What is BF17?
With BF17 you can drive a car from age 17 – but only with an accompanying person. This way you gain real driving experience early on, become more confident and start driving on your own at 18 much more relaxed.
All about your driving licence
Accompanied driving from 17, the timeline from application to exam, choosing the right driving school, tips for exam nerves and effective learning: on this page you’ll find everything explained in a compact way.
BF17 – Accompanied driving from 17
Why BF17?
- Early driving practice in a safe setting
- More routine & less stress at 18
- Often lower insurance premiums
- A very good start for young drivers
What are you allowed to drive?
- Passenger cars up to 3,500 kg (with accompanying person)
- M, L and moped also without an accompanying person
Until you turn 18 you receive a BF17 driving entitlement (not a full driving licence).
Accompanying persons
- At least 30 years old
- Class B for at least 5 years
- Max. 1 point in Flensburg
Accompanying persons may advise and give hints – they must not intervene.
Driving without an accompanying person
- Serious violation: €70
- 1 point and immediate revocation of the BF17 entitlement.
Until your 18th birthday you are then no longer allowed to drive.
B197 – the modern way to drive
What is B197?
You take the practical exam comfortably in an automatic car – and afterwards you’re still allowed to drive any manual car. Full Class B, but with significantly less exam stress. The training is mixed: you learn both automatic and manual driving, but the exam is only on an automatic.
Why B197?
- Relaxed exam in an automatic car
- No restriction on the driving licence
- Modern & safe training
- Ideal for everyday life, family cars & work
Requirements
- At least 10 driving lessons in a manual car
- Internal manual-competence test (no TÜV!)
- Entry via driving school & driving licence authority
The TÜV exam takes place exclusively in an automatic car.
B196 – ride a 125cc with a Class B licence
What is B196?
Ride a 125cc with your normal Class B licence – without a TÜV exam. Just a short training at the driving school and then you get the entry.
Requirements for B196
- 25 years or older
- Class B for 5 years
- Training in theory & practice
No theoretical or practical exam required
What are you allowed to ride?
- Light motorcycles up to 125 cm³ / 11 kW
- Many models over 100 km/h
- Ideal for city, countryside & commuters
Why B196?
- No TÜV exam
- Motorcycle feeling without extensive training
- Low running costs and flexible for everyday life
What speaks against B196?
- Valid only in Germany
- No upgrade to A1/A2/A possible
- Minimum age 25
- Shorter training than a “real” motorcycle class
- Not suitable for trips abroad
- NOT A DRIVING LICENCE, only an extension
Your path to the driving licence
Your timeline
- Registration: anytime
- Application: up to 6 months in advance
- Theory exam: up to 3 months in advance
- Practical exam: up to 4 weeks in advance
Documents
For the application you need:
- Passport photo
- Eye test
- First-aid course
- Signature sheet
Theory
- 6 or 12 double lessons (basic material)
- 2 or 4 double lessons (class-specific)
- Theory exam
Practice
The number of practice lessons is very individual and depends on aptitude, prior experience and concentration.
- Practice lessons as needed
- Mandatory special drives
- Practical exam
Learn effectively
FahrenLernen Max
- Complete official questions
- Exam mode like at TÜV
- Videos for the exam topics
Best and most affordable learning program because it includes a pass guarantee
Option 2 – ADAC app
The ADAC app does not offer the same performance and pass guarantee as the professional app
- Good for getting started
- Less in-depth
Option 3 – cheap apps
Often incomplete – highest risk of failing
Choosing the right driving school
How to recognise quality
- Modern vehicles
- Clear & transparent processes
- Patient, professional instructors
- Good organisation & fixed contacts
- Good learning system
Why not the cheapest option?
- Cheap = often more driving lessons
- Better training saves money in the end
- Important: quality instead of “bargains”
- Training also in foreign languages
What should you test?
- Watch a theory lesson
- Check vehicles & rooms
- Ask questions – get clear answers
Other people’s experiences
Ask friends and family: Was the teaching good? Was it explained patiently? Did you feel well looked after?
Exam nerves – relaxed into the exam
No tricks
- Examiners don’t set traps
- It’s only about safe driving
- Mistakes are normal – perfection isn’t required
Stay calm
- Arrive rested & on time
- Less pressure: don’t tell everyone about the date
- Come alone – without a “fan club”
- Take time off (school/work)
What really helps
- Drive realistically – like in your lessons
- No sedatives
- Drink plenty & eat normally beforehand
- Energy drink before the exam (alertness)
Don’t expect perfection
Nobody expects you to drive perfectly. Drive the way you did in your last lessons. Overdoing shoulder checks or driving extremely slowly often creates new mistakes instead of safety.
Truly excellent drivers usually become most people only after many thousands of kilometres on the road.
Why us
Modern vehicles
- Current Mercedes models
- Current Honda models
- Safe and comfortable
- Easy to operate
- Driver-assistance systems for the exam
Patient instructors
- Calm and friendly
- Clear explanations
- No pressure, no stress
- Communicative via media
Clear, fair processes
- Transparent training plan
- Easy-to-understand information
- No hidden costs
- Individual meeting points
High pass rate
- Realistic preparation
- Focus on TÜV-relevant content
- Many pass on the first attempt