Germany Bus Driving Licence

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Germany Bus Driving Licence


In Germany, a bus driving licence is called a class D licence and allows you to drive different types of buses. These types of driving licences are:

D1: Buses with 8 to 15 passenger seats.
D: Buses with 16 or more passenger seats.
DE: Authorises you to drive both class D1 and class D buses.

In short: The class D driving licence allows you to work as a bus driver in Germany and to transport passengers of different sizes.

Types and Classification of Bus Driving Licences in Germany

In Germany, there are different types of Class D driving licences for driving different types of buses:

Class D1 Bus Driving Licence:

Authorises you to drive buses with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 passenger seats.
In order to obtain this driving licence, you must be at least 21 years old and have a class B driving licence for at least 2 years.
D1 driving licence is generally preferred by people who want to drive minibuses and small buses.

Class D Bus Driving Licence:

Authorises the use of buses with 16 or more passenger seats.
It has a wider usage area compared to the D1 driving licence.
In order to obtain a class D driving licence, it is necessary to be at least 21 years old, to have a class B driving licence for at least 2 years and to have used the D1 driving licence for at least 1 year.
D driving licence is generally preferred by city and intercity bus drivers.

DE Class Bus Driving Licence:

Authorises the use of both D1 and D class buses.
It is the most comprehensive type of bus driving licence.
In order to obtain a class DE driving licence, you must be at least 21 years old, have a class B driving licence for at least 2 years and have used the D1 driving licence for at least 2 years.
DE driving licence is generally preferred by tour bus drivers and passenger transport companies.

Driving Licence Class Selection:

When choosing your driving licence class, it is important to consider the passenger capacity of the bus you intend to use.

Important Notes:

In order to obtain a class D bus driving licence, you must also pass medical and psychotechnical qualification tests and complete first aid training.
For more information about applying for a driving licence and the exams, please contact your local authority (Straßenverkehrsamt).

Additional Information:

In Germany, the bus driving licence must be renewed every 5 years.
Holders of a class D bus driving licence also have all the entitlements of a class B driving licence.
If your bus driving licence is revoked or temporarily withdrawn, you may have to take the exams again.

 

Requirements for obtaining a bus driving licence in Germany

In Germany, a bus driving licence is called a class D licence and allows you to drive different types of buses. In order to obtain this driving licence, you must fulfil the following requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 21 years old.

Driving licence:

You must have a class B driving licence for at least 2 years.

Medical Qualification:

You must pass a medical fitness test. This test is conducted by a doctor and assesses whether your general health condition is suitable for driving a bus.

Psychotechnical Qualification:

You must pass a psychotechnical competence test. This test is conducted by a psychologist and assesses whether you are mentally and psychologically fit to drive a bus.

First Aid Training:

You must complete first aid training. This training teaches you how to respond to injuries in emergency situations.

Bus Driving Licence Course:

You must register for a bus driving licence course and successfully pass the theoretical and practical exams.

Theoretical Exam:

It is an exam consisting of topics such as traffic rules, road signs and bus driving techniques.

Practical Exam:

It is an exam that evaluates your parking, manoeuvring and driving skills in different traffic conditions.

Other Documents:

Identity card or passport
Visa (if required)
Proof of residence
Biometric photographs

Driving Licence Fees:

The fees you need to pay to obtain a class D bus driving licence vary depending on the course and your location. On average, you can expect to pay between €1,500 and €3,000.

Driving Licence Validity Period:

The class D bus driving licence must be renewed every 5 years. For the renewal process, you must undergo a health check and submit the necessary documents.

Cautionary Notes:

This information is for general information purposes. It is always advisable to consult official sources and competent authorities for the most up-to-date information and legal regulations.
If your bus driving licence is revoked or temporarily withdrawn, you may have to retake the exams.
There are driving licence recognition procedures for people from outside Germany.

Class D Bus Driving Licence Application Process in Germany and Required Documents

In Germany, a bus driving licence (class D) allows you to drive different types of buses. To obtain this driving licence, you need to follow the steps below and prepare the necessary documents:

Step 1: Check the Requirements

To be at least 21 years old.
To have at least 2 years of class B driving licence.
Pass medical and psychotechnical qualification tests.
Complete first aid training.

Step 2: Register for a Bus Driving Licence Course

Enrol in an authorised bus driving licence course and take part in theoretical and practical training. The course fee and duration may vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents

Identity card or passport
Visa (if required)
Proof of residence
Class B driving licence
Certificate of medical competence
Psychotechnical qualification certificate
First aid training certificate
Registration certificate for the bus driving licence course
Biometric photographs

Step 4: Apply for a Driving Licence

Apply for a driving licence at the competent authority (Straßenverkehrsamt) in your place of residence by filling in the application form and submitting the required documents.

Step 5: Take the exams

After your application has been approved, you must take the theoretical and practical exams. If you pass both exams successfully, you will be entitled to receive your driving licence.

Things to Consider:

This information is for general information purposes. It is always advisable to consult official sources and competent authorities for the most up-to-date information and legal regulations.
Application and examination fees may vary depending on the course and your location.
If your bus driving licence is cancelled or temporarily withdrawn, you may have to take the exams again.
There are driving licence recognition procedures for people from outside Germany.

