FAQ
FAQ about the driving licence at 17
What are the requirements for accompanied driving?
In order to enjoy "accompanied driving", you must be at least 17 years old and have passed the theoretical and practical test. You will not yet receive a driving licence, but you will receive a so-called "test certificate", which you must show together with your identity card in the event of a traffic control. If you do not carry the documents with you, you will be fined 10 euros. The accompanying persons are also listed on the inspection certificate. One of these persons must accompany you on the passenger seat every time you drive. Important: You are not yet allowed to drive alone!
- at least 17 years old
- passed examinations (theory & practice)
- examination certificate as "driving licence"
- driving only with accompanying person
Who can I drive with when I get my 17-year-old driver's license?
If you have taken your driving licence at the age of 17, you must always have an experienced accompanying person at your side, who is noted in the test certificate. You are therefore not allowed to drive with any adult who meets the requirements. The accompanying person must not be younger than 30 years and must have held a class B driving licence for more than five years (without a break). More than one point in Flensburg is considered an exclusion criterion. The number of accompanying persons you are allowed to name is not limited. As a rule, your parents or grandparents are eligible to accompany you. Alcohol is also taboo for those accompanying you in the passenger seat. A limit of 0.5 per mille applies here. No special training is required for the accompanying persons. By the way: driving without an escort is not a trivial offence, but a criminal offence which, in the worst case, can result in a prison sentence of up to one year. Fines, points in Flensburg and a revocation of the driving licence are also possible.
- accompanying persons at least 30 years old
- driving licence in possession for five years (without a break)
- no points in Flensburg
- entry in the test certificate necessary
- no alcohol: 0.5 per mille as limit
When can I start driving at 17?
As soon as you are 16.5 years old, you can register with DriveX - your driving school, to start your driving licence at 17. Our driving instructors will accompany you from this time on, so that you can soon start with the exams. Here, too, some deadlines apply: the theory test may be taken no earlier than three months before your 17th birthday. For the practical test, you even have to wait until one month before your 17th birthday. If you have already passed the tests before your birthday, you will only receive your test certificate on the day of your birthday.
- registration at the driving school from 16.5 years
- theory test: at the earliest three months before your 17th birthday
- practical test: at the earliest one month before your 17th birthday
- accompanied driving only from your 17th birthday
Can I drive abroad with my driving licence at 17?
The driving licence at 17 is valid throughout Germany, but not abroad.
There is, however, one exception: in Austria there is a comparable regulation, the so-called "early driving authorisation (L 17)", so that the test certificate is also recognised there. In other countries, such as Italy, France or Spain, however, you are only allowed to take the wheel from the age of 18.
- only valid in Germany and Austria
- no permit in neighbouring European countries
What about the probationary period for a driver's license at 17?
The duration of the probationary period is not shortened by the driving licence at 17, so that you have to complete a "probationary period" of two years like all other new drivers according to § 2a StVG. However, the probationary period begins when you receive your test certificate, so that the period ends on your 19th birthday at the earliest. The only exception to this rule is if you have already obtained a class A1 driving licence. In this case, the probationary period begins as soon as the A1 driving licence is issued. However, drivers aged 17 often benefit from the fact that they always have to be on the road under the radar of their escorts. This means that there are fewer administrative offences and criminal offences on the road.
- two-year probationary period prescribed (§ 2a StVG)
- starts when the test certificate is issued
- Exception: class A1 driving licence previously acquired
How much does it cost to get a driver's license at 17?
The costs for the driving licence at 17 are basically comparable with the costs for a classic class B driving licence. However, you will incur additional costs of a small amount if you register your accompanying persons. For the first accompanying person you have to pay about 18 Euro, for each further accompanying person you have to pay about 10 Euro. Although there is no limit to the number of accompanying persons, you should therefore think carefully about which accompanying person you really want to register.
- same costs as for the "normal" driving licence
- low additional costs for each accompanying person (10 to 18 euros)
- car insurance companies honour BF17 through lower premiums
What can I drive with a 17-year-old driver's license?
The 17-year-old car driving licence is a fully-fledged class B driving licence. You are therefore allowed to drive all vehicles and combinations of cars and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight. The class B driving licence also includes the classes AM and L, which may even be driven unaccompanied, as you have already reached the minimum age of 16.
- full driving licence
- all cars and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes
- class AM and L unaccompanied
Do I have to pay attention to the insurance when I get my driver's license at 17?
Before you drive with a companion for the first time, your parents should inform your car insurance company. For many tariffs, no increase is due, but an adjustment of the insurance premium is possible. On the other hand, your parents can save money as soon as you reach the age of 18. Depending on the insurance company, discounts are possible. This also applies if you get your own car at the age of 18, which you insure yourself.
- Insurance company must be informed
- Adjustment of premiums possible
- Savings potential after the 18th birthday
How long is the BF17 test certificate valid after the 18th birthday?
After your 18th birthday, you are still allowed to ride with your BF17 test certificate for a maximum of 3 months. After that, it loses its validity.
What are the advantages of getting a driver's license at 17?
Since 1 October 2005, "accompanied driving from 17" has been permitted in Germany. Why is that? Inexperience and an overconfident driving style are the cause of numerous accidents, as the statistics also show. Drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are involved in around 20 percent of all traffic accidents with fatalities. For this reason, novice drivers should take advantage of the car license at 17 to gain valuable experience and thus reduce the risk of accidents. The past has shown that this plan works, so that "accompanied driving" has been part of the permanent law since 1 January 2011.
- reduced risk of road accidents
- ideal way to gain experience
