English Driving School Hamburg
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First Aid Class in English
Free Theory App in English
Free Theory Book in English
Free Eye Test
Translate your licence to German
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First Aid Course in Hamburg
- First Aid Course for Driving License
- First Aid Course in English in Hamburg
Driving License Conversion (Umschreibung)
Check below to know what rule applies to each state.
German Driving Licence
For driving any vehicle, driving licence is mandatory in Germany. The rules for getting a German driving license vary where you come from. It’s tricky for expats to get German driving license. If you have your own driving licence, you can drive any vehicle legally in Germany with your existing licence for atleast six months after residing in Germany. German driving licence application usually takes times between four to six weeks to process.
Introduction To Getting a German Driving Licence
German licence is just equivalent to a license from a non-EU member state. If you have a grant from a non-EU part state, you need to consider how long you are going to stay in Germany.
- You can use your foreign license, if you stay for fewer than six months.
- You need to get an extension for your international permit from the local Driver’s License Department after six months, if you stay in Germany for six to twelve months.
- You need German driving license, if you stay for longer than twelve months.
Licence Exchanges
If you applying or need a German driving licence, find out whether you have to clear a written exam and practical road test or need to clear any one of these exams or not at all. The requirements for applying a German driving licence, completely depends on your country of origin.
Individuals whose driving grant was issued in Andorra, Australia, Canada, Channel Islands & Isle of Man, Croatia, French Polynesia, Israel, Japan, Monaco, Namibia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, and Switzerland states can exchange it for a German license.
On the other side, licenses issued by US states or territories such as Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. One have to take at least one of the exams before applying a German driving license, who received their license anywhere.
B197 Driving License
The B197 Driving License program combines driver training in an automatic car with additional manual training, so even if you take a driving test in an automatic car, you can drive a manual car without restrictions.
Further Requirements
If you are going for the theoretical test for the German driving license, don’t take it easy. Almost all students gets fail in this multiple choice exam on their firsts try. To preparing for theoretical test, there are several textbooks, guides, and software packages available for the exam preparation.
Applying for German driving license can be expensive, as according to law candidates have to take lot of mandatory classes. If you know driving but you need practice for exam preparation, you can ask your instructor if he/she can offers some special classes or lessons for experienced drivers. Also licenses for young drivers or someone who drives truck, bus, or motorcycle have some extra conditions.
Once you become able to exchange your old permit for a German driving license, you need some important following documents.
- An official translation of your foreign driving permit
- An application form for a German driving vehicle license
- A passport or any ID card (and two photos)
- Your German residence permit
- A statement you received from your driving instructor that you passed the written exam or the road test.
- Proof that you have already taken a first-aid class recently
- Proof that you have passed a medical vision test
Checklist for getting German Driving Licence
- Driving Licence Application form (from the School)
- First Aid class certifcate
- Biometric photo 35mm x 45mm
- Eyesight test results
- Translation of your licence to German
- Original Driving Licence
- Passport
€68,50 processing fee - Meldebestätigung: Your first registeration in Germany (including date of entry and country of origin, obtain this from the Ausländerbehörde
Driving School Classes in English
Personal requirements / risk factor human
- Physical abilities
- Limitations of physical abilities
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs and medication
- Emotions
- Self-image; driving ideals and driving roles
Legal framework
- Driving motor vehicles, driving license
- Registration of vehicles, vehicle documents
- Vehicle inspections
- Insurances, loss of insurance coverage
Traffic signs and traffic facilities
- Basic rule § 1 (StVO)
- Traffic signs
- Danger sign
- Regulatory sign
- Directional sign
- Traffic facilities
- Symbols
Road transport system and its use
- Traffic routes and their meaning
- Road markings
- Road use
