Applying for an extension to another driving license category

Are you already the holder of a driving license and would like to extend it by a further driving license (class)?

In principle, the provisions of the initial issue apply to the extension of a driving license

There are exceptions for

• the extension of category A1 to category A2 and the extension of category A2 to category A:
  If you have previously held category A1 or category A2 for two years, you only have to take one practical test in each case (upgrade).
• upgrading from category B to category BE, from category C1 to category C1E, from category D to category DE and from category D1 to category D1E:
  Only one practical test needs to be taken in each case.

The procedure is the same as that for obtaining a driver's license for the first time.

• Submit a written application to the driver’s license authority. It is recommended that you appear in person.
• Appearing in person is generally required because the applicant must sign a signature sticker—which is sent to the Federal Printing Office along with the order to produce the card-style driver’s license—in a precisely defined field using a special pen.
• After receiving the application, the driver’s license authority must determine whether there are any concerns regarding the applicant’s suitability. To do this, it will obtain information from the Central Traffic Register and the Central Driver’s License Register.
• Tip: The suitability review takes some time, so you should submit the application at the very beginning of your driver’s education.
• If the applicant still needs to take the required written and practical exams, the driver’s license authority will, following the suitability review, commission the Technical Testing Center (DEKRA) to administer the exams. The Technical Testing Center will generally return the testing order to the driver’s license authority if
  • the theory test has not been passed within twelve months of receiving the testing assignment,
  • the practical exam has not been passed within twelve months of passing the theoretical exam, or
  • in cases where no theoretical exam is required, the practical exam has not been passed within twelve months of receipt of the examination request.
• The provisional driver’s license and the associated issuance or extension of the driver’s license are generally issued after passing the written test (for Class L) or the practical test.

You can apply for an extension of your driver's license at the driver's license office in the county or independent city where you have your primary residence.
 

• Existing Driver's License
• To extend a driver’s license, the same requirements generally apply as for the initial issuance.
• The driver’s license is issued for the respective class if the applicant
  • has their primary residence in Germany,
  • has reached the minimum age required for the class applied for,
  • is fit to operate motor vehicles,
  • has been trained to drive motor vehicles in accordance with the Driving Instructor Act and the legal provisions based on it,
  • has demonstrated the ability to drive motor vehicles in a theoretical and practical examination,
  • is able to administer first aid,
  • does not hold a driver’s license of this class issued in a Member State of the European Union or another contracting state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and
  • for certain driver’s license classes, holds a driver’s license of another class (for example, for Class C, Class B is required as a prerequisite).
• Exceptions:
  • To obtain a Class L driver’s license, only a written test is required.
  • When upgrading a Class B driver’s license to Class BE, a Class C1 license to Class C1E, a Class D license to Class DE, or a Class D1 license to Class D1E, only a practical test is required in each case. This also applies to upgrading from Class A1 to Class A2 and from Class A2 to Class A, provided you have held the license to be upgraded for at least two years at the time of the upgrade.

• Application for an Extension
• Existing driver's license
• Proof of passing the driving test for the corresponding class; proof of prior ownership of vehicles in that class
• First aid certificate

Check with your local driver’s license office to find out what other applications and documents are required.

The fee is based on the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).

• Extension of a driver’s license from Classes L and T to an additional class with a probationary period: 44.70 euros and, if applicable, expenses for mailing the driver’s license
• Expansion of a driver’s license from classes A, B, C, D (including trailers and subclasses) to an additional class without a probationary period: 43.90 euros, plus any applicable shipping costs for the driver’s license

Generally none; the driver's license extension is issued immediately on site once all requirements have been met, or delivered via the online service.

Appeal

For more information, please refer to the notice of appeal rights included with the respective decision from the Driver’s License Office.

Check with your local driver's license office to find out which application forms or online services are available for your specific need. This may vary by municipality.

In light of the implementation of an EC directive, all driving licenses issued from January 19, 2013 will only be valid for 15 years. All driving licenses issued before January 19, 2013 will remain valid for the time being, but must be exchanged by January 19, 2033. A new driving test or health check is not planned. According to the directive, the time limit is intended to ensure that only driving license documents that meet all the requirements of the directive are in circulation from 19 January 2033.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thüringer Ministerium für Digitales und Infrastruktur

17.07.2026

Explanations regarding the required certificates:

• Certificates of completion of first aid training remain valid indefinitely (see § 76 No. 11(b) of the German Driver’s License Regulations (FeV)).
• Eye exam certificate: You can obtain an eye exam certificate from any ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• Certificate of a general medical examination: Any doctor can issue this certificate for you.
• Certificate of a medical examination of visual acuity: The certificate may be issued by an ophthalmologist, a physician with the specialty designation “occupational medicine,” a physician with the additional designation “occupational health,” a physician at an assessment center for driving fitness, a physician from the public health department, or another physician employed by the public administration.
• Occupational or occupational medicine assessment or an assessment from an officially recognized driver fitness evaluation center: Applicants for a Class DE driver’s license or a license to transport passengers, for example, must use this report to demonstrate that they meet specific requirements regarding stress tolerance, orientation, concentration, attention, and reaction time.

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