Driver’s license categories in Germany: A, B, C, D, BE, B96, and B196
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In Germany, a driver’s license category is determined not by the vehicle’s common name, but by the technical specifications in the documents: vehicle type, zulässige Gesamtmasse, number of passenger seats, engine power, speed, and trailer specifications. Therefore, the same “van,” “motorhome,” or “quad bike” may require different Klassen depending on the circumstances.
There are two different validity periods that are often confused. The plastic driver’s license usually needs to be renewed as a document, but the right to drive standard categories A, AM, B, BE, L, and T does not expire simply because the card is replaced. For truck and bus categories C/C1 and D/D1, a separate license renewal applies, typically every 5 years, with health and vision checks.
Brief Table of Categories
| Category | What It Covers | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|
| AM | Mopeds, scooters, light tricycles, and some light quadricycles | Up to 45 km/h |
| A1 | Light motorcycles and certain tricycles | Up to 125 cm³, 11 kW, and 0.1 kW/kg |
| A2 | Mid-sized motorcycles | Up to 35 kW and 0.2 kW/kg |
| A | Motorcycles with no power restrictions | Direct access usually starting at age 24 |
| B | Passenger cars and many vans/motorhomes | Up to 3.5 metric tons and 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver |
| B96 | Category B extension for heavier trailer combinations | Vehicle-trailer combinations weighing over 3.5 metric tons and up to 4.25 metric tons |
| BE | Class B vehicle with a heavier trailer | Trailer up to 3.5 metric tons |
| C1/C1E | Light trucks and heavy motorhomes | Over 3.5 metric tons up to 7.5 metric tons; C1E up to 12 metric tons in a combination |
| C/CE | Trucks and truck-trailer combinations | Over 3.5 metric tons |
| D1/D/DE | Buses | More than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat |
| L/T | Agricultural and forestry machinery | For the specified use only |
Mopeds, Scooters, and Motorcycles
Motorcycle categories are tiered: first, slow, low-displacement vehicles; then 125 cm³; then A2; and finally the full Class A. It’s important to consider not only engine displacement but also power, the power-to-weight ratio, and the German “Schlüsselzahlen.”
Mofas up to 25 km/h
For mopeds (Mofa), a full driver’s license (Fahrerlaubnis) is generally not required; instead, a training certificate (Prüfbescheinigung)—confirming training and a theory test—is needed. This can be obtained starting at age 15. If the driver already holds a valid driver’s license category, a separate training certificate is not required. A separate, older exemption applies to people born before April 1, 1965.
A “Mofa” designation applies only to a very narrow class of vehicles with a maximum design speed of 25 km/h. A light electric scooter or micromobile does not automatically qualify as a “Mofa”; the classification depends on its registration and technical class.
AM
AM is the first full-fledged category for light scooters, mopeds, small tricycles, and some light four-wheeled vehicles. In Germany, you can obtain an AM license starting at age 15; until age 16, this license is valid only within Germany and may not be recognized outside the country.
This generally applies to vehicles with a maximum speed of 45 km/h. For two-wheeled vehicles, an engine displacement of up to 50 cm³ or corresponding power restrictions are also important. For three- and four-wheeled vehicles, the weight, number of seats, and classification in the documents are also taken into account.
Category B includes AM, so holders of standard driver’s licenses generally do not need a separate AM license.
A1
An A1 license is required for light motorcycles with engine displacements up to 125 cm³. However, engine displacement alone is not sufficient: the power must not exceed 11 kW, and the power-to-weight ratio must not exceed 0.1 kW/kg. The A1 license also covers three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power output of up to 15 kW.
The minimum age is 16. Category A1 includes AM.
B196: 125 cm³ with a Class B driver’s license
B196 is not a separate category and is not an “automatic A1.” It is the German Schlüsselzahl for Class B. It allows the holder to drive vehicles meeting A1 specifications in Germany after completing special training at a driving school.
Key requirements:
- A valid Category B license held for at least 5 years;
- Minimum age of 25;
- Driving school training: a minimum of 4 theory sessions and 5 practical sessions, each lasting 90 minutes;
- There is no separate written or practical exam for the B196 category.
Key restrictions for B196: The license is valid only within Germany and does not count as a full-fledged step toward automatic progression to A2 or A. To travel abroad or advance to A2/A, a standard motorcycle license category is required.
Old German Class 3 licenses issued before April 1, 1980, often retain authorization to operate light motorcycles up to 125 cm³ without the B196 endorsement; however, when exchanging the license, you must check the specific entries and codes in field 12.
