Class B driving licence: Everything you need to know about costs, trailers and driving licences
The class B driver's license, colloquially referred to as a car driver's license, is the dream of many adolescents. With the "rag", as it is also affectionately called, the roads are open to you from the age of 17 (accompanied) or from the age of 18. The driving licence not only entitles you to drive vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of 3.5 tonnes - you can also drive some mopeds with a class B driving licence. Here you can find out everything you need to know about a class B driver's license.
The most important facts in brief
- The weight limit for a class B driving licence is currently 3.5 tonnes.
- Categories AM (scooter) and L (agricultural tractor) are included in category B.
- If you acquired your driver's license before 1999, you may even have A1 (motorcycle) at your disposal.
- The cost of a car driver's license is currently between 2,500 and 4,500 euros.
Class B driving licence: What am I allowed to drive?
With a class B driver's license, you are generally allowed to drive all motor vehicles with up to eight seats (without driver) and a permissible total weight of 3,500 kilograms. In addition, you will acquire the AM and L classes, which will allow you to drive agricultural tractors and scooters. Motor vehicles of classes A1, A2 and A – i.e. motorcycles – are no longer included today.
The category B driving licence acquired from 19 January 2013 to 28 December 2016 also covers three-wheeled motor vehicles (trikes) – but only in Germany. And: For three-wheeled motor vehicles with an engine power of more than 15 kW, this only applies if the holder of the driving licence is at least 21 years old. The corresponding key digit in the driver's license is 194. Another exception: If you got your driver's license before 1999 (called class 3), you are allowed to drive significantly more vehicle classes with the old "three" than someone who masters the driving test today. Are you affected? Then jump straight to the rules for you: Class 3: The car driver's license before 1999
Differences between Class B and Class 3
| Class B (from 19 January 2013) | Class 3 (before 1 January 1999) | |
|---|---|---|
| Classes | B, AM, L | A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L, T (only on request) |
| Inmates | 8 people + driver | 8 people + driver |
| Permissible total masses | 3.5 tons (towing vehicle) + 750 kilograms (trailer) or towing vehicle plus trailer together up to 3.5 tons | 7.5 tons (towing vehicle) + 12 tons (towing vehicle and trailer combinations) |
| Permitted vehicles | Cars, scooters, quads, trikes (Germany only) | Passenger cars (3.5 t), trucks (7.5 t), three-axle vehicles (12 t), buses (< 7.5 t without persons), scooters, trikes, quads, motorcycles up to 125 cubic centimeters (before April 1, 1980) |
Classes AM (scooters) and L (agricultural tractors) are included in class B.
Driving licence class AM
With this class, the riding of bicycles with an auxiliary engine, scooters, mopeds, trikes and quads with a maximum speed of 45 km/h and a maximum displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or 4 kW nominal power is permitted. Quads must not exceed the curb weight of 350 kilograms. Anyone who obtained their driving licence before 19 January 2013 is allowed to drive all trikes, regardless of power and top speed.
Where can I find the permissible total weight?
The permissible total weight (also known as the total mass) is made up of the curb weight and the maximum payload. The maximum permissible total weight of your car can be found in the registration certificate part 1 under the letter F. You calculate the maximum payload by subtracting the vehicle weight from the total mass.
Driving licence class L
Agricultural and forestry tractors up to 40 km/h or up to 25 km/h with or without a trailer are also permitted with category L, which is included in the driving licence class B. In addition, self-propelled machines such as harvesters are included in class L.
Important extensions for the car driving licence
| Key number | Legal consequences |
|---|---|
| 78 | The practical training and also the practical exam take place entirely on a vehicle with automatic transmission. |
| 96 | This key number allows a combination of towing vehicle and trailer with a permissible total weight of up to 4.25 tonnes. |
| 196 | With this key number, mopeds with a maximum displacement of 125 cubic centimeters (class A1) may be ridden. The prerequisites are a minimum age of 25 years and that you are in possession of a class B driver's license. |
| 197 | A combination of automatic and manual transmission. |
What are key digits?
Key digits or key numbers in the driving licence are additional information, requirements and restrictions or additional authorisations for the holder of the driving licence. They are entered on the back of the driving licence next to the respective driving licence class in column 12 and are standardised throughout the EU.
