German Driving License/Deutscher Führerschein

Getting a German Driving License (Deutscher Führerschein) Germans take driving very seriously and is difficult, very costly for the same reason. Let’s say that we apply for a Car driving license, it is Class B/B1. The different license types can be seen from the following link: http://www.tuev-sued.de/fuehrersche.... There are two possibilities

1.  Fresh driving license and 
2.  Converting the Indian driving license

1. Fresh driving license: It needs a bit of work and money, one needs mandatory theoretical lessons from a driving school, 12 special practical lessons (4 motorway, 3 night time, 5 country roads), and then the regular driving lessons (number of lessons depending on your learning capability). Driving school people will guide you guys through the procedure and fee and it varies a little based on the prices of the driving school guys.Here are the approximate costs:
• Driving school Registration & Theory classes: €200- 250
• Theory Lessions: One should attend 14 hours of theory offered by the driving shcool
• Theory Test: €60-80 (depending on the driving school) Its possible to take the exam in English
• First aid course: ~ €40 and 1 day course(Can be done from the Red cross, ADAC etc).
• Eye test report: Ask the Eye specialist, they will issue a letter especially for license or from an Optician or from Red cross (verify it once again with red cross during first aid course).
• Biometric Photos (This can also be taken from Redcross during the first aid course or any Photo vending machines)
• Registration: In this case Driving school guy will apply for the registration and you just pay them.
• Learning material
•  Questionnaire : €35 – 60 (one can also manage the theory test with this online examination questions)
• Theory book : €30 – 90 (extra booklet with the driving theory, one can manage without it)
• 12 mandatory Special lessons (4 motorway, 3 night time, 5 country roads)(€38 -42 / hour) : - €456 – 502
• Regular driving lessons (€28 -32 / hour): depends on how fast you learn(normally 10 -20 hours it could go till 40 hours for beginners): €280 - 640
• Practical Driving Test: €210-260 (which includes driving school commission and TÜV exam fee)
• After successfully finishing the theory and practical take the letters from TÜV and go to the Ordnungsamt again and finally they will issue the German Driving License.
• The total costs for learning and getting a license could be in between €1,400 to €2,000.
2.   Converting the Indian driving license: If your Indian driving license was issued before coming to Germany for the first time, you can convert it to a German one by saving money and some hours of learning. In this particular case, it is not necessary to take the theory lessons from the driving school and can be done by self preparation. Ordnungsamt or Führerscheinstelle or Rathaus (in some cases) is responsible for the conversion process.
 

Requirement & Procedure

• First aid course: ~ €40 and 1 day course (can be done from the Red cross, ADAC etc).
• Eye test report: Ask the Eye specialist, they will issue a letter especially for license or from an Optician or from Red cross (verify it once again with red cross during first aid course).
• Biometric Photos (this can also be taken from Redcross during the first aid course or any Photo vending machines)
• German translation of your Indian driving license along with its original (can be done at ADAC).
• Proof for date of arrival in Germany (One can get this from Visa office or Rathaus. Verify it from the Ordnungsamt). This procedure varies from place to place, better contact them directly.
• Name of the driving school.

With all these documents along with Wohnungsanmeldung & Passport go to Ordnungsamt or Führerscheinstelle and pay around € 45. After verification, in 2 to 4 weeks you will get the permission to attend the theory test.

• Prepare for theory test, here is where you can save if you decide to do it by yourself.
• Theory classes Learning material
  • You can do the theory test by yourself from the books and/or online portals which cost €30-50. Driving school guys will also provide TÜV certified online portals containing questionnaires or there are a lot of possibilities available online here is one of such portals: https://www.my-fuehrerschein.de/index.aspx
  • This website allows money back guarantee if you fail the test http://www.fuehrerschein-bestehen.de/...

• License Books : €30 – 90 (extra booklet with the driving theory). In my opinion it is not necessary.
• Theory Test: €20.83, if you pay some 70 € to the driving school, they will take you to the test center. The test can be taken in English language. In case if you want to take it by yourself, in the below link you can check for the TÜV examination center to take theory test: http://www.tuv.com/de/deutschland/a...

• After sucessfully clearing the test, you need the help of driving school to finish the driving lessons.
• Driving school Registration: €80- 150 (50% of actual registration price as you have already done the theory test by yourself)
• Price list for different classes : For Car its class B http://www.tuev-sued.de/fuehrerschein_pruefung/die_fuehrerscheinpruefung/preise
• 12 mandatory Special lessons (€38 -42 / hour) rule is exempted, but it is highly recommended to have 2 or 3 hours to get familiar with the driving. You might end up on the same streets for the driving test
• Regular driving lessons (€28 -32 / class): depends on how fast you learn(normally 10 -20 hours or even less hours if you know driving very well): €280 - 640
• Practical Driving Test: €210-250 (which includes driving school commission €120 -165 and TUV exam fee € 85)
• After successfully finishing the theory and practical take the letters from TUV and go to the Ordnungsamt/Führerscheinstelle/Rathaus and submit them your Indian Driving License and collect the German Driving License.
• The costs for learning and getting a license could be around €1,000 to €1200. I know some guys who did it for €800 - 900. 

Failing the exam:

• If you fail the exam once it wil cost you around 210 € for the examination fee and at least 1 driving class according to law. You might need more classes and it depends on you. You will be allowed to take the exam again in 2 weeks.
• Time

- You can start applying for a license immediately after coming to Germany and you don't have to wait till 6 months. However the Indian driving license is valid for 6 months.

- Verification procedure needs some 3 - 4 weeks to complete the process and afterwards it depends on you to finish it as per your convenience.

***However this not an official page to for learning theory but you can follow this book by American Army, I found it on some website. Here it is "http://www.eur.army.mil/rmv//Docume..."

Source/: http://www.city-data.com/forum/euro...

Note: The prices may vary from place to place and school to school! Please verify them once again.