A2
The A2 license allows you to ride motorcycles with a power output of up to 35 kW. Additionally, there is a 0.2 kW/kg restriction, and if the motorcycle has been restricted, its original version must not exceed 70 kW.
The minimum age is 18. If you have held an A1 license for at least 2 years, upgrading to an A2 license usually requires a skills test. An A2 license includes both A1 and AM.
A
Category A is the full motorcycle class with no power restrictions. Direct access is usually possible starting at age 24. Through a step-by-step progression after two years of holding an A2 license, access is possible starting at age 20. For high-powered three-wheeled vehicles, the minimum age is 21.
With ATVs, tricycles, and similar vehicles, you cannot rely on their appearance alone. The documents may list a category for which an AM or B license is sufficient, or they may require a motorcycle license.
Category B: Passenger cars, vans, and motorhomes
B is the main category for everyday driving. It allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of up to 3.5 metric tons, provided they have no more than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat. In other words, the standard maximum is the driver plus 8 passengers.
A Class B license is suitable for most passenger cars, many compact vans, and some motorhomes. However, if a motorhome, special-purpose van, or converted vehicle has a documented weight exceeding 3.5 metric tons, a Class B license alone is not sufficient: in most cases, you’ll need a Class C1 or C1E license.
With a Category B license, you can tow:
- trailer up to 750 kg;
- a trailer weighing more than 750 kg, provided that the total permissible mass of the entire combination does not exceed 3.5 metric tons.
Legally, what matters is not the actual load on the day of travel, but the zulässige Gesamtmasse of the vehicle and trailer as stated in the documents.
B96 and BE: Trailers for Class B Vehicles
B96 is not a separate category, but rather a “Schlüsselzahl 96” (code number 96) for Class B. It is required when the combined weight of a Class B vehicle and a trailer exceeds 3.5 metric tons but does not exceed 4.25 metric tons. B96 requires training, but not a full separate exam as is required for BE.
A BE license is required if the trailer exceeds the weight limits of a standard B/B96 license. In the BE category, the tractor unit remains a Category B vehicle, while the trailer or semi-trailer may have a maximum authorized mass of up to 3.5 metric tons.
The practical procedure is as follows:
- Check the vehicle’s zulässige Gesamtmasse.
- Check the zulässige Gesamtmasse of the trailer.
- Add the two numbers together.
- Compare the result with the limits for categories B, B96, and BE.
For caravans, boat trailers, horse trailers, and heavy-duty work trailers, this classification is more important than the colloquial names.
C1, C1E, C, and CE: Trucking Categories
Category C licenses are required for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 metric tons, unless the vehicle falls under the D category for buses. These categories often apply not only to truck driving but also to heavy motorhomes, special-purpose vehicles, and vans carrying large equipment.
C1
The C1 category covers vehicles weighing more than 3.5 metric tons and up to 7.5 metric tons, with a maximum of 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat. A trailer weighing up to 750 kg is permitted. The minimum age is usually 18 years.
A C1 license is often required for owners of heavy motorhomes and special-purpose vans that, according to the regulations, no longer fall under Class B.
C1E
The C1E category extends the C1 category to include heavy vehicle combinations. Typical examples include:
- a Category C1 vehicle with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg;
- A Category B vehicle with a trailer weighing more than 3.5 metric tons.
In both cases, the maximum permissible combination weight must not exceed 12 metric tons.
C and CE
The C category authorizes the operation of trucks weighing over 3.5 metric tons with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg. The CE category adds a heavy trailer or semi-trailer and is required for standard truck-trailer combinations.
The standard minimum age for C/CE is 21, but special exceptions are possible starting at age 18 for those in vocational training or who hold a Berufskraftfahrerqualifikation. For commercial transport, a single C or CE category is usually insufficient: a Fahrerqualifizierungsnachweis is required, which has replaced the former code 95 notation on the driver’s license.
The practical aspects of the profession are discussed in detail in the article about working as a long-haul truck driver in Germany.
D1, D1E, D, and DE: Passenger Transport
Class D licenses are required for vehicles designed to carry more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver. This is the bus category. For taxis or other paid passenger transport using a passenger car, a Class D license is not required, but a “Fahrerlaubnis zur Fahrgastbeförderung” (passenger transport license) may be necessary.
For Class D licenses, medical requirements, vision tests, and license renewal are important. After a certain age, the authorities may require additional assessments of reaction time, concentration, and psychophysical fitness.
