Who Needs the Qualification
Anyone who drives a truck or bus for commercial purposes in Germany must obtain a professional driver qualification before starting work. This rule applies even if the driving is only part of company-internal transport.
The regulation covers all licenses in the following categories:
D1, D1E, D, or DE for passenger transport with more than eight seats, if issued after September 10, 2008.
C1, C1E, C, or CE for freight transport, if issued after September 10, 2009.
Drivers who received their license before these dates are exempt. That means bus drivers with licenses before September 2008, and truck drivers with licenses before September 2009, do not need to obtain the qualification.
What the Qualification Involves
The basic qualification has two parts. Drivers must pass a written test lasting 240 minutes, followed by a practical exam lasting 210 minutes. The practical part includes driving exercises designed to test real-world skills.
There is also a faster route called the accelerated qualification. This requires 140 hours of training at an approved school and ends with a 90-minute written test. In Germany, the exams are organized by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
Once the qualification is obtained, it is valid for five years. To keep it valid, drivers must complete at least 35 hours of refresher training before the expiry date.
Who Provides the Training
Training for both the accelerated qualification and the five-year refresher must be completed at officially recognized schools. In the region of Arnsberg, the District Government oversees approval and monitoring of these schools.
When drivers finish their training or refresher, their participation is documented in a Driver Qualification Card. This card must be requested through the local driver’s license authority but is issued by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
The Question Bank for Exams
The test questions used in the professional driver qualification exams are developed under the leadership of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). This question bank forms the basis of all official test papers.
The questions are divided into knowledge areas defined by the Professional Driver Qualification Regulation (BKrFQV). These include:
Efficient driving behavior based on safety rules
Correct application of regulations
Health, safety, service, and logistics
Each question carries a set number of points. Some details in questions, such as days of the week or numerical values, may be replaced with equivalent information. The question catalog is updated regularly to reflect changes in law. Importantly, the official database is published without answers.
Drivers and schools can download the latest version of the question bank directly from the DIHK website.
Legal Framework and Guidance
The rules are based on the German Professional Driver Qualification Act and the corresponding regulation. The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility also provides practical guidelines on how the law should be applied.
Chambers of Industry and Commerce across Germany have agreed on common guidelines to ensure consistent implementation.
Upcoming Exam Dates
For those preparing for the accelerated qualification, several exam dates have already been announced for late 2025. The scheduled dates are:
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Exact exam times will be provided in the official invitation. Registration closes 14 days before each exam date. Candidates can register online.
Why This Matters
The qualification rules are designed to raise professional standards in road transport and improve safety for both passengers and freight. By combining theory, practical training, and ongoing education, the system ensures drivers stay up to date with traffic laws, safety requirements, and efficient driving techniques.
For companies, this means hiring or training drivers without the qualification is not an option. For drivers, it is a career investment that needs to be renewed every five years.
With strict oversight from chambers, authorities, and training schools, Germany continues to align its transport sector with European standards.