How to get a Truck Driver License in Germany

Germany’s logistics industry is booming and faces a significant shortage of truck drivers - This means: Now is a promising time to pursue a truck driving career in Germany. To work as a truck driver in Germany, the most important step is obtaining the proper truck driving license. In this guide, we’ll explain what you need to get your truck driver’s license in Germany. We’ll cover the key requirements you must meet, the different truck license categories, the language skills you might need and how to convert a foreign truck license for use in Germany. By the end, you’ll know exactly what it takes to start your career on the road as a truck driver in Germany.

Requirements for your Truck Driver License in Germany

Requirements Truck Driver License

To drive heavy trucks in Germany, you must meet certain legal requirements before and during the licensing process. Here are the key requirements:

Minimum age: You generally must be at least 21 years old to obtain a Class C/CE truck license. In some cases, 18-year-olds can qualify – for example, if you are in a formal truck driver apprenticeship or professional training program.
Existing car license: You must already hold a Class B (car) driver’s license before you can get a truck license.
Medical Fitness Check: Obtaining a truck license requires a medical examination, including a general health check and an eyesight test by an optician or ophthalmologist.
First aid course: Like all new drivers in Germany, truck license applicants must complete a certified first aid course (Erste-Hilfe Kurs) and provide a certificate of completion
Theoretical and practical exams: You will need to enroll in a driving school and complete the required theory lessons and practical driving lessons for trucks.
Professional qualification (CPC): If you want to work as a professional truck driver in Germany, you must obtain the EU Driver Qualification Card (Code 95), also known as the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This qualification is mandatory for transporting goods commercially. You can earn it by either completing a 140-hour training course with a final exam or by undergoing a 3-year truck driver apprenticeship (Berufskraftfahrer-Ausbildung). Without this qualification, you are not legally permitted to drive trucks for commercial freight transport in Germany.

Keep in mind that truck driving licenses in classes C1, C1E, C, and CE are issued for 5-year periods. You will need to renew the license every five years with a follow-up medical and eye exam to maintain your qualifications.

Source: Bundesministerium für Verkehr

Which Truck Driver License Categories exist?

Truck Driver Lic. Categories

In Germany, truck driver licenses fall under Class C categories. There are four main sub-categories of heavy vehicle licenses, distinguishing light vs. heavy commercial vehicles and whether you can pull trailers:

C1 – Light Truck: Authorizes driving medium-weight trucks with a gross vehicle weight between 3.5 and 7.5 tons. This is useful for lighter commercial vehicles (e.g. small moving trucks or large vans) often used in delivery services or trades.
C1E – Light Truck + Trailer: Extends C1 to allow a trailer over 750 kg behind a C1 vehicle. With C1E, you can drive a truck up to 7.5 t plus a heavy trailer, up to a combined weight of 12 tons.
C – Heavy Truck: The standard heavy truck license. Class C lets you drive any rigid truck over 3.5 tons, with no upper weight limit on the vehicle. A small trailer up to 750 kg is also allowed with a C license. Class C is the minimum for most professional truck driving jobs and automatically entitles you to drive C1 vehicles as well.
CE – Heavy Truck + Trailer: This is the full combination license. Class CE allows driving Class C vehicles with trailers over 750 kg, meaning you can operate typical semi-trailer trucks or any heavy truck + heavy trailer combination. The CE license is essential if you plan to drive articulated lorries, tractor-trailers, or any truck pulling large trailers – it enables transport of heavy loads with no real weight limit on the trailer. You must already have or obtain Class C in the process of getting CE.

Note: If you get Class C, you automatically get C1; and if you get CE, it includes C, C1E, and C1 by extension.

Source: Fahrschule 123 , Continental-Reifen

Which language requirements do exist?

Language requirements

One concern for many newcomers is the language barrier in obtaining a German license. The good news is that theoretical exams can be taken in multiple languages – in fact, German law allows the theory test in 12 different languages, including English, French, Italian, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, and others. So you can study and take the written test in a language you’re more comfortable with (check with your driving school for the available language options for truck-license theory exams).

For the practical training and exam, some knowledge of German is very helpful. The driving instructor and examiner will typically speak German. However, many driving schools in big cities have instructors who speak other languages (e.g. English, Turkish, etc.), or they may allow an interpreter for the practical test if arranged.

If you are seeking employment, most trucking companies expect at least basic German proficiency. Typically an A2 to B1 level is recommended. This level ensures you can communicate with dispatchers, read freight documents, and handle roadside inspections. In fact, for foreign drivers, German authorities often require proof of basic German language skills as part of work visa considerations. In summary, while you can get the license with limited German thanks to multilingual exam options, improving your German will greatly help in training and on the job!

Do companies cover the Truck Diving License costs?

Companies Cover Costs

Training for a Truck Driver license can be expensive - up to 3.000 € and more. So a common question is whether employers or others will cover these costs. There are a few ways you might get your license funded:

Company-Sponsored Training (Apprenticeship): Yes, it’s possible for a company to pay for your truck driving license. One path is to enroll in a formal Berufskraftfahrer Ausbildung – a 3-year paid apprenticeship program. In such programs, the company you apprentice with will typically cover the costs of driving school and exams as part of your training.
Driver Shortage Initiatives: Due to the driver shortage, some logistics companies and recruitment agencies offer programs to sponsor the license training for new drivers, even outside of the formal apprenticeship system. These may be shorter courses. For example, an “accelerated qualification” program (“beschleunigte Grundqualifikation”) that can license and qualify you in around 6 months.
Employment Agency/Job Center Funding: If you are unemployed in Germany or seeking a career change, government agencies might finance your truck license training in some cases. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or Jobcenter can issue vouchers or cover course fees for a truck driving license when it’s likely to lead to a job.

Source: Continental-Reifen

Where do I get the Truck Driver License?

Where to get License

You obtain a truck driving license by training at a certified driving school (“Fahrschule”) that offers Class C/CE instruction. Not every small car-driving school will teach truck licenses, but every city has specialized driving schools (or driving school networks) for trucks and buses.

Here are a few ways to find a place to train:

Local Driving Schools: In major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, etc., you will find multiple driving schools offering truck license courses. Try out this searching page to find Driving Schools in Germany.
These schools provide the required theory lessons, practical driving lessons with a truck, and often assist with scheduling the exams.
Driving School Chains/Academies: Some organizations run larger training centers or academies for professional driver training. For example, the SVG (Straßenverkehrsgenossenschaft) have training programs for truck drivers in various regions. These might be geared towards corporate clients or intensive courses. Ensure any school you choose is licensed to provide Class C/CE training.
Language Support: If you’re not fluent in German, look for schools that mention instruction in other languages. Many driving schools advertise courses in English or other languages for truck licenses (e.g. https://fahrschule-asma.com/fuehrerschein-in-fremdsprache). Especially in bigger cities you can find instructors who speak English, Turkish, Russian, etc. This can be very helpful for the theory classes. Don’t hesitate to call and ask about language support.

How to get your foreign license to work in Germany

how to get foreign license accepted

Do you already have a truck driving license from another country? If so, the process of using it in Germany depends on where it was issued:

EU/EEA Licenses: If your heavy vehicle license was issued by an EU or EEA country, it is recognized in Germany. You can use it to drive in Germany without immediate conversion. If you take up residency in Germany long-term, you may eventually exchange it for a German license (especially once it expires, since all EU licenses are now standardized). But there’s no rush or additional test – the EU license (with the appropriate C/CE categories and Code 95 if you have it) is valid for working in Germany.
Non-EU Licenses: If your license was issued in a non-EU country, you can drive with it temporarily after arriving, but only for the first 6 months of residency. After that, you must convert (“umschreiben”) your foreign license to a German license to continue driving legally. The conversion is handled by your local Führerscheinstelle (driver’s license authority). It’s wise to start the application early, since this processing can take time.
Conversion Process: Germany has agreements with some countries (and certain U.S. states) allowing license exchange without a test. If your country/state is on the approved list, you might only need to submit paperwork and pass an eyesight exam and medical, not a driving test. For example, licenses from Switzerland or Quebec are often transferable without exams. However, if your country is not on the reciprocal list, you will need to pass the German theory and practical exams to get the German license - essentially the same tests as a new learner, though you might not need to complete a full set of lessons.
Documents for Conversion: When applying to convert a foreign license, you typically need to submit: proof of identity (passport/ID), proof of residency (Anmeldung certificate), a biometric passport photo, your eye test certificate (“Sehtest”), a First Aid course certificate, and of course your original driver’s license along with an official German translation of it. The authority may also ask for a statement of the license’s validity from the issuing country and, sometimes, a criminal record check (especially for professional licenses). If you are converting a truck license (Class C/CE), you will additionally need to provide the medical fitness certificate and ophthalmologist’s report just as a new applicant would. Once everything is approved, you can take the required exams (if any). Upon passing, you’ll receive a German license with equivalent categories.
Adding the Professional Qualification: Even after converting your foreign driving license, to work as a commercial truck driver in Germany you must have the EU professional driver qualification (CPC). If you obtained a Driver CPC qualification in another EU country, it should be recognized in Germany (often indicated by the code “95” on your license). But if you come from a non-EU country, your commercial driving experience doesn’t automatically grant EU Code 95. You will need to undergo the accelerated initial qualification course and pass the qualification exam in Germany to get the Driver Qualification Card. Some employers might facilitate this process. Essentially, Germany wants to ensure that all professional drivers meet the EU training standards in addition to holding the license.

Source: make-it-in-germany.com, handbookgermany

Summary

Summary FAQ

Germany is in urgent need of professional truck drivers – and that means great opportunities for you! In this guide, you’ve learned everything you need to know how to get a truck driver licence, which language skills are important, qualification steps (like the Code 95 certificate), and how to convert a foreign license. We’ve also covered where to get your license and whether companies might cover the costs.

Ready to hit the road as a Truck Driver? Find more details here hello-jobs.eu/truck-driver – your shortcut to working as a truck driver in Germany!

FAQs: Truck Driving in Germany

How do I get a truck driving license in Germany?
You’ll need to apply for a C or CE class license at a driving school, pass medical and eyesight checks, take theory and practical lessons, and complete the final exams. For commercial work, the CPC (Code 95) qualification is also required.

Can I work as a truck driver in Germany?
Yes. If you meet the license and language requirements, there are many job opportunities – especially for qualified drivers from the EU or with recognized foreign licenses.

How much does a truck license cost in Germany?
Costs vary by region and school, but you can expect to pay up to 3.000 € and more for training and exams. Some employers cover these costs if you join through a training program.

Will a US driver’s license work in Germany?
Not directly. You'll need to convert your US commercial license to a German one by applying for recognition, which may include passing tests or taking additional training depending on your state.