D1 and D1E
D1 refers to small buses: no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat and a length of up to 8 m. A trailer without a D1E endorsement is limited to 750 kg. The standard minimum age is 21, but exceptions with certain conditions are possible for professional training.
The D1E category authorizes the operation of a D1 bus with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg.
D and DE
The D category covers buses with no limit on the number of passenger seats within the bus class, but a trailer without the DE endorsement is limited to 750 kg. Direct access is usually possible starting at age 24; through vocational training, it is possible earlier, but with restrictions.
The DE category removes the restriction on heavy trailers for the D bus category. For the profession of bus driver, language skills, qualifications, medical examinations, and employer requirements are also important; this is discussed in more detail in the article working as a bus driver in Germany.
L and T: Agriculture and Forestry
Categories L and T are not universal licenses for specialized vehicles. They are tied to agricultural, forestry, and similar commercial uses. If the vehicle is used on a construction site, in a warehouse, or in another industry, other driver’s license categories and internal employer authorizations may be required.
L
You can obtain a Class L license starting at age 16. This category covers, among other things, agricultural and forestry tractors with a maximum design speed of up to 40 km/h, provided they are used for their intended purpose. For combinations with trailers, the speed limit is 25 km/h. The L category may also cover certain self-propelled work machines and ground-based vehicles with a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h.
T
T is a broader agricultural category. It includes L and AM. With this category, you can drive tractors up to 60 km/h and self-propelled work machines up to 40 km/h, provided the equipment is used for agricultural or forestry purposes and related tasks.
For drivers under 18 years of age, a lower speed limit applies to the T category: typically, tractor units are limited to 40 km/h.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate Category E?
No. There is no separate modern Category E in Germany. Trailer privileges are distributed among categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E, and DE.
Do you need to renew your license every 15 years?
The document itself—the plastic card—is usually renewed every 15 years. For standard categories, this does not require a new exam. However, categories C/C1 and D/D1, along with their E variants, are renewed as a license authorization, typically every 5 years and require medical documentation.
Is a Class B license sufficient if the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is less than 3.5 metric tons?
Yes, provided that the permissible gross vehicle weight specified in the documents does not exceed 3.5 metric tons and all other conditions for Class B are met. The actual weight of the loaded vehicle does not replace the verification of the zulässige Gesamtmasse.
Can you ride a 125 cm³ motorcycle with a Class B license?
A standard Category B license is not sufficient. You need an A1 license, a German “Schlüsselzahl B196,” or a retained old license under German Class 3 regulations, provided it was issued before April 1, 1980, and the entitlement was transferred during the license exchange.
What do the codes 78, 79.03, 171, 194, 196, and 197 mean?
The codes in field 12 specify restrictions or retained previous privileges. The most common examples are:
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| 78 | Automatic transmission vehicles only |
| 79.03 | Three-wheeled vehicles only |
| 79.04 | Three-wheeled vehicles with a trailer weighing up to 750 kg |
| 171 | C1 also applies to D-class buses up to 7.5 metric tons, but without passengers |
| 174 | Transition provision for old licenses regarding the extended scope of category L |
| 194 | Category B in Germany for three-wheeled motor vehicles; over 15 kW — from age 21 |
| 196 | In Germany, a Class B license is extended to cover Class A1 vehicles after completing the required training |
| 197 | Automatic transmission exam with additional authorization for manual transmission after training |
Why is there usually no B1 category on German driver’s licenses?
Germany does not issue a B1 category as a separate class, although the field exists in the pan-European format. After exchanging a foreign license, you need to determine which German class a specific vehicle falls under: often it is AM or B.
Can a tourist obtain a German driver’s license?
To obtain a German driver’s license, you need an “ordentlicher Wohnsitz”—a permanent residence in Germany. A tourist visit is not sufficient. The procedures for obtaining and renewing a license are explained in detail in the article on obtaining a driver’s license in Germany.
Why might you be asked to undergo additional checks or take the MPU test?
For bus categories, passenger transport, and cases where the authorities have doubts about a driver’s fitness, more than just basic health is assessed. Reasons may include vision, reaction time, concentration, medical indicators, alcohol, drugs, or a history of violations.
Are there “license-free cars” in Germany?
You cannot legally operate a full-sized vehicle without a driver’s license. Without a full license category or a separate Prüfbescheinigung, the only exceptions are very limited: mopeds up to 25 km/h, certain mobility aids for people with disabilities, and specific electric scooters subject to special regulations. Light microcars up to 45 km/h generally fall under the AM category.