Right of way
- Definition
- Left turn / priority of oncoming traffic
- Right before left
- Traffic signs regulating the right of way
- Turning right of way
- Traffic circle
Traffic regulations/ Railroad crossings
- Traffic control by traffic lights
- Green arrow sign
- Permanent light sign
- Traffic regulation by police officers
- Interconnections right of way / traffic regulations
- Special traffic situations
- Railroad crossings
Speed, distance and environmentally friendly driving
- Speed – Meaning
- Choice of speed
- Speed regulations
- Stopping distance
- Safety distances
- Environmentally conscious driving at intersections and junctions
Other participants in road traffic: characteristics and behavior
- Road users – overview
- Public transport
- Passenger cars
- Motorcycles
- Large and heavy vehicles
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
- Children
- Elderly and disabled people
- Traffic calming measures
Traffic behavior
- during driving maneuvers, traffic observation
- Driving in, starting
- Side-by-side driving
- Passing
- Overtaking
- Turning
- Reversing
- Turning
- Swerving
Stationary traffic
- Stopping and parking
- Stopping bans
- Parking bans
- Parking time monitoring devices
- Getting in and out
Behavior in special situations
- Lighting
- Tunnel
- Behavior towards special vehicles
- Behavior after a traffic accident
- Towing, towing and towing to a vehicle
- Warning signs
Lifelong learning / Consequences of violations against traffic regulations
- Numbers, data, facts
- Older drivers
- Middle-aged drivers
- Novice and young drivers
- Young drivers – measures taken by the legislator
- Punishment of misconduct
Technical conditions environmentally conscious handling with motor vehicles
- operational safety
- Road safety
- Other vehicle technology
- Electronic aids
- Driving physics
- Use of the brakes
- Environmentally friendly handling of the motor vehicle / traffic bans
Driving with solo vehicles and trains, passenger and freight transportation
- Assembling trains
- Connecting and disconnecting
- Driving with trains
- Passenger transport
- Freight transport
- Vehicle dimensions
- Social regulations
FAQ Getting a German Driving Licence
B197 program introduced in April 2021 allows you to take your driving test in an automatic vehicle and with an addtional 10 driving classes in a manual you also qualify to drive a manual vehicle.
B197 helps students pass the driving test quicker (easier to pass in an automatic vehicle). Passing the B197 test also allows you to drive a manual vehicle abroad without restriction.
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No, you cannot take the driving test in English in Germany. You may take the theory test in English, French, Greek, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish or Turkish
Manual cars are more common in Gemany, however most luxury vehicles and many new vehicles are available as automatic,
The Class B license is a type of driver’s license in Germany that allows the holder to drive a vehicle with a weight of up to 3,500 kilograms and/or a seating capacity of up to eight passengers. 8+1 rule means 8 passengers and 1 driver so 9 seats total.
The automatic car license falls under category BA. Anyone who took and passed their practical driving test in an automatic car is only allowed to drive automatic cars. Now the B197 program allows students to take the driving test driving an automatic and when they take an additonal 10 driving classes in a manual, then qualify to also drive an automatic.Â
Yes, you can take your driving test in an automatic car in Germany. If you pass the test in an automatic car, the B197 will allow you to drive a manual car also.
There is no limit on how many times you can take the test. You will just have to pay the exam fee each time.
Class B driver’s licenses allow the holder to drive passenger cars and/or trucks that weigh up to 3.5 metric tons 3500kg. If you want to haul trailers with more than 750 kg, you must obtain a BE driving licence. This also requires additional driving lessons and a special examination.
A road test in Germany typically lasts between 30 and 75 minutes, depending on the licence category you are applying for. The 12-month timeframe to take your practical test begins after you pass your theory test. Your examiner, who will be assessing your driving skills -will be in the backseat, while your instructor accompanies you up front from the passenger seat.
In Germany, the practical test at the test centre costs €116.93 euros and the theory test is €22.49 euros. If you fail a test, you’ve to pay again the exam fee.
You can get your license in anything from 4 to 12 months. Those who have no licence from abroad must complete 14 theory classes, which are 90 minutes each.
Yes, you can take the driving theory test in English, French, Greek, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and of course German.