Extend existing driving licence to include category C, C1, CE, C1E

You can apply for the extension of your existing driving licence to categories C, CE, C1, C1E. Category C, CE, C1 or C1E licences shall be issued for a maximum period of five years and may be renewed for a period of five years at the request of the licence holder.

You can apply for the extension of your driving licence to categories C, CE, C1, C1E.

Category C entitles you to drive motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tonnes with a maximum of 8 seats (except the driver's seat). In addition, you can use the driver's license to tow a trailer up to 750 kg permissible total mass. You must have a class B driving licence. The minimum age is 21 years. It is 18 years for persons during or after vocational training as a professional driver, specialist in driving operations or a comparable state-recognised training occupation.

The category C1 driving licence entitles you to drive lighter commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes to a maximum of 7.5 tonnes. The vehicle may not have more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat. In addition, a trailer with a maximum permissible mass of 750 kg may be towed. The prerequisite for a driving licence in category C1 is possession of a category B driving licence and a minimum age of 18 years.

The category CE driving licence entitles you to drive combinations of Class C vehicles and trailers over 750 kg maximum permissible mass. You must be at least 21 years old. In addition, you need a category C driving licence for this class.

The category C1E driving licence entitles you to drive combinations of a category C1 vehicle and a trailer of more than 750 kg maximum permissible mass. The maximum permissible weight of this combination shall not exceed 12 tonnes and the maximum permissible weight of the trailer shall not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. For this class, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a category C1 driving licence.

Responsibility lies with the driving licence authority.

• Designation of a driving school
• Official proof of place and day of birth (e.g. identity card, passport), registration certificate if applicable
• a current photograph that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance (biometrics-compatible, size 45 mm x 35 mm, portrait format). More detailed information can be found on the photo sample board of the Bundesdruckerei.
• Proof of vision according to the model of Annex 6 No. 2 to the Driving Licence Ordinance. You can have the certificate issued by an ophthalmologist, by a company or occupational physician or by a doctor of the health authority. An issued expert opinion/certificate is valid for 2 years.
• Proof of physical and mental fitness according to the model of Annex 5 to the Driving Licence Ordinance. You can have the certificate drawn up by a doctor. At the time of application, the certificate must not be older than one year.
• previous driver's license
• Proof of participation in a training course in first aid

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance required: Yes
• Online services available: No

• Main residence in the Federal Republic of Germany
• Class C: at least 21 years (in certain cases 18 years) and previous possession class B
• Category CE: at least 21 years old (in certain cases 18 years) and previous possession of a category C driving licence
• Class C1: at least 18 years and previous possession of driving licence class B
• Category C1E: at least 18 years old and previous possession of driving licence category C1
• Existence of suitability and passing of the driving licence test

• Contradiction
• Action before the Administrative Court

You must submit an application to the competent driving licence authority.

Application for an extension of a driving licence / driving licence can be submitted at the earliest 6 months before reaching the minimum age

The driving licence is issued for a maximum of 5 years.

Depending on the workload of the respective competent driving licence authority.

The fee is based on the scale of charges for road transport measures in the respective version.

If a driving licence is extended, the old original driving licence must be handed in when the new card driving licence or provisional proof of driving authorisation is collected.

If you wish to use your driving licence commercially, the regulations on professional driver qualification (BKrFQG) must be observed.