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To drive trucks or vehicle combinations consisting of a truck and a trailer, you need an extended driver's license for class C, CE, C1 or C1E. You can apply for the extension of your driver's license at the driver's license office in your place of residence. When you apply for an extended driver's license for classes C, CE, C1, or C1E, the license is issued for a limited period of 5 years. You must apply for an extension before the expiry date.

Depending on the class, the extended driver's license entitles you to drive various trucks or vehicle combinations consisting of a truck and a trailer. To apply for the extension, you must meet various requirements.

Class C driver's license:

• Motor vehicles with more than 3.5t total weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat
• trailers with up to 750kg total weight
• required driving license: class B
• Minimum age: 21 years, or 18 years if you drive trucks professionally

Driving license class CE:

• Motor vehicles with more than 3.5t total weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat
• trailers with more than 750kg total weight
• required driving license: class C
• Minimum age: 21 years, or 18 years if you are a professional truck driver.

driving license class C1:

• light commercial vehicles with between 3.5t and 7.5t total weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat
• trailers with up to 750kg total weight
• required driving license: class B
• minimum age: 18 years

driving license class C1E:

• light commercial vehicles with between 3.5t and 7.5t total weight and a maximum of 8 seats except the driver's seat
• trailers with more than 750kg total weight, maximum as heavy as the unladen weight of the towing vehicle
• maximum total weight of the combination of 12t
• required driving license: class C1
• minimum age: 18 years

• Your main place of residence is in Germany.
• You have a driver's license with the respective required class.
• You have reached the minimum age for the respective class when the driver's license is issued.
• You can submit your application at the earliest 6 months before reaching the minimum age.
• You are qualified to drive a truck.
• You have successfully completed the theoretical and practical training and examination required in the class applied for to drive a truck.

• Identity card or passport with current registration certificateCurrent biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal)
• Eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
• Proof of physical and mental fitness (not older than 1 year)
• current driving license
• Information about the driving school

The fee is based on the Fee Regulations for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).

If the driver's license is sent directly to the home address, an additional shipping fee will be charged.

• Fee regulations for road traffic measures (GebOSt)

Driving license authority of the place of residence (district or independent city)

Driving license authority

• § 21 Driving License Ordinance - FeV)
• § Section 23 Ordinance on the Admission of Persons to Road Traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV)

If you want to use your driver's license commercially, you must comply with the regulations on professional driver qualification (BKrFQG).

• Overview of the driving license classes on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport

Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV)