Automatic or manual: which driving licence suits you?

• Class B, test in a manual car: afterwards you may drive manual and automatic cars.
• Class B, test in an automatic: you may usually only drive automatics. This is then noted as a code number on your licence.
• B197: practical test in an automatic. With proven manual-gearbox skills you may later drive manual cars too.

In addition to the normal training the following applies:

• Theory: 14 double lessons of 90 minutes each (12 basic + 2 for class B)
• Practice: 12 special drives of 45 minutes each — 5 on rural roads, 4 on the motorway, 3 at dusk/in the dark
• On top of that come practice lessons as needed — after your first drives we will tell you honestly how many
• For the manual-gearbox qualification, additionally: at least 10 driving lessons of 45 minutes in a manual car and a 15-minute proof drive with the driving instructor

As of 2026, according to the German driving-student training regulation (FahrschAusbO), without guarantee.

Registration, app and driving lessons cost the same for B, BF17 and B197: registration €349, learning app €50, driving lesson €65. Exam presentation (€250) and first aid (€50) are separate items, and you pay the TÜV fees externally.

How many lessons you need in total, we will tell you honestly after your first drives. Work out your own scenario in the cost calculator.

• You want to be able to drive any car later, for example a rental or company car with a manual gearbox: take the test in a manual car or choose B197.
• You will only ever drive automatics, for example an electric car: a test in an automatic is enough.
• You want to keep both options open: B197 combines the test in an automatic with the option to drive manual cars later.

Not sure? Tell us when you register what you want, or ask us beforehand in person. We will advise you honestly.

Write to us or call. After a request we usually get back to you within 24 hours.

Prices come from our current course prices and change automatically when we adjust them.