Since April 1, 2021, the driver's license authority can also issue a Class B driver's license with the key number 197. You complete your driver training and driving test in a vehicle with automatic transmission and receive the qualification to drive vehicles with manual transmission. 
Please note that you must make your decision (class B or B197) when you register at the driving school and when you apply to the driver's license authority.

Application

• You must appear in person (for identification and signature).
• 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 have passed 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 or €12 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

• Your primary residence is in Mainz.
• Minimum age required for classes B, BE
• Previous license classes:
  • for BE: previous license B required

• 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.

• Regulation on the admission of persons to road traffic (opens in a new tab)

• 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.

If you need to pick up your card driver's license at the driver's license authority:

in person

• 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

• 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)