Applying for a category L driving license
Online services
If you want to drive simple motor vehicles in agriculture, you must apply for a Class L driver's license (the "small tractor license").
This is the first time you have been issued with a Class L driver's license. You have never held a driver's license before.
What do I need to know?
Service description
With a Class L driver's license (colloquially known as a "small tractor license"), you are permitted to drive the following vehicles at the age of 16:
- tractors intended and used for agricultural or forestry purposes with a maximum design speed of 40 km/h
- Combinations of these vehicles and trailers, if driven at a maximum speed of 25 km/h
- Self-propelled work machines, feed mixers, forklifts, and other industrial trucks, each with a maximum design speed of 25 km/h
- Combinations of these vehicles and trailers
The Class L driver's license is issued for an indefinite period.
Application
- You must submit the application in person (for identification and signature purposes).
- You can apply for your first driver's license at the earliest 6 months before reaching 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 the 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.
Collecting your card driving license from the driver's license authority
- in person
- by an authorized person
Prerequisites
- You must have your primary residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You must be at least 16 years of age.
- Your primary residence is in Mainz.
- When applying for a Class L driver's license for the first time, you do not need to hold a driver's license of any other class.
Remark
- When issuing a driver's license for the first time, we generally issue it for a 2-year probationary period. Driver's license classes AM, L, and T are exempt from the probationary period.
- You must have passed the theory test before taking the practical test. You may take the theory test at the earliest 3 months and 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 application being received.
- you have not passed the practical test within 12 months of passing the theory test.
What else should I know?
To obtain a Class L driver's license, only a theory test is required.
There is no probationary period for a Class L driver's license.
Legal basis
Deadlines
- Application deadline: 12 months
The application for a first driver's license expires if you do not pass the theory test within 12 months of the test request being received.
Processing time
approximately 6 to 8 weeks
Responsible body
The local driver's license authority at the city or district administration office is responsible for this.
What do I need to bring or submit?
- Valid identity card or passport (with current registration certificate, if applicable)
- Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view)
- Eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
- Proof of participation in a first aid training course
- Details of the driving school
- Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view) - no digital code possible!
Note:
Since May 1, 2025, the rule applies that you must submit a digital passport photo to the registration authority for ID cards and passports. 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.
- Application for a driver's license (provided by driving schools)
To collect your card driving license from the driver's license authority, you will need:
in person
- Cover letter from the driver's license authority
- Identification document
By an authorized person
- Letter from the driver's license authority
- Identification documents of both persons
- Written power of attorney
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.
- Initial issuance of a driver's license: €45.90
- Issuance of a provisional driver's license: €11.20
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
- Collecting a driving license from the driving license authority, power of attorneyPDF-File156,76 kB
- Driver's license, declaration of consent from legal representative(s), formPDF-File91,53 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. 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. 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 | |
| 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. 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 |
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.