Existing driving license extended by driving license category D, D1, DE or D1E

You can apply to extend your driving license to categories D, DE, D1, D1E (colloquially known as "bus categories"). This driving license is issued for a maximum of five years and can be extended by five years at the request of the license holder.

You can apply to extend your driving license to categories D, DE, D1, D1E.

Category D entitles you to drive motor vehicles designed and built to carry more than 8 people (excluding the driver) - including trailers with a maximum permissible mass of up to 750 kg. Class D1 is included.

Category D1 entitles you to drive motor vehicles in which a maximum of 16 persons (excluding the driver) can travel and whose length is a maximum of 8 m - also with trailers with a maximum permissible mass of up to 750 kg.

Category DE entitles you to drive combinations of a category D motor vehicle and a trailer with a maximum permissible mass of over 750 kg. Classes BE and D1E are included here.

Category D1E entitles you to drive combinations of a category D1 motor vehicle and a trailer with a maximum permissible mass of over 750 kg. Class BE is included.

The responsibility lies with the driving license authority.

• Designation of a driving school
• Official proof of place and date of birth (e.g. identity card, passport), registration certificate if applicable
• A current photograph that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance (biometric, size 45 mm x 35 mm, portrait format)
• Proof of eyesight in accordance with the model in Annex 6 No. 2 to the Driving License Ordinance (Section 12 (6) and Annex 6 No. 2.1 or No. 2.2). You can have the certificate issued by an ophthalmologist, a company or occupational physician or a doctor from the health authority. An issued certificate is valid for 2 years.
• Proof of physical and mental aptitude in accordance with the model in Annex 5 to the Driving License Ordinance (§11 Para. 9 and Annex 5 FeV). You can have the certificate issued by a doctor. The certificate must not be older than one year at the time of application.
• Current driving license
• Proof of participation in a first aid training course
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority (must not be older than 3 months at the time of application)

• 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
• For the D category, you must be at least 24 years old and have previously held a category B license. For exceptions to the minimum age, see § 10 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV).
• For category D1, you must be at least 21 years old and have previously held category B. The minimum age is 18 years for persons who are undergoing or have completed training as a "professional driver" or "skilled driver".
• For category DE, you must be at least 24 years old and have previously held category D. For exceptions to the minimum age, see § 10 of the Driving License Ordinance.
• For category D1E, you must be at least 21 years old and have previously held category D1. The minimum age is 18 years for persons who are undergoing or have completed training in the occupation of "professional driver" or "skilled driver".

• Objection
• Action before the administrative court

You must submit an application for an extension to the driving license authority responsible for you.

You can apply for a driving license for buses (D classes) at the earliest six months before reaching the required minimum age.

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

Depending on the workload of the relevant driving license authority.

The fee is based on the current version of the scale of fees for road traffic measures.

When extending a driver's license, the old original driver's license must be handed in when collecting the new card driver's license or the provisional proof of driving authorization.

If you wish to use your driver's license for commercial purposes, the regulations on professional driver qualification (BKrFQG) must be observed.