In German driving schools, the part of the practical exam that in our country is called the driving range or training ground is absent, so after the first acquaintance with the car, lessons start in the city. The student must take several driving lessons in different weather conditions and at night. If you already have a license and are retraining in Germany, this requirement is not mandatory. In addition to such training, driving on the autobahn, country roads, and at various speeds is mandatory. As for the medical examination, you don't have to take it; only a vision test is required.
If you are traveling to EU countries as a tourist, you can rent a car using your domestic license. If you are moving to Germany or planning to stay for an extended period, be prepared to exchange your license. A license issued in another country is valid in Germany for only the first six months, after which it becomes invalid. It can be extended for another six months only if the driver can prove they will not stay in Germany longer than 12 months.
Where to start if you already have a license? The first step is to choose a driving school and register with it. After signing a contract with the school, you need to contact the road transport authority, where they will explain the next steps. After receiving an official confirmation that your documents have been accepted, you can go to the driving school for lessons. Additionally, you will need to take a first aid course.
For those who already have a driver's license, attending lectures is not mandatory, but you still have to pass the theoretical part. No one forbids you from attending classes; they are structured cyclically and allow free attendance. The driving school will provide a CD and access to the online version of the study program for self-study (cost between 20 and 50 euros). The system has about a thousand questions. You can practice on a smartphone or computer. You can schedule the first part of the exam at a convenient time. Incidentally, the test can be taken in Russian. After successfully passing, you should arrange with the instructor to begin practical lessons.
In the theoretical exam, you need to answer 30 questions; each incorrect answer earns penalty points. The test ends at 10 penalty points. The main difficulty is that some questions require selecting multiple answers. Be prepared for a block of questions about cyclists on the road, which closely mirrors traffic in Germany. An interesting feature is that some exam questions are related to ecology. Additionally, you need to know a couple of formulas – for example, how to calculate braking distance. The theoretical exam will cost approximately 40 euros.
Theory passed, time to get behind the wheel. Even if you have extensive driving experience, you will need a few practical lessons to master high-speed driving on the autobahn, learn local peculiarities, and feel confident during the actual exam.
Since driving schools in Germany are not very large, the director or owner of the establishment will likely be your instructor. Be prepared for a lesson to cost at least 70 euros. The minimum number of driving hours is not set. As soon as the instructor determines that you are managing, they will send you for the practical exam.
To take the practical exam, the instructor's conditional consent is required, since the driving school submits the application to the German Technical Inspection Association TÜV. Instructors value their reputation and will not send an unprepared student to the exam. The cost is 80 euros, plus the instructor's supervision, which amounts to 130 euros.
You will be assigned an exam time. At the start of the exam, an examiner from TÜV will get into the car with the instructor. The car is equipped with equipment that emits a signal if the instructor touches the pedals. As a rule, the atmosphere is relaxed: people in the car talk to each other and occasionally give instructions. Nonetheless, everything is controlled down to the smallest detail.
The exam usually lasts about 40 minutes. During this time, you must demonstrate excellent driving in the city, on the autobahn, and in residential areas, as well as park skillfully. The driver's license will be prepared in advance, so you can pick it up on the same day as the exam. For a retake, you will have to pay the same amount and negotiate with the instructor again.
Theoretically, training and obtaining a driver's license for someone holding a license from, for example, Ukraine, can cost 750 euros. But as practice shows, you should expect an amount above 1000 euros. In special cases, students pay up to two thousand euros. Your domestic driver's license is taken away. If you want to keep it, you will need to provide a valid reason and pay an additional 100 euros.