Fahrerlaubnis - Bestehende Fahrerlaubnis um Klasse C, C1, CE oder C1E erweitern

If you want to drive trucks, you must have your driver's license extended by class C, CE, C1 or C1E at the driver's license authority in your place of residence. These extended driving license classes are limited to 5 years.

To drive trucks or vehicle combinations consisting of a truck and a trailer, you need an extended driver's license for class C, CE, C1 or C1E. You can apply for the extension of your driver's license at the driver's license office in your place of residence. When you apply for an extended driver's license for classes C, CE, C1, or C1E, the license is issued for a limited period of 5 years. You must apply for an extension before the expiry date.

Depending on the class, the extended driver's license entitles you to drive various trucks or vehicle combinations consisting of a truck and a trailer. To apply for the extension, you must meet various requirements.

Class C driver's license:

Motor vehicles with more than 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat.

trailers with up to 750 kg maximum permissible mass

required driver's license: class B

Minimum age: 21 years or 18 years if you drive trucks for professional purposes

Driving license class CE:

Motor vehicles with more than 3.5t total weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat

trailers with up to 750 kg maximum permissible weight

required driving license: class C

Minimum age: 21 years or 18 years if you drive trucks for professional purposes

Driving license class C1:

Motor vehicles with a total permissible mass of between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg and a maximum of 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat

trailers with a maximum permissible total mass of 750 kg

required driving license: class B

minimum age: 18 years

Driving license class C1E:

Motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass between 3,.500 kg and 7,500 kg and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat.

trailers or semi-trailers with a maximum permissible mass of 750 kg, provided that the total permissible mass of the vehicle combination does not exceed 12,000 kg.

for towing vehicle of class B: trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 3,500 kg, provided that the maximum authorized mass of the vehicle combination does not exceed 12,000 kg.

required driving license: class C1

Minimum age: 18 years

Photo ID (identity card or passport (if passport is presented: attach a current registration certificate from the registration office responsible for the main place of residence)).

current photograph, 45 x 35 mm in portrait format and without border (so-called biometric passport photograph) - frontal photograph, without head covering and without covering of the eyes

Proof of eyesight according to the model in Annex 6 to the Driving License Ordinance. You can have the certificate issued by an ophthalmologist, by a company or occupational physician, or by a physician from the public health department. An issued certificate/attestation is valid for 2 years.

Proof of physical and mental aptitude according to the model in Annex 5 to the Driving License Ordinance (not older than 1 year). You can have the certificate issued by any doctor.

Proof of participation in a training course in first aid (if not already proven to the driving license authority)

current driving license

Details of the driving school

Your main place of residence is in Germany.

You have a driver's license with the respective required class.

You have reached the minimum age for the respective class.

You can submit your application at the earliest 6 months before reaching the minimum age.

You are qualified to drive a truck.

You have successfully completed the theoretical and practical training and examination required in the class applied for to drive a truck.

The fee is based on the Fee Regulations for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).

If the driver's license is sent directly to the home address, an additional shipping fee will be charged.

A driving license for classes C1 or C may only be issued if the applicant already holds the driving license for class B or has fulfilled the requirements for its issue. In this case, the driving license for the higher class may be issued at the earliest with the class B driving license.

A category C1E or CE driving license may only be issued if the applicant already holds the driving license for the towing vehicle or has fulfilled the requirements for its issuance. In this case, the driver's license for class C1E or CE may be issued at the earliest with the driver's license for the towing vehicle.

If a class C or CE driving license is to be issued for the first time as part of a professional driver training course before the regular minimum age is reached, a medical-psychological report from an officially recognized assessment center is required.

If you wish to use your driver's license commercially, you must observe the regulations on professional driver qualification (BKrFQG) (Professional Driver Qualification Act). In this context, further information can be found in the "Application Notes on the Professional Driver Qualification Law". These are intended in particular to make it easier for the drivers and companies concerned to apply the regulations and to provide assistance.

The current version of the application notes is published on the website of the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility:

Objection

Action before the administrative court

Driving license with limited period of validity Extension by classes C, C1, CE or C1E

an already existing driving license can be extended by further driving license classes (colloquially "truck class")

the respective C class entitles the holder to drive various trucks

Depending on the C class, different requirements are necessary

driving license limited to 5 years

responsible: Driving license authority of the place of residence

Please contact the driver licensing authority in your place of residence.

The federal, state, and local governments are currently working on making it possible for you to complete all essential administrative procedures digitally.

Please check the website of your local driver's license office, for example, to see whether it already offers electronic application for your driver's license.