Important: The key numbers are not a driving licence class, but so-called key digits that complement your driving licence class.
Class B with trailer: What is allowed?
With a class B driving licence, you are allowed to tow trailers with an additional total weight of 750 kilograms or trailers over 750 kilograms if the combination of vehicle and trailer does not exceed the permissible total weight of 3,500 kilograms.
If the permissible total mass of towing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3,500 kilograms, but does not exceed 4,250 kilograms, you can purchase the B96 extension. This does not require an exam, only a short driver training.
Trailer driving licence: When is class BE necessary?
With the BE extension, you can also tow heavier trailers up to a permissible total weight of 3,500 kilograms, whereby the towing vehicle must not exceed the total mass of 3,500 kilograms. However, the extension requires an additional practical test.
At a glance:
- Class B: Towing vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes plus trailer up to 750 kilograms or total mass combination up to 3.5 tonnes
- Class B96: Total weight combination up to 4.25 tons
- Class BE: Passenger cars up to 3.5 tons plus trailers up to 3.5 tons
Class B driving licence: What will change in 2025?
At the turn of the year – the cut-off date is January 19, 2025 – many class B driving licenses will again have to be exchanged. This applies to the old gray and pink "rags" that have to be exchanged for a forgery-proof car driver's license in credit card format. People born in 1971 or later are affected.
What could change in 2025 is that the maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tonnes will be raised. In a first reading in the spring of this year, the European Parliament approved the change in the driving licence for motorhomes. Anyone with a B driving licence should be allowed to drive certain vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes gross vehicle weight - especially motorhomes, ambulances and special vehicles such as fire engines and vehicles with electric drives. However, the prerequisite would be that you have already been in possession of a class B driver's license for two years.
How long is the class B driver's license valid for?
If your driver's license was issued on January 19, 2013 or later, it is valid for 15 years. Before 19 January 2013, the validity is staggered according to the deadline for the exchange of driving licences.
Class 3: The car driving licence before 1999
If you took your car driving licence before 1 January 1999, you have acquired the so-called class 3, which allows you to drive significantly more vehicles. All driving licence holders with the old class 3 are allowed to drive vehicles of the new driving licence categories B, BE, C1 and C1E, AM and L. With the "old three" you can control vehicles up to 7.5 tons or even combinations of up to twelve tons, whereby the towing vehicle must not exceed a maximum weight of 7.5 tons.
If the class 3 driving licence was issued before 1 April 1980, mopeds such as motorcycles with up to 125 cubic centimetres may also be driven. This corresponds to today's class A1. To this day, the class 3 driver's license has not lost its validity, even if all old rags must be exchanged by 2033.
By the way, you will not be disadvantaged by the exchange - you do not have to take the driving test again as a result of the exchange, nor will individual vehicle classes be lost. The so-called vested rights regulation applies, which states that your driver's license expires, but your driver's license does not expire.
The following numbers would be entered into the card driving licence when switching from class 3:
| Date of Grant | Class new | Key figures |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1 April 1980 | A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L, T | CE 79 (C1E > 12,000 kg, L ≤ 3), C1 171, L 174, 175, A1 79.05, A 79.03, A 79.04, BE 79.06 |
| After 31 March 1980 and before 1 January 1989 | A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L, T | CE 79 (C1E > 12,000 kg, L ≤ 3), C1 171, L 174, 175, A1 79.03, A1 79.04, A 79.03, A 79.04, BE 79.06 |
| After 31 December 1988 | A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L, T | CE 79 (C1E > 12,000 kg, L ≤ 3), C1 171, L 174, A1 79.03, A1 79.04, A 79.03, A 79.04, BE 79.06 |
The vehicle classes at a glance
- A, A1, AM: Motorcycles and mopeds
- B, BE: Cars and cars with trailers
- C1, C1E: light trucks (up to 7.5 tonnes) and corresponding combinations with trailers
- CE: heavier combinations (truck with trailer)
- L, T: agricultural vehicles and tractors
Key figures at a glance
- CE 79: Authorized to drive combinations over 12,000 kilograms in class C1E, with the number of axles limited to a maximum of three
- C1 171: Allows the driving of vehicles of class C1 (up to 7.5 tons)
- L 174 and 175: Special rules for agricultural vehicles
- A1 79.05 and A 79.03, 79.04: Transitional provisions for old motorcycle classes specifying certain engine capacity and power restrictions
- BE 79.06: Serves as a specific authorisation for category BE combinations, which includes certain trailer sizes and combinations
What is the cost of a class B driver's license?
