Water Is Life

How to get a driver’s license in Deutschland? The fact that you have chosen to read this article already proves that you are familiar or at least you have heard of Deutschland’s traffic system. Instead of describing the fancy driving experience in Deutschland’s runway-like-road or autobahn, where in some specific routes there is no speed limit, where you practically drive as fast as possible by the laws of physics and the power of your car, I’m going to describe the procedure of getting a driver’s license in Deutschland. Topic Newbie Drivers (who does not have a driver’s license) First Aid (Erste Hilfe) Training Certificate Eye test (See Test) Copy of your passport Passport size Photo Experienced Drivers (Who already owns a driver’s license) First Aid (Erste Hilfe) Training Certificate Eye test (See Test) Copy of your passport Passport size Photo Certified translated (into Deutsch) copy of your driving license Copy of your driving license Registration: 65 Address verification 43 Learning Material: 60 First Aid Training: 20 Eye test: 7 Passport size Photo: 5 Practical Training fee: 200
(Depends on the numbers of minutes you need to prepare yourself)

Documents

1. 2. 3. 4.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Cost*

1. 2. (approximate cost 3. in the year 2013; 4. considering you 5. are good at 6. driving and you pass all the tests in 7. first try. Currency mentioned in euro)

Registration: Address verification Learning Material: First Aid Training: Eye test: Passport Size Photo: Practical Training fee:
(depends on the number of minute you need to prepare yourself but minimum is 750 minutes)

215 43 60 20 7 5 600

6. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Process

8. Exam fee: 105 105 9. Tutor’s fee 105 105 10. Translation and 50 verification of old driving license Total 1160 Total 680 1. Get registered in a driving school (Fahrschule) and get the learning material from the instructor. Learning materials are available in 14 languages and you can choose one. 2. Make sure you know all the answers from the learning material by heart. Try to make sense of the answers. If you can’t figure out the correct answer take your instructor’s help. All questions in your theory test will be from this learning material. There are almost 986 multiple 8. Exam fee: 9. Tutor’s fee: questions with one or multiple correct answer. You will have to answer all the correct answers of the same question to get the credit for the question.

You have to score at least 100 out of 110 to pass!

Testing Procedure

3. Let your instructor know when you are ready to take the theory test. He will book a time for you according to your choice and availability. 4. After you pass your theory test you start your practical training. To be qualified to take the practical test you are supposed to take at least 16 hours of practical training. There is no mandatory practical training required for experienced driver with existing driving license. 5. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready to take the practical test. Book a time for the practical test according to your preference. 6. Your instructor will be sitting the front passenger’s seat and the test inspector will sit at the back during your 45 minutes practical test. 7. You get your driver’s license immediately after you pass your test. However, in case you are already a driving license holder, you get your driver’s license 14-21 days after you pass your practical test. You will need to submit your original license after you pass your test. In the mean time you will be provided with a piece of document which will work as your temporary driving license until the original one arrives at your address by post! Theory: Number of questions: 30 Total Points: 110 Passing Score: 100 Practical: You will be tested upon the following topics: a. Your driving skill b. Your parking skill c. European Traffic system d. Your attitude towards pedestrian and other drivers e. Your obedience towards rules and regulations f. How careful you are while driving; especially while changing direction! There is no pass or fail point in practical test. While you are taking the test you will know it by yourself if you have passed or failed.

Cautions!

Theory: Make sure you know all the correct answers before you sit for test. You will have to count fine (penalty) even if you fail! Practical: There is no pass or fail point. 1. Always make sure you stop at a. STOP sign b. Red light

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

c. when people crossing at pedestrian crossing Always maintain the correct lane Never forget to use your indicator while changing lanes or direction Always look over your shoulder and at the mirrors while changing direction. Look for right before left! Never cut corners or run into or over solid lines or hard shoulder.

It is advised not to be hasty while learning the theory questions as well as during the practical training. Take as much time as you need to prepare yourself. It’s wise to pay your driving instructor money for more training instead of paying fine due to failing the test. Every time you fail the theory test you pay additional 100 euro! Every time you fail the practical test you pay additional 150 euro, at least! So, do your own math. Deutschland is the fifth toughest country in the world to get a driving license. But it is valid for 15 years (according to new rules) and all over the world! After 15 years you will have to submit your license and then get a new one. You won’t have to go through any test any more. People who already acquired driving license before 19th January 2013 do not have an expiry date but they will have to change their driving license by the year 2033 anyway! The cost estimation given here is just estimation and from my experience only. It may vary in time and place! Anyone being able to make his/her driving license at a cost less than showed above should consider himself/herself lucky 