Truck driving licence: costs, classes and requirements at a glance
What are the driving licence classes for the truck driving licence?
In the European Union (EU), there are four different categories of driving licences for driving trucks:
- Driving licence class C1Class C1 allows you to drive trucks with a total weight of over 3.5 tonnes. However, they must not weigh more than 7.5 tonnes. In addition to the driver's seat, up to eight additional passenger seats are allowed in the vehicle. With a driving licence class C1, you are also allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum weight of 750 kilograms.
- Driving licence class C1EWith the driving licence class C1E you have extended possibilities. In addition to the authorizations from class C1, you can tow a trailer with class C1E, which may weigh more than 750 kilograms if necessary. The decisive factor here is the permissible total mass (GVW) of the tractor unit and trailer: it must not exceed 12 tonnes. Of this, a maximum of 7.5 tonnes may be accounted for by the tractor.
- Driving licence class CIf you have a driving licence with a registered driving licence class C, you are allowed to drive trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes; there is no maximum weight. In addition to the driver's seat, the vehicle may offer a maximum of eight additional passenger seats. You can also tow pendants. However, they must not weigh more than 750 kilograms. If you acquire a class C driving licence, class C1 is automatically included.
- Driving licence class CEWith the CE class, you also have extended possibilities when driving a truck. If you have a driving licence class CE, you can also tow trailers weighing more than 750 kilograms with the towing vehicle. With class CE, you automatically have class C1E.
By the way, the weight limits specified in these classes also apply to tours with the motorhome. Class C1 or C1E is therefore the right driving licence class for travelling with a motorhome if it weighs more than 3.5 tonnes but less than 7.5 tonnes. If it weighs more, you need a class C or CE driver's license. You can drive a motorhome with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons with a class B (formerly class 3) driver's license.
What requirements do I have to meet for the truck driver's license?
If you want to get the truck driver's license, you have to meet some requirements. They ensure the safety of all road users. These things are mandatory:
- Possession of a car driving licence (class B, formerly class 3)
- Reaching a minimum age
- Passing various examinations or tests
- For commercial drivers: basic qualification as a professional driver and further training every five years
What age do I have to be for a truck driver's license?
The minimum age for the truck driving licence depends on the driving licence class you want to acquire:
- For the driving licence categories C1 and C1E, a minimum age of 18 years is required.
- For a class C and CE driving licence, a minimum age of 21 years is mandatory.
There is an exception if you are training to become a professional driver or have already completed it or are a trained specialist in driving operations: Then you can get a class C or CE driving licence from the age of 18. However, you are initially only allowed to ride in Germany and only those tours that are pending in training.
What examinations are necessary for the truck driver's license?
For the truck driver's license of all classes, you must pass two health tests:
- General health examinationA doctor will examine you and determine in a certificate whether you are fit for the truck driver's license or not. The general physical state of health is decisive for this, but mental illnesses are also noted if necessary.
- Eye testIn addition to the general aptitude test, you must pass an eye test. Visual acuity is tested, but also color vision, contrast vision, twilight vision and more.
What is the Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG)?
If you want to get your truck driver's license in order to use it commercially, you must prove a professional driver qualification in addition to the above requirements.
You will acquire the basic qualification through a theoretical and practical examination at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Alternatively, you can acquire it through successful training as a professional driver or as a driving specialist. There is also the path of accelerated basic qualification. To do this, you will take part in a course and then write an exam.
After passing the basic qualification, you must complete further training every five years and thus prove your driver qualification again.
Until May 2021, the qualification with the key number 95 was entered in the driver's license. Today, a certificate in credit card format (it is similar to a credit card driver's license) proves the qualification. This is referred to as the Driver Qualification Certificate (FQN). You can get it from the driver's license authority.
Important: Professional drivers who already had a driving licence for trucks on 10 September 2009 do not have to prove that they have a basic qualification. In this case, only the further training every five years is necessary.
How many compulsory hours are required for the truck driving licence?
You do not have to have a minimum number of driving lessons (so-called compulsory hours) to be able to take the truck driving test. Only certain special trips are prescribed, such as:
- Overland journeys
- Motorway journeys
- Night Driving
The exact number of practice drives is determined by the desired driving licence class.
You can also expect to take about 10 to 16 hours of theory to get your truck driver's license. The exact number of hours depends on which driving licence class you have already acquired before and which you want to acquire now.
How much does a truck driver's license cost?
It is not possible to put an exact figure on the cost of the truck driver's license. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the individual requirements are different. For example, if you already have a car driver's license, these costs (amounting to at least 2,500 euros) are waived. On the other hand, where you get your truck driver's license is decisive, as prices can vary regionally.