 

Class D Bus Driving Licence Theoretical Examination and Practical Driving Test in Germany

Theoretical Exam

Class D bus driving licence theoretical exam is an exam consisting of topics such as traffic rules, road signs, bus driving techniques and legal regulations. The exam is conducted with a computerised test system and consists of 80 questions. For each question, 3 options are offered and 2 points are given for the correct answer and 0 points for the wrong answer. You must score at least 64 points to pass the exam.

Topics Asked in the Exam:

General traffic rules and road signs
Bus driving techniques and mechanics
Legal regulations on passenger transport
Dangerous goods and passenger transport
First aid and emergency interventions
Driving in dangerous situations

Practical Driving Test:

The practical driving test is a test in which your skills in driving a bus in different traffic conditions are assessed, accompanied by a driving test官. The test lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes the following elements:

Parking (parallel parking, reverse parking)
Manoeuvring (sharp turns, reversing)
Driving in different traffic conditions (city, highway, motorway)
Dealing with special situations (breakdowns, road accidents)

Criteria evaluated in the exam:

Obeying traffic rules
Safe and predictable driving
Vehicle control
Be alert to dangerous situations
Respect for other road users

To Pass the Test:

To pass the practical driving test, you must obey all traffic rules, drive in a safe and predictable manner, and follow the instructions given by the test官. Minor mistakes are allowed in the test, but major mistakes or repeated mistakes may result in failure of the test.

Preparation for the exams:

To best prepare for the theoretical and practical driving exams, you can do the following:

Enrol in an authorised bus driving licence course and attend theoretical and practical training.
Familiarise yourself with traffic rules and legal regulations.
Study bus driving techniques and mechanics.
Take practical driving lessons and drive in different traffic conditions.
Solve practice tests for the theoretical exam.

 

Bus Driving Licence Training Programmes in Germany

To obtain a bus driving licence in Germany, you need to enrol in an authorised bus driving licence course and attend theoretical and practical training. The training programmes vary depending on the course and type of driving licence, but generally include the following topics:

Theoretical Training:

General traffic rules and road signs
Bus driving techniques and mechanics
Legal regulations on passenger transport
Dangerous goods and passenger transport
First aid and emergency interventions
Driving in dangerous situations

Practical Training:

Parking (parallel parking, reverse parking)
Manoeuvring (sharp turns, reversing)
Driving in different traffic conditions (city, highway, motorway)
Dealing with special situations (breakdowns, road accidents)

Duration of Training:

The duration of training varies according to the course and type of driving licence. The average training time for a D1 class bus driving licence is 30 lesson hours and 60 lesson hours for a D class bus driving licence. For the DE class bus driving licence, the training period is longer as you need to take both D1 and D class trainings.

Training Fee:

The training fee also varies according to the course and type of driving licence. On average, it is between €1,500 – €2,000 for a class D1 bus driving licence and between €2,000 – €3,000 for a class D bus driving licence. Fees for a class DE bus licence start at €3,000.

Exams

After completing the training, you have to take the theoretical and practical exams. If you pass both exams successfully, you are entitled to receive your driving licence.

Courses Offering Bus Driving Licence Training Programmes:

There are many courses offering bus driving licence training programmes in Germany. Some of the factors you should pay attention to when choosing a course are as follows:

The course must be approved by an authorised body
Experienced and qualified trainers
Having modern vehicles
Affordable price
The course is in a convenient location for you

Average Costs Required to Obtain a Class D Bus Driving Licence in Germany

The costs you need to pay to obtain a class D bus driving licence in Germany can vary depending on the location of the course, the course, the type of driving licence and other factors.

However, to give you a general idea, we can list the average costs as follows:

Course Fee:

Class D1 bus driving licence: 1.500€ – 2.000€
Class D bus driving licence: 2.000€ – 3.000€
Class DE bus driving licence: €3,000 and over

Examination Fees:

Theoretical exam: 50€ – 100€
Practical exam: 150€ – 200€

Other Costs:

Certificate of medical qualification: 50€ – 100€
Psychotechnical qualification certificate: 60€ – 120€
First aid training: 100€ – 150€
Biometric photos: 15€ – 20€
Visa (if required): 80€ – 100€
Driving licence fee 35€

Total Cost:

Taking the above costs into consideration, we can say that the average cost of obtaining a class D bus driving licence is between €3,000 – €5,000. For a class DE bus licence, this cost can start from €5,000.

Things to Consider:

This information is for general information purposes and it is always advisable to consult official sources and authorities for the most up-to-date information.
As fees for courses and exams are always subject to change, it is important to contact the course before enrolling and find out the current prices.
Some courses may offer discounted packages or special programmes. Therefore, it is worth researching different courses and choosing the one that suits you best.

 

Validity Period and Renewal Procedures for a Class D Bus Driving Licence in Germany

In Germany, the class D bus driving licence must be renewed every 5 years. For the renewal process, you need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

Identity card or passport
Visa (if required)
Proof of residence
Class D driving licence
Health check report (must be renewed every 5 years)
Eye examination report (must be renewed every 2 years)
Biometric photographs

Step 2: Contact the Authorised Body

Apply for a driving licence renewal at the competent authority (Straßenverkehrsamt) in your place of residence by filling in the application form and submitting the required documents.

