Class B with key number 197

On 1 April 2021, category B was replaced by category B with key number 197 (B197), which is easier to obtain.

With B197, you are authorised to drive cars with manual and automatic transmissions in Germany and abroad without restriction.

Approximately 80% of your driving training and your test will take place in a car with an automatic gearbox. This makes your test easier and reduces the number of driving lessons.

Driver training in a car with a manual gearbox (5 driving sessions of 90 minutes each) is integrated into your B197 driving training. This gives you the licence to drive cars with a manual gearbox.

After the driver training course, you will take a 30-minute test drive with your driving instructor.

The training for category B197 does not take longer than for category B, as you generally need fewer driving lessons due to the training on a car with an automatic transmission. You can also drive some special trips as part of your driver training.

Extension to class BE (trailer) with previous possession of class B197:

Anyone who has obtained class B with key number 197 receives an automatic restriction with key number 78 when extending the driving licence for the subsequent category BE, C or D, provided that the test for category BE, C, D is taken with an automatic vehicle.

The training and test for category BE, C or D now always takes place in a vehicle with automatic transmission at almost all driving schools.

This means that there is an automatic restriction for category BE, C or D.

-> A trailer may then only be towed by a car with automatic transmission.

This automatic transmission restriction could be removed if you prove your switching competence in a new practical test for category B.

No special trips, no theory lessons and no theory test are required for this short training course.

Extension to class BE (trailer) with previous possession of class B:

Anyone who has obtained category B does not receive an automatic transmission restriction when extending the driving licence for the subsequent category BE, C or D, even if the category BE, C or D test was taken with an automatic vehicle, as the ability to shift gears was already demonstrated during the category B test.

-> A trailer may be towed by a car with an automatic gearbox and a car with a manual gearbox.

We therefore strongly recommend that if you want to tow a trailer with a car with a manual gearbox, you should take the class B test. And not class B197!
 

• Start of training Minimum age 17.5 years -> Issue of driving licence Minimum age 18 years

• Application for driving licence at the driving licence authority

• Theoretical training

• Theoretical test

• Practical training with a car with automatic transmission

• Practical exam with a car with automatic transmission

• Practical driver training lasting at least 450 minutes (5 driving sessions of 90 minutes each) in a car with a manual gearbox

• Test drive in town and out of town with your driving instructor in a car with a manual gearbox

• No practical exam with a car with manual transmission necessary

• Class B with key number 197 is also possible with BF17 accompanied driving (minimum age 16.5 years).
   

Number required if you have not previously held a driving licence class:

• 12 theory units (90 min. each) Basic knowledge
   
• 2 theory units (90 min. each) Class B

Number required if you have previously held a driving licence class:

• 6 theory units (90 minutes each) Basic knowledge
   
• 2 theory units (90 minutes each) class B

Further information at Theoretical training
 

Your driving lessons consist of training lessons and special lessons.

Further information at Practical training.

For even more efficient training, you should also practise all modules on our drive easy simulator.
 

In the training lessons, you will practise basic driving tasks (parking, emergency braking, reversing) and driving within the city.

The number of training lessons is not specified in the learner driver training regulations and can therefore be carried out individually depending on the learner driver's level of ability.
individualised.

The number of training lessons expected in order to successfully pass the practical test cannot be precisely predicted at the beginning of the training.
training cannot be precisely predicted.

11 driving appointments (90 minutes each) training lessons is an average value with which it is usually possible to pass the 1st practical exam successfully.

However, depending on the level of proficiency, fewer or more practice drives may be required.
 

In the special lessons (also known as statutory driving lessons), you will only practise driving outside the city.

• 5 driving lessons (45 minutes each) overland driving
   
• 4 driving lessons (45 minutes each) Motorway driving
   
• 3 driving lessons (45 minutes each) Twilight driving
   

1.  Individual number of driving appointments training lessons with automatic until you are ready for the exam within the city
    
2.  1 driving appointment (90 min) test simulation with automatic transmission
    -> with success -> continue with point 3
    -> without success -> further automatic practice drives and renewed test simulation
    
3.  2 driving appointments (90 min) training lessons with gearstick
    
4.  3 driving appointments (90 min) special lessons with gearstick
    
5.  1 driving appointment (90 min) with gearstick (1 test drive with gearstick 30 min and 1 training lesson with gearstick 60 min)
    
6.  3 driving appointments (90 min) special lessons with automatic transmission
    
7.  Individual number of driving appointments training lessons with automatic transmission as a refresher before the exam
    
8. Practical exam with automatic transmission