Bus and coach transport; registration for the examination to acquire the professional qualification to run a company

To open a company that transports passengers by road, you must prove your professional suitability.

If you want to open a bus, cab or rental car company, you need a permit from the relevant authority. One requirement is your professional aptitude, which you usually prove by passing an examination. In Germany, you take the exam at your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

Depending on the type of your company, you will take the exam either for cab and hire car transport or for bus transport.

In the examination, you must provide evidence of the legal knowledge, commercial principles, knowledge of technical standards and regulations and road safety required to operate your company. You will also find a more detailed list in the orientation framework, which is linked in the further information.

You should prepare intensively for the exam, for example by attending a preparation course or studying intensively on your own. However, there are no legal requirements for registering for the exam.

The examination consists of two written parts and, if applicable, an oral part. The examination result is determined by an examination board.

The examination is an overall examination consisting of two written parts and one oral part. At least 50 percent of the respective score must be achieved in both written parts in order to be admitted to the oral examination. The examination is passed if at least 50 percent of the points have also been achieved in the oral examination and at least 60 percent of the total number of points. Those who have achieved at least 50 percent of the achievable score in both written parts and at least 60 percent of the total score are exempt from the oral examination.

In certain cases, transitional regulations may allow you to be certified as suitable without taking the examination. If you have completed training in the field of passenger transport that began before December 4, 2011, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce will issue you with a certificate upon request, even without taking the examination.

If you had already been working in a managerial position in a bus company for ten years before 2009, you can also be issued a certificate of aptitude on application without taking the examination. See also the information sheet in the further information section.

You can also prove your professional aptitude for taxi/rental car transport without taking an examination if you can provide evidence of at least three years' work in a corresponding company.

• The following documents are required:
  • If evidence by examination: none
  • If evidence by degree: Proof of having passed the final examination
  • In case of proof by professional experience: proof of your professional activities

• For examination registration: none
• For proof through training: Completion of an apprenticeship started before 4.12.2011 as:
  • Rail and road transport clerk, specializing in passenger transport
  • Transportation specialist
  • Business economist (DAV) from the German Foreign Trade and Transport Academy in Bremen
  • Diplom-Betriebswirt/Diplom-Betriebswirtin (Diploma in Business Administration) in the Faculty of Economics I Transport Economics and Logistics course at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
  • Diplom-Verkehrsfachwirt/Diplom-Verkehrsfachwirtin at the Technical University of Dresden
  • Bachelor of Arts in Transport Business Administration and Logistics, specializing in Transport Logistics at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
• For proof through professional experience:
  • For bus transportation: at least 10 years of management experience in a bus company
  • For cab transport: at least three years of management experience in a cab and rental car company

To obtain proof of aptitude by examination, you must first register for the examination in writing or online at your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce. You must choose whether you want to take the examination for road haulage or for taxi/car rental.

• The IHK will confirm your registration for the exam.
• You will first successfully take the two written examinations.
• After passing the written exam, you will take the oral exam.
• Approximately 14 days after passing the exam, you will receive your certificate of professional qualification.

With the certificate, you can now apply for a permit to open your business with the relevant authorities.

To provide proof of professional suitability without taking the examinations, send your written application including all supporting documents to the IHK. After processing, you will receive your certificate by post.

As a rule, you will receive notification of whether you have passed or failed the examination approximately two weeks after taking it.

The examination fee is based on the applicable fee schedule of the relevant IHK