Anyone who has passed the driving test is allowed to drive a car. However, the driving license—specifically the class B driving license—is first issued on a probationary basis. This probationary period lasts two years and starts on the day you get your driver’s license. If you are only 17 years old and participate in accompanied driving, the probationary period begins when you receive the so-called test certificate. The probationary period applies to all classes except Am (two-wheelers under 45 km/h maximum speed) and L and T (agricultural tractors). This is according to the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport. Those who do not comply with the rules must expect their probationary period to be extended. In addition, an absolute ban on alcohol applies to all drivers younger than 21 and all novice drivers during the probationary period.
If you are caught speeding during your probationary period, for example, there will be consequences. There are two groups of violations during the probationary period: A-offenses and B-offenses. A-violations are serious mistakes for which you get points in the so-called driving suitability file (formerly: traffic offender file). This is the case, for example, if you run a red light, are caught driving with a cell phone, or drive more than 21 kilometers per hour faster than the speed limit. B-violations are minor traffic offenses, i.e. driving with worn tires, missing an environmental sticker or parking the wrong way. Two B-violations result in an A-violation.
Even with an A offense, you will receive mail from the driver’s license office. You then have to attend an additional training seminar and your probationary period is extended to four years. The postgraduate seminar costs several hundred euros. If you refuse to attend the advanced seminar, you will lose your driver’s license. Anyone who commits further traffic violations during the extended probationary period also risks losing their driver’s license.
www.bmdv.bund.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/StV/Strassenverkehr/fahranfaenger-innen-und-begleitetes-fahren-ab-17.html
www.adac.de/verkehr/rund-um-den-fuehrerschein/erwerb/probezeit/
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Fahrschule in Tübingen. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian
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