Procedure descriptions
Driving licence issued for the first time for category L
With the class L driver's license (colloquially ''small tractor driver's license") you are allowed 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 no more than 40 km/h
- combinations of these vehicles and trailers, if they are driven at a maximum speed of 25 km/h
- self-propelled machines, feed mixers, forklifts and other industrial trucks, each with a maximum design speed of not more than 25 km/h
- combinations of these vehicles and trailers
The driving license class L is issued for an unlimited period of time.
Responsible authority
Details
Prerequisite
- You must have your main residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You must have reached the minimum age of 16 years.
Required documents
- valid identity card or passport (if necessary with current certificate of residence)
- current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal)
- eye test certificate (not older than 2 years)
- Proof of participation in a first aid course
- Information about the driving school
Costs
- The fee is based on the Fee Regulations for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).
- If the driver's license is sent directly to the home address, an additional shipping fee will be charged.
Miscellaneous
When acquiring a class L driver's license, only a theoretical test is required.
There is no probationary period for the class L driver's license.
Legal basis
Fahrerlaubnisverordnung (FeV):
- § 21 Antrag auf Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis
- § 2 Fahrerlaubnis und Führerschein
Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung(FeV):
- §§4 bis 6c Allgemeine Regelungen
- §§ 7 bis 20 Voraussetzungen für die Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis
- §§ 21 bis 25 Verfahren bei der Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis
Release note
24.06.2025 Machine generated, based on the German release by: Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) and Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg