This directory covers Germany's key driving authorities, including national bodies like the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt and authorized test providers like TÜV and DEKRA. Responsibilities are split between municipal offices handling licence applications and independent organizations conducting the official examinations. Our overview guides you to the correct contact before you book a test, request driver records, or apply for a permit.
Germany’s driving and licensing system divides responsibilities between local administrative offices, technical testing providers, and national federal bodies. This overview clarifies which organization handles specific tasks like theory test delivery, licence issuance, or central register management. Knowing the correct authority for your current application stage ensures you contact the right office to move forward with your request efficiently.
Bodies that shape driving policy, publish official driver information, or support road-safety education.
Driving law and policy, Official driver guidance
Organizations involved in learner permits, instructor or school oversight, test administration, and test delivery.
Learner permits, Driver-training regulation, Driving-school oversight, Instructor licensing, Theory-test delivery, Practical-test delivery, Test-centre oversight
Authorities responsible for issuing, renewing, replacing, exchanging, restricting, or assessing driving licences.
First licence issuance, Licence registry, Licence renewal, Licence replacement, Licence category additions, Foreign licence exchange, International driving permits, Medical fitness, Licence restrictions, Licence suspension or revocation, Professional driver qualification
Bodies that manage driver records, penalty information, vehicle registration, or technical inspection.
Driver records, Penalty points or endorsements, Vehicle registration
Understanding which official body manages your learner permit, theory test, or driver record is essential for a successful application. This directory distinguishes between local licensing offices, technical testing organisations, and federal regulators to ensure your enquiries reach the correct office.
Local public authority · Local
The local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde is the German public office that opens, checks and decides an individual's driving-licence case. It is the main administrative contact for first licences, category additions, renewals, replacements, foreign-licence exchanges and fitness-to-drive questions.
Authorized test provider · Multiple regions
Officially recognised technical testing organisations, principally regional TÜV organisations and DEKRA, deliver Germany's theory and practical driving tests. They provide the examiner, test location and official result, but they do not decide whether a licence may be issued.
National public authority · National
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt maintains Germany's central driver, fitness, professional-driver and vehicle registers and provides official register information to individuals. It is especially relevant when a driver needs a points record or wants to understand centrally stored licensing data.
Government ministry · National
The Federal Ministry of Transport is responsible for Germany's national road-transport policy and the federal legal framework governing driving licences, training and examinations. It explains and develops the system but is not a customer counter for individual applicants.
Dive deeper into detailed instructions for specific German driving licence procedures. Find guidance on eligibility, required forms, application deadlines, and contact information for relevant authorities, ensuring you complete your administrative tasks correctly and efficiently.
German Licence Procedures Guide