Germany is said to be one of the most difficult countries to obtain a drivers licence in. The UK is world renown for its complex procedures and legalities when it comes to the driving test- but Germany is a completely different ‘kettle of fish.’
Young drivers of 16 are allowed to apply for a provisional licence, as long as they have parental permission. If they are issued their licence they may take both the theory and practical exams with a driving school. They ARE NOT allowed to drive with anybody else. They are only permitted to take a practical exam from 17 years of age- and until they are 18 they need to have somebody present with them in the car, who must be named on their pass certificate. Once the practical exam has been passed, and they are over the age of 18, they can apply for their full drivers licence- which is valid for life. An accompanying driver has to be over the age of 30 and have no more than 3 penalty points on their licence.
Taking a driving test in Germany consists of many more elements then it does here in the UK. You must pass a first aid course and have an eye-sight test done at an opticians before you are able to sit a practical exam. The practical exam is allowed to be taken as many times as needed; however, in between each fail, the candidate must wait 2 weeks in order to re-sit. However- at attempts 3,6 and 9 the candidate has to wait 3 months before being allowed to re-sit their exam.
Once a candidate reaches 18 and has passed their practical exam they have three months to apply for their full licence. They are permitted to drive on their pass certificate from the age of 18, without an accompanying driver. It is also imperative that all licence holders carry their licence on them at all times.
For more information on driving in Europe, be sure to read our other articles here at The Learner POD.
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