Berufskraftfahrer Grundqualifikation prüfen

Drivers in commercial road haulage or passenger transport must provide proof of a special qualification in addition to their driving license.

If you wish to transport goods or passengers by road for professional purposes, you must provide proof of the so-called basic qualification for professional drivers in addition to your driving license.

This applies to drivers of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons in road haulage and works transport or of vehicles with more than eight passenger seats in passenger transport, provided that a C or D class driving license is required to drive the vehicle/vehicle combination.

If you obtained your driver's license before 10.9.2008 (bus) or 10.9.2009 (truck), you do not have to provide proof of basic qualification ("acquis").

Training as a professional driver is also recognized as a basic qualification for passenger and freight transport. Training as a driving specialist is only recognized as an initial qualification for passenger transport, while training as a road warden and plant firefighter is only recognized for freight transport

The basic qualification examination comprises a theoretical examination and a practical examination.

You do not have to take any preparatory courses to take the test.

A driving license is also not required at the time of taking the exam.

If you have certificates of professional competence in accordance with the professional access regulations for road haulage and passenger transport (GBZugV and PBZugV), the theoretical parts of the examination are simplified. However, you must pass the practical examination in full.

The type of examination differs depending on the prerequisites:

1. Standard examination "Basic qualification"

You must take the standard examination if you cannot provide proof of a certificate of professional competence in road haulage or passenger transport ("transport manager examination") for the type of transport in question, nor if you have successfully passed an (accelerated) basic qualification examination for the other type of transport.

1. Changeover examination "Basic qualification"

You can take the "Umsteiger" examination if you have already successfully passed the standard examination for the type of transport that is not the subject of the "Umsteiger" examination. For example, future bus drivers are taught how to behave in relation to passengers, as this was not part of their first basic qualification in freight transport.This also applies to drivers who obtained their driving license for the other mode of transport before the respective cut-off date (acquis).

3. lateral entrant test "initial qualification"

You can take the "lateral entrant" test if you have valid proof of a specialist knowledge test for the type of transport for which the test is to be taken. As not all the knowledge that a driver must have is tested in the certificate of professional competence, you must also obtain the basic qualification as the holder of a certificate of professional competence.

In order to be admitted to the examination, you must submit the following documents to the responsible IHK with your application:

1. Standard examination:

• No proof required

1. Transferee:

• Proof of the type of transport that is not the subject of the transfer test - Proof of passing the "basic qualification"/"accelerated basic qualification" test in accordance with the BKrFQG or
• Driving license with a valid entry of the key number 95 or
• Driving license with a driving license category that was acquired before the respective cut-off date or
• a driver qualification certificate in accordance with Annex II of Directive 2003/59/EC of July 15, 2003 (OJ No. L226/4 of 10.9.2003) or
• a driver attestation in accordance with Annex 3 BKrFQV or
• a driver's certificate in accordance with Section 5 (3) BKrFQV

1. lateral entrants

• certificate of professional competence in accordance with the model in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 for the type of transport that is the subject of the lateral entry examination.

• For the basic qualification test, you need a suitable test vehicle to take the practical test. If you are unable to provide a suitable test vehicle, the IHK can arrange a suitable test vehicle for you on request.
• Furthermore, you must provide a driving instructor for the practical test who is in possession of a valid driving instructor license for the driving license classes CE for goods transport or DE for passenger transport. If you are unable to provide a driving instructor who meets the above requirements, the IHK can arrange a suitable driving instructor on request.

The examination fee is based on the applicable fee schedule of the local Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

You register for the examination at the local Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the examination dates (theoretical and practical examination) are coordinated.

• The IHK confirms your registration for the exam
• You take the theoretical examination.
• After passing the theoretical examination, you will take the practical examination.

After passing both parts of the exam, you will receive a certificate from the IHK, which you present to the driving license office.

As a rule, you will receive notification of whether you have passed or failed the examination approximately 2 weeks after taking it.

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The entire set of questions for the examination to obtain the accelerated professional driver qualification is published on the DIHK website:

Question bank for professional drivers in freight transport

Question pool for professional driver passenger transport

Journeys for specific purposes, such as:

• Police vehicles, fire department, emergency rescue by recognized rescue services that carry out transport as part of their duties
• agricultural and forestry transport

are exempt from the obligation.

• In some federal states: Appeal
• Administrative court proceedings
• For more details, please refer to the notification of passing / failing the examination

• The basic qualification (basic qualification / accelerated basic qualification) must be proven for the professional transportation of passengers and goods
• For this: Basic qualification test for passenger transport (bus) and freight transport (truck) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
• Regular basic qualification without prior special training
• Easier examination for those changing over (e.g. from bus to truck)
• Easier examination for lateral entrants who have already passed the aptitude test for entrepreneurs
• Already proven with certain vocational training, for example as a professional driver
• No qualification required for certain purposes, e.g. emergency vehicles, agriculture and forestry

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

• Forms: Registration for the exam
• Online procedure possible: partially
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes, for the exam