Car driving licence preview

B78 automatic driving licence

Enjoy the easiest way to drive with the most popular urban driving licence. 

How much does it cost?
Work it out!

Here’s how we’ll get you
on the road to your driving licence:

Paperwork

Before you can start theory or practical lessons, we first need to take care of a little paperwork. It’s quick and easy!

1

Register with us

Before you can get started, you first need to register with our driving school. You can do this at our office at Lenaustraße 27 near Herrmannplatz, or simply and conveniently online. 

2

First aid course

Every learner driver must complete a first aid course. You can take one directly with us!

You can find information and dates > on our page.

3

Registration with the citizens’ office

You can’t simply obtain a driving licence without approval: the Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO) must approve it first. It’s best to submit the application directly through us, which also speeds things up. 

Our top tip:
Take the first aid course first. 

If you come to us with your completed first aid course (EHK), a biometric passport photo and a passed eyesight test, we can take care of both registrations at once!

Theory

Mandatory lessons combined with a top learning app for quick, easy progress.

1

Mandatory theory lessons

After registering, you can start your theory lessons with us straight away. The B driving licence requires 14 lessons in total. Here you can find the dates for our theory lessons.

2

Learning app

Once you register, we’ll activate the ClickClickDrive learning app for you. It contains all the relevant topics and exam questions.

3

Theory test

We’ll register you for the theory test once you’ve attended all mandatory theory lessons and reached at least 90% progress in the learning app. You’ll then take the test at TÜV or Dekra depending on where you registered.

Keep at it!

Yes, the theory question bank is quite extensive these days. It’s best to study a little in the learning app every day so you can keep up.

Completing the theory also gets you to the practical test sooner.

Practical training

This is where the fun begins! There are, however, a few things to bear in mind.

1

Driving lessons

In regular driving lessons, you’ll learn how to operate the car and drive it safely. Our instructors are specially trained to teach you with plenty of patience and care. 

For the best learning results, we usually arrange double lessons of 2 × 40 minutes.

2

Special driving sessions

Special driving sessions comprise rural-road driving, motorway driving and night driving in the dark. By law, you must complete 5 rural-road driving lessons, 4 motorway drives and at least 3 night drives.

Each special driving session lasts 45 minutes. We usually do 2–3 of these sessions with you in a row.  

3

Practical test

Our aim is for you to pass first time! Our instructors have plenty of experience and can judge very well whether you’re ready for the test. We’ll never push you into taking lessons you don’t need. 

But we don’t want to send you in too early either — who wants to take the test twice? 

Test dates in Berlin!?

We can manage that, even as a small driving school! We’ll put you on the waiting list early so you get your test date in good time. 

We’re your driving instructors
for category B78!

Get started now and begin your
automatic driving licence today!

Success stories
without end.

Will you be next?

Our car for category B78

Ready to get started?
Then sign up now!

Google reviews

Here’s how our learner drivers rated us on Google!

4.9 out of 5 stars

5 Sterne

from 90 reviews
(as of November 2023)

5 Sterne

"Lessons in English"

"This driving school deserves a million stars. Thank you very much to my instructor, Mr Kent. You are not only a very patient and professional instructor, but also a highly motivated and lovely person. The school is exceptionally well organised. Always punctual. You won’t be disappointed with your lessons."

He speaks English far, far better than any other English-language driving school in Berlin. I highly recommend this driving school. Get your driving licence professionally 🙌👇 Many thanks"


William Cansino

Driving lessons with Kent

5 Sterne

"Relaxed, friendly and patient!"

"A really great driving school. :) Everyone who works there was very kind, and the atmosphere was always pleasant. Beyhan was a fantastic instructor who taught me everything in a relaxed, friendly and patient way. He helped me stay calm before the test. I’m very grateful to have found this school and recommend it to everyone."


Michal Schultz

Driving lessons with Beyhan

5 Sterne

"Passed first time."

"The driving school is excellent — everyone is friendly and helpful, not disinterested and distant like I’ve experienced elsewhere. My instructor was respectful, competent and had great taste in music. I felt well looked after and passed first time — highly recommended :)"


Annabelle Hansen

Driving lessons with Beyhan

B78 Driving Licence: The Smart Choice for City Life

In the fast pace of urban life, the B78 driving licence is a convenient and efficient option for anyone who mainly drives in town. But what exactly does this mysterious combination of letters and numbers mean? It’s simple: with a B78 licence, you may drive automatic vehicles only. No clutch, no gear changes — driving becomes easier than ever.

Benefits of the automatic-only restriction

The main advantage is obvious: an automatic car is much easier to operate than a manual one. That’s an invaluable benefit, particularly in town.

Stop-start traffic and frequent stops at traffic lights can quickly become a challenge when you’re constantly changing gear. An automatic makes driving in these situations much more relaxing.

Ideal for city dwellers

Especially in big cities, where traffic is heavy and parking spaces are scarce, an automatic is a real blessing. Simpler handling makes parking easier and reduces stress in difficult traffic situations. Drivers can focus better on the road and feel more relaxed overall.

