Driving license: Apply for an extension of category A1 or A2 to the next higher category
Online services
If you hold a Class A1 or A2 driver's license, you can upgrade to the next higher class under certain conditions.
What do I need to know?
Service description
If you have held a Class A1 or A2 driver's license for at least 2 years, passing the practical test is sufficient to obtain the upgrade from A1 to A2 or from A2 to A. A theory test is not necessary.
A Class A1 driver's license entitles you to drive
- motorcycles, including those with sidecars, with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cubic centimeters, an engine power of no more than 11 kilowatts (kW), where the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg, and
- three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetrically arranged wheels and an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters for combustion engines or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and with a power output of up to 15 kW.
A Class A2 driver's license entitles you to drive
- motorcycles, including those with sidecars, with a maximum engine power of 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg, which are not derived from a motorcycle with an engine power exceeding 70 kW, and
- vehicles in categories A1 and AM, which entitles you to drive small motorcycles such as scooters and mopeds.
A Class A driver's license entitles you to drive
- motorcycles, including those with sidecars, with an engine capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h, and three-wheeled motor vehicles with a power output of more than 15 kW and
- three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetrically arranged wheels and a cylinder capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters for combustion engines or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and with a power output of more than 15 kW.
Application
- You must apply in person (for identification and signature purposes).
- You can apply for a driver's license extension at the earliest 6 months before you reach the minimum age.
Issuance:
- If you have only applied for one class (e.g., B or A1), the license will be issued immediately after you pass the test by the examiner.
- If you have applied for several classes, the examiner will only issue a test certificate.
- With this, you can apply for a provisional driver's license at the driver's license authority. (additional fee: 11.20 euros or 12 euros during the probationary period)
- The provisional driver's license is valid for a maximum of 3 months and is only valid within the Federal Republic of Germany.
Collection of the card driving license from the driver's license authority:
- in person
- by an authorized person
Prerequisites
- You have held a class A1 or A2 driver's license for at least 2 years.
- Your primary residence is in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- The minimum age for class A2 is 18 years.
- The minimum age for class A is 20 if you already hold an A2 license.
- Her primary residence is in Mainz.
Remark
- You must pass the theory test before starting the practical test. You may take the theory test at the earliest 3 months before reaching the minimum age. You may take the practical test at the earliest 1 month before reaching the minimum age.
- The application expires if:
- You have not passed the theory test within 12 months of the test request being received.
- You have not passed the practical exam within 12 months of passing the theoretical exam.
- The provisional driver's license is valid for a maximum of 3 months and is only valid within the Federal Republic of Germany.
Please note:
- All EU card driving licenses issued since January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years from the date of issue. This time limit refers only to the validity of the document and not to the granting of the driving license.
- All driver's licenses (including card driver's licenses) issued before January 19, 2013, must be exchanged by January 19, 2033.
What else should I know?
Legal basis
- § Section 15 (3) and (4) of the Ordinance on the Admission of Persons to Road Traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV) (opens in a new tab)
- § Section 21 Ordinance on the Admission of Persons to Road Traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV) (opens in a new tab)
- § Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) (opens in a new tab)
- § 6 Ordinance on the admission of persons to road traffic (Driving License Ordinance - FeV) (opens in a new tab)
Deadlines
You must obtain your driver's license within two years of passing the practical test. Otherwise, the test will lose its validity.
You can take the practical test to upgrade from class A1 to class A2 or from class A2 to class A at the earliest one month before the expiry of the two-year period after the previous driving license was issued or when you reach the minimum age.
Responsible body
Your local driver's license authority at the city or district administration.
What do I need to bring or submit?
- Valid identity card or passport (with current registration certificate, if applicable)
- Application for a driver's license
- One biometric photo in accordance with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance, size 45x35 millimeters
- Eye test certificate, not older than 2 years
- Valid driver's license
- Proof of completion of a first aid training course comprising 9 units
- Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view), no digital code possible!
Note:
Since May 1, 2025, the rule for passport photos for identity cards and passports is that you must submit a digital passport photo to the registration authority. However, this requirement does not apply to the driver's license authority and therefore does not affect the application for driver's license documents. Please also note that the driver's license authorities do not have the technical equipment to take photos on site. You must therefore submit passport photos in analog form, preferably together with the complete application documents, to the driver's license authority.
- Information about the driving school
- If applicable, a copy of the index card from the last issuing authority (if different from the current authority)
If you have to pick up your card driver's license at the driver's license authority:
In person
- Cover letter from the driver's license authority
- Identification document
- Previous driver's license
by an authorized representative
- Letter from the driver's license authority
- Identification documents of both persons
- Written power of attorney
- Previous driver's license
How much does it cost and how can I pay?
Fees
The fee is based on the schedule of fees for road traffic measures (GebOSt).
An additional shipping fee will be charged if the driver's license is sent directly to your home address.
- Extension of driving license: €45.10 (€45.90 with probationary period)
- Issuance of a provisional driver's license: €11.20 or €12 during the probationary period
- For direct delivery by the Federal Printing Office in Berlin: €6.50 (only possible to a limited extent)
Payment methods
Cash/EC
Forms, information sheets, links
Formulare
- Driving license: Application for the issue, extension, renewal or transfer of a driving licensePDF-File214,80 kB
- Driving license, medical certificate of medical fitness (Annex 5 to the Driving License Ordinance FeV, sample form of the Federal Ministry of Justice)PDF-File1,17 MB
- Collecting a driving license from the driving license authority, power of attorneyPDF-File156,76 kB
Internetverweise
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Contact us
Address
Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (Führerscheinstelle)
Elly-Beinhorn-Straße 16
55129 Mainz
Postal address
55028 Mainz
Your way to us
Contact persons
| Mr. BossogProcessing for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letters A to B and U | Letter range: A–B und U | +49 6131 12 ext. 3482 | |
| Mr. KeilProcessing for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letters D to G and T | Letter range: D–G und T | +49 6131 12 ext. 3728 | |
| Mrs. MayerProcessing for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letters U to Z | Letter range: W–Z und H | +49 6131 12 ext. 2187 | |
| Mrs. WeideClerk for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letters I to L and C | Letter range: I–L und C | +49 6131 12 ext. 2193 | |
| Mrs. LangeProcessing for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letter range R to S | Letter range: R–S | +49 6131 12 ext. 2812 | |
| Mrs. TrabertClerk for initial issue, BF 17, replacement, exchange, extension, renewal of C and D classes, letter range L to Q | Letter range: M–Q und V | +49 6131 12 ext. 2634 |
Opening hours
Current information:
Appointments can only be made at the times listed below after booking online in advance.
Online appointment scheduling/Vehicle Registration Office (opens in a new tab)
Monday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays!
Please also note that due to the time required to accept an affidavit in the event of a driver's license loss, we can only accept these on Thursdays until 5 p.m.
Accessibility
Information on accessibility
Barrier-free access available. Wheelchair-accessible WC available.