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To drive buses or vehicle combinations consisting of a bus and a trailer, you need an extended driver's license for class D, DE, D1 or D1E. 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 D, DE, D1 and D1E, they are 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 buses. To apply for the extension, you must meet various requirements.

Driving license class D:

• Motor vehicles for the transportation of more than 8 persons in addition to the person driving the vehicle
• trailers with up to 750kg total weight
• required driving license: B
• Minimum age: 24 years, or 20 years if you drive buses for a living.

Driving license class DE:

• Motor vehicles for the transport of more than 8 persons in addition to the person driving the vehicle.
• trailers with more than 750kg total weight
• required driving license: D
• Minimum age: 24 years, or 20 years if you are a professional bus driver.

Driving license class D1:

• Motor vehicles for transporting a maximum of 16 persons in addition to the driving person
• maximum total length: 8m
• trailers with a total weight of up to 750kg
• required driving license: B
• minimum age: 21 years, or 18 years if you drive buses professionally

Driving license class D1E:

• Motor vehicles for transporting a maximum of 16 persons in addition to the person driving the vehicle
• maximum total length: 8m
• trailers with more than 750kg total weight
• required driving license: D1
• minimum age: 21 years or 18 years if you drive buses professionally

• 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.
• 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 class applied for.

• valid identity card or passport with current registration certificate
• current 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
• details of the driving school
• proof of participation in a first aid course
• police clearance certificate (not older than 3 months)
• performance psychology certificate (not older than 1 year)

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

• § Section 21 Ordinance on the Admission of Persons to Road Traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV)
• § Section 23 Ordinance on the Admission of Persons to Road Traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV)
• § Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG)

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)