A BE licence allows you to drive combinations consisting of a Class B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer with a permitted gross weight of more than 750 kg. The permitted gross weight of the vehicle combination may exceed 3,500 kg but must not exceed 7,000 kg.

No, that is not possible. A BE licence requires you to hold a Class B driving licence. You must first obtain your Class B licence before upgrading to Class BE.

There are no mandatory theory lessons for the BE licence, but you must take a practical test. The number of practical lessons is not set by law; it depends on your progress and your instructor’s assessment. The practical training focuses on driving with a trailer, including manoeuvring, reversing, and correctly hitching and unhitching the trailer. We recommend taking enough lessons to feel confident with a trailer before your test.

The BE test focuses on handling a vehicle combination – a Class B vehicle together with a trailer. Here is an overview of a typical test:

1. Preparation: You meet your instructor to prepare the vehicle and trailer for the test. Make sure all lights and brakes work and that the tyre pressure has been checked.
2. Pre-drive check: Before setting off, the candidate carries out a pre-drive check. The examiner checks whether you can ensure the safety of the vehicle combination (for example, whether the trailer is correctly hitched and the lights are working).
3. Driving test: The practical driving test begins. It covers driving in different traffic situations as well as special manoeuvres with the trailer.
4. Special manoeuvres: These usually include manoeuvring the vehicle combination, turning it around, and reversing into a parking space or a similar position to demonstrate that you can handle the trailer safely.
5. Observing and participating in traffic: You must demonstrate that you can safely drive the vehicle combination in moving traffic while following the traffic rules and speed limits that apply to trailers.
6. Debrief: After the drive, the examiner will discuss the result and any mistakes.

Throughout the test, it is important not only to handle the vehicle combination confidently, but also to demonstrate safe road use and a good understanding of traffic. The test usually lasts about 45 minutes. If you pass, the BE category will be added to your driving entitlement.

No, you cannot get a BE licence without a test. Both a theory test and a practical test are required to obtain this driving category.

If you take Classes B and BE together, you will follow a combined training programme. This means preparing for the theory and practical tests for Class B at the same time as taking additional practical lessons for Class BE. The theory test is the same because Class B is the foundation. The practical test, however, is separate for each class, and the BE test includes specific trailer manoeuvres.

Yes, you can take the BE test in an automatic vehicle. If you do, code 78 will be added to your driving licence. This means you may later tow trailers only with automatic vehicles. If you want to drive a manual vehicle, you will need to take an additional practical test.

Under current German regulations, you can obtain a Class BE licence from the age of 17 if you are taking part in the “Accompanied Driving from 17” (BF17) programme. You may only drive Class BE vehicles with a companion until you turn 18.

Your accompanying person does not need to hold a Class BE licence. A valid Class B licence is sufficient. However, they must be at least 30 years old, have held a driving licence for at least five years, and have no more than one point in the Flensburg driving register.

1. Test registration: Your driving school will register you for the practical test once you are ready.
2. Practical test: You take the practical test, which includes driving with a trailer.
3. Application: After passing your test, apply at the Bürgeramt or driving licence office for a new licence showing category BE.
4. Collect your driving licence: Once your new licence is ready, you can collect it from the authorities.

The BE driving licence and code B96 both allow you to drive vehicle combinations, but they differ in several important ways:

BE driving licence:

1. Allows you to drive combinations of a Class B towing vehicle and a trailer, where the permitted combined gross weight may exceed 3,500 kg.
2. The trailer’s permitted gross weight may exceed 750 kg, as long as the total permitted weight of the combination does not exceed 7,000 kg.
3. A practical driving test is required.
4. There is no separate restriction on the trailer’s permitted gross weight, provided the total combination does not exceed 7,000 kg.
5. This category is recognised throughout the EU.

B96 licence:

1. An extension of a Class B driving licence.
2. Allows you to drive combinations of a Class B towing vehicle and a trailer with a permitted combined gross weight between 3,500 kg and 4,250 kg.
3. No additional test is required, but you must complete a special course lasting at least 7 hours in total.
4. B96 is particularly suited to towing medium-weight trailers, such as horse trailers or larger caravans, without needing a full BE licence.
5. This code is also recognised throughout the EU.

In short, the BE licence allows more flexibility in trailer weights but requires a test. B96 is easier to obtain because it only requires a training course, but it offers less flexibility in the permitted combined weight.