The cost of a class B driver's license has exploded in recent years. You have to expect 2,500 euros anytime and anywhere, depending on the number of driving hours and depending on the region, costs of 4,500 euros can sometimes be incurred. According to the ADAC, the main reason for the higher prices is the increased fuel, vehicle and personnel costs.
The driving licence costs are made up as follows:
- Basic amount: approx. 350–500 euros
- Theoretical lessons incl. learning material and exam: approx. 250–300 euros
- Practice rides: approx. 50–80 euros (at least 10 pieces)
- Special trips: approx. 60–100 euros (12 pieces)
- In addition, there are items such as eye test, first aid course, passport photos and driving licence application at the road traffic authority
The faster you get better and safer in road traffic, the fewer practice rides you need. Some participants need twelve practice drives of 45 minutes each for the class B driving licence, others need far more than 20 to achieve appropriate learning progress. The special trips on country roads (five pieces), at night (three pieces) and on motorways (four pieces) are not only mandatory, but also go quite your wallet with costs between 60 and 100 euros per lesson trip.
Class B driving licence: requirements and procedure
In addition to the high costs, you also have to plan a lot of time for the car driver's license. It can easily take three or six months until the exam is passed. Your way to get your driver's license:
- Registration at the driving school: The first step to obtaining a class B driving licence is to register at a driving school. This is where your path to a driver's license begins with a combination of theoretical and practical teaching units. You must complete a minimum number of theory and practical hours that are required by law. For class B, this means at least 14 double hours of theory lessons (90 minutes each) and twelve mandatory special trips.
- Theory test: In theory lessons, you will be introduced to traffic rules, traffic signs and general behaviour in road traffic. The theory exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the knowledge learned about traffic rules, dangerous situations and environmentally conscious driving. You have to answer a total of 30 questions, whereby you can have a maximum of ten fault points to pass.
- Practical hours: After you have completed the theoretical part, the practical driving training for the class B driver's license begins. Here you will practice driving under real conditions in road traffic. There are different types of practical lessons: basic training (starting, shifting, braking and parking) and special trips (overland trips, highway trips and night driving). The number depends on the individual learning progress - 15 to 20 driving hours plus twelve special trips are usual.
- Practical exam: The practical exam lasts about 45 minutes. An examiner accompanies you during the journey and observes how you deal with everyday driving situations. In doing so, he tests your skills in handling the vehicle, your behavior in road traffic and your knowledge of the road traffic regulations. The most important components include parking, driving on the motorway and safe behaviour at intersections and traffic lights. You must prove that you are able to drive the vehicle safely and responsibly.
The minimum age at which you are allowed to drive a car is 17 years. The so-called "accompanied driving from the age of 17" allows you to drive until your 18th birthday accompanied by a registered person who has held your driving licence for at least five years and is at least 30 years old.
The International Driver's Permit – What You Need to Know
German driving licences are recognised almost without restriction in all 27 member states of the EU and the European Economic Area (EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). Whether you are passing through or staying permanently, as long as you follow the applicable traffic rules, the roads of those countries are open to you. In non-European countries, on the other hand, you should carry an international driver's license. You can apply for this additional document at your driver's license office for 15 to 20 euros. However, the international driver's license is not universally valid either: If you are planning to travel by car or even emigrate, you should find out about the local law at an early stage.
- The International Driver's Permit is an additional document to the national driver's license. It is recognized in more than 170 countries worldwide and makes it easier to drive abroad.
- You can apply for the International Driver's Permit at the Driver's License Office.
- The prerequisite is that you have a valid national driver's license.
- In Germany, the international driver's license is valid for three years.
- You will need your national driver's license, a biometric passport photo, and your ID card or passport.