Germany’s driver’s license is well-known for being both expensive and difficult to obtain. This year, a recent change is set to impact all federal states: due to the adjustment of the Road Traffic Measures Fee Schedule (GebOSt), the costs for theoretical and practical driving tests have risen by 11% since January 31, 2024.
In recent years, the costs of driver’s license exams have been steadily increasing due to rising fuel, vehicle, and personnel expenses. So, how much does it actually cost to get a driver’s license in Germany? The actual cost can vary significantly depending on the region and the driving school, typically ranging from 2,600 euros to 3,500 euros.
Essentially, each driving school in Germany is allowed to determine its own prices for theory and driving courses, exams, and retests. While prices are not standardized, driving schools are obligated to publicly disclose their set prices for each service, allowing learners to compare prices and conditions when choosing a driving school.
1. Basic fees: 200 euros to 600 euros, including administrative fees and theory course costs, varying by region.
2. Vision test: 6-7 euros, a legal requirement conducted by an optician.
3. First aid course: between 20 and 60 euros.
4. Driving license application at the Road Traffic Management Office: between 43.90 and 56.90 euros.
5. Photo for the license: approximately 10 euros.
6. 12 driving lessons: Each student must drive on the highway four times, drive at night three times, and drive in rural areas five times, each session lasting 45 minutes. The cost of driving lessons typically ranges from 65 to 95 euros, depending on the federal state, region, and driving school.
7. Additional practice time: involving driving in everyday traffic. The required number of driving lessons depends on the learner’s proficiency and accounts for a significant portion of the total payment. Normal driving practice costs usually range from 55 to 75 euros.
8. Study materials: 50 to 80 euros. To pass the theory exam successfully, learners need to register for the driver’s license application, access the driving school’s online portal, and purchase study materials.
9. Theory exam fee: The fee for the theoretical exam for a Class B driver’s license (TÜV/Dekra) is 25 euros.
10. Practical exam fee: The fee for the practical driving test for a Class B driver’s license (TÜV/Dekra) is 130 euros.
It’s important to note that both testing agencies and driving schools charge exam fees. This means the average cost for the theory exam is between 50 and 100 euros, while the practical exam typically costs around 150 to 250 euros.
Overall, the cost of obtaining a Class B driver’s license in Germany ranges from 2,600 to 3,500 euros. However, this is just an approximate price range, and actual costs can vary based on the number of driving courses, region, and driving school.
Learners need different amounts of driving course study time to obtain permission for the license exam. Previously, a rule existed that if a learner failed the practical exam three times, they would be prohibited from testing for three months. If they failed three more times, they would have to undergo a so-called MPU (Medical-Psychological Examination). However, these regulations have since been abolished.
The MPU, colloquially known as the “idiot test,” consists of three parts: a medical examination, an interview with a traffic psychologist, and performance tests. This aims to determine if a driver poses a danger to themselves or others on the road. The cost of an MPU examination ranges from 350 to 800 euros.
Data released by the TÜV Association indicates that in 2023, the failure rate for the theory exam reached a new high. Among learners aged 18 and older, nearly half (49%) did not pass the Class B theory test. The overall failure rate for the initial theory exam was 42%, which increased by 10 percentage points from 2014 and by 3 points from the previous year. However, the failure rate for the practical exam remained consistent, with approximately one-third of candidates failing.
Richard Goebelt, Head of the TÜV Association’s Vehicle and Mobility Division, stated at a press conference that about 54% of students who retook the exam did not pass the theory test, and around 40% failed the practical exam. Goebelt attributed the high theory exam failure rate mainly to many candidates being unprepared and not taking the test seriously. He emphasized that mere rote memorization is not enough; sufficient time should be allotted for thorough preparation.
If a learner fails the theory exam, they must repay the registration fee when retaking the exam. The practical exam must be taken within 12 months of passing the theory exam. If a candidate fails the practical test and needs to retest, they must pay the 130 euro registration fee again.
In Germany, learners can take the driver’s license theory exam not only in German but also in 12 other languages, including English, French, Greek, Standard Arabic, Italian, Croatian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Polish, and Turkish.