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Existing driving licence extended by category D, D1, DE or D1E driving licence

  • Service description

    To drive buses or vehicle combinations consisting of a bus and a trailer, you need an extended driving licence for category D, DE, D1 or D1E. You can apply for the extension of your driving licence at the driving licence authority in your place of residence. If your driving licence is extended to include categories D, DE, D1 and D1E, it will be issued for a limited period of 5 years. You must apply for an extension before this period expires.

    Depending on the category, you are authorised to drive various buses with an extended driving licence. To apply for the extension, you must fulfil various requirements.

    Class D driving licence:

    • Motor vehicles for the transport of more than 8 persons other than the driver
    • Trailers with a total weight of up to 750kg
    • Required driving licence: B
    • Minimum age: 24 years or 20 years if you drive buses for a living

    Class DE driving licence:

    • Motor vehicles for the transport of more than 8 persons other than the driver
    • Trailers with a total weight of more than 750kg
    • Required driving licence: D
    • Minimum age: 24 years or 20 years if you drive buses for a living

    Class D1 driving licence:

    • Motor vehicles for the transport of a maximum of 16 persons other than the driver
    • Maximum total length: 8m
    • Trailers with a total weight of up to 750kg
    • Required driving licence: B
    • Minimum age: 21 years or 18 years if you drive buses for a living

    Class D1E driving licence:

    • Motor vehicles for the transport of a maximum of 16 persons other than the driver
    • Maximum total length: 8m
    • Trailers with a total weight of more than 750kg
    • Required driving licence: D1
    • Minimum age: 21 years or 18 years if you drive buses for a living
  • Who should I contact?

    Competent driving licence authority

  • Prerequisites

    • Your main place of residence is in Germany.
    • You have a driving licence with the required category.
    • You have reached the minimum age for the respective class.
    • You are physically and mentally fit to drive a bus.
    • You have successfully completed the theoretical and practical training and examination for driving a bus - the scope of which varies depending on the category applied for.
  • Which documents are required?

    • Valid identity card or passport with current registration certificate
    • Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view)
    • Eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
    • Proof of physical and mental aptitude (not older than 1 year)
    • current driving licence
    • Details of the driving school
    • Proof of participation in a first aid training course
    • Police clearance certificate (not older than 3 months)
    • Performance psychology report (not older than 1 year)
  • What fees are incurred?

    The fee is based on the scale of fees for road traffic measures (GebOSt).

    If the driving licence is sent directly to your home address, an additional shipping fee will be charged.

  • Legal basis

  • Applications / Forms

    Online services available: no

  • What else should I know?

    If you wish to use your driving licence for commercial purposes, you must comply with the regulations on professional driver qualification (BKrFQG).

  • Short text

    • Driving licence with limited period of validity Extension to categories D, D1, DE or D1E
    • an existing driving licence can be extended to include the additional driving licence categories D, D1, DE, D1E, colloquially known as "bus categories"
    • The respective D class authorises you to drive various buses
    • Different requirements necessary depending on the D-class
    • Driving licence limited to 5 years
    • Responsible: competent driving licence authority
  • Typing

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