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Driver card; application

Are you a driver of a truck or bus and need a driver card for the first time? Then you must apply for one at the office responsible for you.

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Procedure details

The driver card is used to record driving times and rest periods for the commercial transportation of goods and passengers. As a driver, you need a driver card for the following motor vehicles (motor vehicles):

  • Motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tons including trailers
  • Motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of 2.8 to 3.5 tons including trailers, provided a digital tachograph is installed
  • Motor vehicles designed to carry more than 9 persons including the driver

There are certain exceptions for farmers or for universal services.

If you do not yet have a valid driver card, you can apply for one from your local authority.

The driver card is valid for 5 years from the date of personalization by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). You must apply to renew your card at least 15 working days before it expires.

Do you want to renew a driver card that has already expired? Then you must place an initial order again.

The driver card issued to you personally may only be used by you. It always remains your property, even if your employer has paid for the driver card. In principle, they are not obliged to bear the costs.

In the event of damage, malfunction, loss or theft of the driver card, you must apply for a replacement card from the office responsible for you within 7 calendar days at the latest. You must immediately report the theft or loss of the driver card to the authority or body that issued the driver card.

  • You are resident in the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • You have a valid driver's license with one of the following categories: B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE.
  • Your valid driver's license must correspond to one of the above categories if it was issued in an EEA member state.

  • Required Documents
    • Application for driver card
    • Proof of identity
    • valid domestic driver's license or driver's license of a state of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), respectively
      • entitles the holder to drive vehicles for which regulations on driving and rest periods must be observed
    • Proof of residence in Germany and address
    • proof of birth and surname, first name, day and place of birth
    • Photograph against a light background in the size 35 mm x 45 mm, showing the applicant without headgear in a frontal shot (biometric passport photograph)

Bavaria-wide supplement

46,20 € - 52,20 €

There are no indications or special features.

Status: 04.06.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Verkehr + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
Source: Federal Portal
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