Enrol at the driving school today!

The B78 driving licence is ideal for anyone living in a city who wants to navigate the daily traffic jungle without unnecessary stress. It lets you focus on what matters and makes driving more pleasant and safer overall. So if you live in a big city and are looking for a stress-free, efficient way to get around, the B78 licence is just right for you.

This licence simply makes city life a little more pleasant. So why wait? Learn to drive an automatic and experience the many benefits of this modern way of driving for yourself.

FAQ

What is the difference between B78 and B197?

The B78 and B197 are both driving licence categories for passenger cars (PKW). Both involve automatic vehicles, but there is one key difference: B78 driving licence With a B78 licence, you take the test in an automatic vehicle and your licence is restricted to driving such vehicles. This means you may drive automatic cars only, not vehicles with a manual gearbox. B197 driving licence The B197 is a relatively new option that extends the standard B driving licence. If you take the test in an automatic vehicle and complete additional specialist training, a B197 licence also lets you drive manual cars. The automatic-only restriction is therefore removed once you successfully complete the required training. The key feature of B197 is greater flexibility: if you wish, you can later drive manual cars without taking another test. In return, you’ll have more driving lessons.

What are the disadvantages of an automatic driving licence?

An automatic driving licence may seem appealing at first, as driving without changing gear manually is often considered easier and more comfortable. But this choice also has drawbacks. The obvious one is that you’re restricted to automatic vehicles if you don’t have a B197 licence. You can’t simply get into any car and drive off. So if your friends or family have manual cars, you won’t be able to drive them.

An automatic-only licence may also limit your employment options. Many companies expect their employees to be able to drive both types of vehicle, particularly in logistics or jobs involving a range of driving duties.

It could also be argued that restricting yourself to automatic vehicles means missing out on important driving fundamentals. Understanding how a car works and knowing how to change gear appropriately in different driving situations are skills you simply don’t learn in an automatic car.

In short, while an automatic driving licence certainly has its advantages, its drawbacks should not be overlooked and should be taken into account when making your decision.

Driving a manual with an automatic-only licence: could you be penalised?

If you only hold a licence for automatic vehicles but drive a manual car, you are committing a criminal offence. Driving without a valid licence is a serious offence in Germany and can be punished by a fine or even imprisonment for up to one year. Criminal proceedings are generally initiated as well. The consequences are not only financial: your licence may be revoked, or you may have to wait out a disqualification period before applying again. It may also affect your insurance; in the event of an accident, your insurer may refuse cover.

You should also bear in mind that driving a manual car without the appropriate licence poses safety risks. It endangers both you and other road users. We therefore strongly recommend driving only vehicle types for which you hold a valid licence.

Automatic driving licence in Berlin: what are the benefits?

In Berlin, the main benefits of an automatic driving licence are the simplicity and comfort of driving, especially in heavy city traffic. With no gear changes, you have one hand free and can focus more on other aspects of driving, such as the traffic or navigation. You can often take the driving test sooner because fewer practice lessons are needed for gear changes. However, a standard automatic-only licence does not allow you to drive manual cars unless you take an additional test later.

How can you identify an automatic driving licence?

In Germany, an automatic driving licence is identified by code 78 printed on the licence. This code indicates that the driving test was taken in a vehicle with an automatic gearbox and that the holder may drive automatic vehicles only. If the holder later qualifies to drive manual vehicles, code 78 is removed from the licence.

Switching from an automatic to a manual driving licence — how does it work?

To extend an automatic licence to cover manual gearboxes, you must pass a practical driving test in a manual vehicle. Here are the steps:

  1. Register with a driving school: You must register with a driving school that offers this type of licence extension.
  2. Driving lessons: You’ll need driving lessons to become familiar with operating a manual gearbox. The number of lessons depends on your individual ability.
  3. Practical test: After completing your lessons, you’ll take a practical test. It is similar to the standard driving test but focuses on your ability to operate a manual vehicle.
  4. Updating your driving licence: If you pass, code 78 will be removed from your licence, allowing you to drive both automatic and manual vehicles.
  5. Updating your licence with the authorities: You must take proof that you passed the test to the relevant driving licence authority and have your licence updated.

There is no theory test for this extension, as it only adds a practical skill.

What can I drive with a B78 automatic licence?

With a category B licence bearing code 78, you may drive category B motor vehicles with an automatic gearbox only. This includes cars with a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg and no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat. You may also tow light trailers, provided the combined authorised mass of the car and trailer does not exceed the limit.

What category is an automatic driving licence?

An automatic driving licence is usually a category B licence marked with code 78. This code means you are authorised to drive automatic vehicles only.

Who is allowed to drive an automatic car?

Anyone with a car driving licence may drive an automatic vehicle. If your licence does not bear code 78, you may drive both manual and automatic vehicles. However, if your licence bears code 78, you are restricted to automatic vehicles only.