licenses issued on or after January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years from the date of issuance. This time limit applies only to the validity of the document, not to the issuance of the driver’s license itself.
• All driver’s licenses (including card-style licenses) issued before January 19, 2013, must be exchanged by January 19, 2033.

• 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. 

• If applicable, proof of basic qualification under the Professional Driver Qualification Act for commercial freight or passenger transport on public roads
• If applicable, a copy of the index card from the issuing authority (provided the previous driver’s license was not issued by the City of Mainz)
• For commercial use of classes C1, C, C1E, and CE, you must apply for a Driver Qualification Certificate (FQN).
• To expedite the issuance of the new driver’s license, you can request the index card transcript in advance by phone from the original issuing driver’s license authority.

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

in person

• Letter from the driver’s license authority
• 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)