Step 3: Pay the renewal fee

The cost of renewing your driving licence may vary depending on your location. On average, it is between 30€ – 50€.

Step 4: Get your new driving licence

Once your application has been approved, you can get your new class D bus driving licence.

Things to Consider:

You must renew your driving licence before the expiry date. Otherwise, penal action may be taken.
Health check report and eye examination report must be taken by an authorised doctor.
Biometric photographs must be in the standard sizes used in driving licences.

Before Renewing Your Driving Licence:

Check for any changes in your health condition.
Have the eye examination done.
Prepare the necessary documents.

 

Documents Required for Class D Bus Driving Licence Holders in Germany

In Germany, drivers who hold a Class D bus driving licence must carry the following documents:

1. Class D driving licence:

Your driving licence must be valid and in good condition.
Your licence must contain information such as your photo, name, surname, date of birth, address and class of licence.

2. Identity Document:

You must have a valid identity document such as an identity card or passport.

3. Vehicle Licence:

You must have the licence of the bus you are using with you.

4. Insurance Certificate:

The bus must have a valid traffic insurance and you must have the insurance certificate with you.

5. Medical Qualification Certificate:

You must have a medical certificate showing that your health condition is suitable for driving a bus. This document must be renewed every 5 years.

6. Eye Examination Report:

You must have an eye examination report showing that your eyesight is suitable for driving a bus. This report must be renewed every 2 years.

7. Other Documents:

In some cases, you may also need to carry special permits or additional documents.

Things to Consider:

Drivers are required to carry all necessary documents with them and present them when requested during traffic controls.
Documents must be valid and up-to-date.
If documents are lost or stolen, they must be reported immediately to the competent authorities.

Additional Information:

For more information on the Class D bus driving licence in Germany, please visit https://www.bast.de/ .
For information on traffic rules and regulations, please visit https://bmdv.bund.de/ .

Class D Bus Driving Licence Cancellation and Appeal Procedures in Germany

In Germany, a class D bus driving licence can be revoked in certain circumstances. Reasons for cancellation can be

Violation of traffic rules
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Dangerous driving
Causing accidents
Health condition not suitable for driving a bus
Cancellation of a certificate of medical competence or an eye examination report

If your driving licence is revoked, you will receive a decision. This will state the reasons for the cancellation and the time for appeal.

Your Right to Appeal:

You have the right to appeal against the revocation of your driving licence. You must lodge your objection within one month after you have been notified of the decision. You must submit your objection in writing to the competent authority (Straßenverkehrsamt).

In the appeal letter:

You must clearly and concisely state the grounds for your objection.
You can present evidence to refute the facts that led to the cancellation decision.
You can attach supporting documents such as witness statements or other documents.

Appeal Process:

The competent authority will review your appeal and make a decision. You will be notified of the decision in writing. If your appeal is accepted, your driving licence will be restored.

In Case of Rejection:

If your objection is rejected, you can file a lawsuit to the administrative court. The period for filing a lawsuit is one month. It is advisable to consult a lawyer before filing a lawsuit.

Getting your driving licence back:

After your driving licence has been cancelled, you can apply for a reinstatement after a certain period of time. The time for reinstatement varies depending on the reason for the cancellation and the court decision.

In order to be able to use your class D bus driving licence in Germany, you need to have it translated into German and have its equivalence approved. For this process, you need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Documents

Turkish Class D Bus Driving Licence: Original and photocopy of your driving licence
Identity Document: Identity card or passport
Biometric Photographs 2 pieces
Driving Licence Translation Form: Translation form that you can get from the authorised institution or download from the internet
Driving Licence Translation Prepared by a Sworn Translator: Driving licence translation into German certified by a sworn translator
Health Report: A medical certificate in German or English issued by a doctor stating that you are fit to drive a bus
Eye Examination Report: An eye examination report in German or English, issued by an ophthalmologist and stating that your eyesight is suitable for driving a bus
Fee Payment Receipt: Receipt showing that you have paid the required fee for translation and recognition procedures

Step 2: Contact the Authorised Body

Apply for the translation and recognition of your driving licence at the competent authority (Straßenverkehrsamt) in your place of residence by filling in the application form and submitting the required documents.

Step 3: Evaluation of your application

The competent authority will examine your application and documents. If your documents are complete and correct, the translation and equivalence of your driving licence will be approved.

Step 4: Get your new driving licence

Once your application has been approved, you can get your new German driving licence.

Things to Consider:

The fees for the translation and equivalence of your driving licence may vary depending on your location.
The application process may take several weeks.
In some cases, additional documents may be required.
For more information, you can consult the competent authority or a lawyer.
You cannot drive with your Turkish driving licence until the translation and equivalence of your driving licence is approved.

 

For those who want to get a Bus Driving Licence in Germany, you can get your driving licence at our driving school in Neuss with Turkish teachers. Euro drive tean Neuss Fahrschule

 

You can also read our Germany Truck Driving Licence article.