Roughly speaking, you can only calculate with these values for the truck driver's license:
| Application for a driver's license | about 70 Euro |
| Registration fee for driving school | about 200 Euro |
| Theory lessons | about 400–600 euros |
| Practical lessons | about 800–1,000 euros |
| Exam fee for practice and theory | about 170 Euro |
| Medical examination, eye test | about 100–200 euros |
| Professional driver qualification (IHK) | approx. 2,000–3,500 euros |
| Total costs: | approx. 3,740–5,740 euros |
Time limit: How long is a truck driver's license valid?
The new driving licence classes were introduced on 1 January 1999. Since then, truck driving licences have no longer been valid indefinitely. These regulations apply:
- Truck driving licences of categories C and CE issued before 1 January 1999 are valid until the age of 50. There is no time limit for classes C1 and C1E.
- Driving licences for trucks acquired from 1 January 1999 and before 28 December 2016 are limited to five years in categories C and CE. Driving licences of categories C1 and C1E are valid until the age of 50.
- Driving licences of categories C1, C1E, C and CE issued from 28 December 2016 are valid for five years.
Renewal: How can I renew my truck driver's license?
You are not obliged to renew your driver's license. However, if you want to continue driving trucks, you need a valid document. You can apply for the extension or renewal of your driving licence at the driving licence office at the earliest six months before it expires. Make an appointment in good time. Especially in large cities, lead times of several weeks are not uncommon.
You do not have to take the driving test again to renew the document and get a truck driver's license valid for five years. There is therefore no further probationary period. However, you will have to go back to the health check and eye test for the extension or renewal of the document. You are also obliged to prove the professional driver qualification through further training.
Forgot to renew your driver's license: And now?
If you do not renew your truck driver's license or do not renew it in time, the legal situation is different from that of a car driver's license. In the case of a car, the only thing missing is the document proving the existing driver's license, which continues to exist indefinitely. So you only drive without a driver's license, not without a driver's license. We explain the difference between the two cases here: Driving without a license.
However, if the extension of the truck driver's license is missing, there is automatically no driver's license. This is regulated in § 23 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV): The driving licence (not just the driving licence!) of categories C1, C1E, C and CE is limited to five years. So if you drive a corresponding vehicle without a truck driver's license extended in time, you are committing a criminal offense.
Imprisonment of up to one year
If you drive a motor vehicle without having the necessary driver's license, you are liable to prosecution. According to § 21 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG), you face a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine. By the way, the same penalty also applies if you, as the owner of a vehicle, allow someone else to drive without a driver's license.
How much does it cost to renew the truck driver's license?
You can roughly calculate the costs for the renewal or renewal of your driver's license as follows:
| Issuing a new driver's license | about 35–45 euros |
| Issuance of a new driver qualification certificate (FQN) | about 32–40 euros |
| Biometric passport photo | about 10 Euro |
| Medical examination and eye test | about 100–200 euros |
| Fee for further training professional driver qualification | about 200–500 euros |
| Total costs: | approx. 377–795 euros |
Exchange of driving licences: Do I have to exchange my truck driving licence?
By 2033, only uniform driving licence documents are to exist in the EU. If you still have a pink or grey paper driving licence or one of the credit card driving licences issued before 19 January 2013, you must exchange it in due time. When you have to replace it with a driver's license in the EU-wide valid credit card format at the latest depends on various factors. You can find details in the article: Driver's license exchange.
Class 3 and 2 Truck Driving License: Equivalence and Protection of Vested Rights
If you exchange your driver's license acquired before January 19, 2013, the so-called vested rights protection applies. This means that you can continue to drive all vehicles that you were previously allowed to drive: The new driving licence will enter the driving licence classes that correspond to the old ones. For example, if you had a class 3 driver's license, the new driver's license will include classes C1 and C1E.
If you exchange your class 3 driving licence before your 50th birthday, class CE can be assigned on application. However, it will then be limited to vehicles that have previously fallen into class 3. In addition, the age limit of 50 years also applies here. The limit is noted with the key number 79 in the driver's license. If you want to continue driving vehicles in class CE at a later date, you must renew your driving licence accordingly and meet the prescribed requirements.
If you rewrite your class 2 driving licence to the EU driving licence, the same applies to the EU driving licence: then the categories C1, C1E, C and CE, among others, will be entered. If you want to move trucks that fall into classes C and CE, you are only allowed to do so until your 50th birthday. However, an extension is also possible here.
Checklist: How to renew your truck driver's license
Use our checklist when the next renewal of the truck driving licence of class C1, C1E, C or CE is due. This way you stay mobile and can be sure to think of everything.
- Go to the health check.
- Get an eye test.
- Refresh your professional driver qualification in further training if you use the truck driver's license commercially.
- Have a biometric passport photo taken.
- Make an appointment to renew your truck driver's license.
- In addition to the above-mentioned documents, take your valid identity card or passport and your current driver's license with you to the driver's license authority. Apply for the extension there.
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