Driving School — Costs and Process for Class B

How much does a Class B driver's license cost?

A Class B driver's license (cars up to 3.5 t) costs between €2,500 and €4,000 in Germany in total — depending on the city, Fahrschule, and number of required Fahrstunde. In major cities like Hamburg, Munich, or Frankfurt, prices tend to be higher.

Cost Overview 2025/2026

The 12 Mandatory Sonderfahrten

Regardless of driving ability, 12 Sonderfahrten are legally required:

• 5 country roads (federal road)
• 4 motorway drives
• 3 night drives (dusk/darkness)

The number of regular Fahrstunde depends on your learning progress. On average, driving school students need 25–40 Fahrstunde.

Process of Obtaining a Driver's License

1. Register at a Fahrschule — pay registration fee, sign contract
2. First Aid Course — 9 teaching units (1 day), providers: DRK, ASB, Malteser
3. Eye Test — at any optician (approx. 7 €)
4. Submit Application to the driving license authority
5. Theory Classes — 14 double hours (12 basic + 2 class-specific)
6. Theory Exam — multiple choice on computer, 30 questions, max. 10 error points
7. Practical Fahrstunde — practice drives + 12 Sonderfahrten
8. Practical Exam — approx. 45–55 minutes, examiner from TÜV/DEKRA

Failure Rate and Retakes

• Theory Exam: Failure rate approx. 34%. Retake after 14 days, costs: 23 € + optional additional training
• Practical Exam: Failure rate approx. 29%. Retake after 14 days, costs: 117 € + optional additional Fahrstunde

Money-Saving Tips

• Compare Fahrschule — prices vary by up to 30%
• Intensive Course — 2–4 weeks crash course, often cheaper due to less forgetting
• Learning Apps — driver's license apps (e.g., "Führerschein 2026") for theory exam
• Need Fewer Fahrstunde — those who have already driven abroad often need fewer hours

Tip for Foreigners: First check if your foreign driver's license can be transferred (→ article "Führerschein umschreiben"). This saves 1,000–3,000 €.

As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.