What is BF17?
With BF17 you can drive a car from 17 – but with an accompanying driver. You gain real practice early, become more confident and start driving on your own at 18 much more relaxed.
Driving licence info
BF17, B197, B196, the process from application to exam, learning tips and help with test anxiety:
Here you’ll find everything explained compactly, clearly and in a practical way.
Understand fast. Plan smart. Pass with confidence.
Accompanied driving from 17
Benefits, rules, accompanying drivers
B197 – modern & relaxed
Automatic exam – then drive anything
B196 – freedom with Class B
125cc without a TÜV exam
Other licence categories
Motorcycles, trailers, conversion
Process & lessons
From application to exam
Learn effectively
Theory, apps, strategy
Choosing the right driving school
Spot quality, avoid mistakes
Test anxiety
Stay calm, drive safely
Why Fahrschule Aschmann
Vehicles, team, process
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 proven start for young drivers
What can you drive?
- Cars up to 3,500 kg (with accompanying driver)
- M, L and moped also without an accompanying driver
Until 18 you receive a BF17 driving permit (not yet the final card licence).
Accompanying drivers
- At least 30 years old
- Class B held for 5 years
- Max. 1 point in Flensburg
Accompanying drivers may advise and give tips – they may not intervene.
Driving without an accompanying driver
- A fine & a point in Flensburg are possible
- Your BF17 authorisation may be revoked
Then you may not drive until your 18th birthday.
B197 – the modern way to learn driving
What is B197?
You take the practical test in an automatic – and afterwards you may still drive any manual car.
Automatic exam – then drive anything.
Full Class B, but with much less test stress.
Training is mixed: you learn automatic and manual,
but the test is only in an automatic.
Why B197?
- Relaxed test in an automatic
- No restriction on your licence
- Modern & safe training
- Ideal for everyday life, family car & work
Requirements
- At least 10 lessons in a manual car
- Internal manual-competence check (not TÜV!)
- Entry via the driving school & licensing authority
The TÜV exam is taken exclusively in an automatic.
B196 – ride a 125cc with your Class B licence
What is B196?
Ride a 125cc with your regular Class B licence – without a TÜV exam. Just a short course at the driving school and you get the endorsement.
Requirements for B196
- 25 years or older
- 5 years holding Class B
- Training in theory & practice
No theory or practical exam required
What can you drive?
- Light motorcycles up to 125 cc / 11 kW
- Many models go over 100 km/h
- Ideal for city, countryside & commuters
Why B196?
- No TÜV exam
- Motorcycle feel without long training
- Affordable to run and flexible day to day
What are the drawbacks of B196?
- Valid only in Germany
- No direct upgrade to A classes
- Minimum age 25
- Shorter training than a “full” motorcycle class
- Not suitable for riding abroad
- Not a separate licence, but an extension
B96 – trailer extension
What is B96?
B96 extends Class B for larger trailer combinations. You receive code 96 after a compact course – no additional TÜV exam.
Which combination is allowed?
- Class B towing vehicle + trailer
- Total combined mass up to 4,250 kg
- Ideal for caravans, horse trailers, boat trailers
How does the training work?
- Practical training (manoeuvring, coupling and uncoupling)
- Driving in city/country traffic with a trailer
- Important rules on load securing & outfit length
When does BE make sense?
If you regularly tow heavier trailers or need more margin, BE is often the better option. We’ll gladly advise what really fits your trailer.
Class B & B78 – car
Class B
The classic car licence. We guide you step by step from application to exam – without stress.
B78 – automatic-only restriction
With B78 the practical test is taken in an automatic. Afterwards you may only drive automatic vehicles. If you want to drive manual cars later, B197 is often the better choice.
Tip
Not sure what’s best for you (B, B78 or B197)? Tell us how you plan to drive later – we’ll recommend the best option.
Class BE – trailer (large)
When do you need BE?
If you regularly want to tow heavy trailers safely and need more margin.
Practical focus
- Manoeuvring, reversing around a corner
- Coupling/uncoupling, checks
- Driving with a trailer (city/rural)
Exam
BE usually includes a practical test. We prepare you step by step.
Conversion
What does “conversion” mean?
If you already have a licence from another country, a conversion may be necessary.
How does it work?
- Check documents & submit application
- Depending on origin: theory and/or practical
- Targeted preparation instead of “collecting hours”
Tip
Bring your licence and any documents you have – we’ll tell you straight away what’s needed.
Class A – motorcycle (unrestricted)
What is Class A for?
With Class A you may ride motorcycles without power restriction – also with sidecar.
Access routes
- Direct entry (depending on age)
- Upgrade from A2 to A (after holding period)
Practical content
- Basic riding exercises (slalom, evasive manoeuvre, braking)
- Safe cornering, vision technique
- Rural roads & city – practical training
A80 – Class A with code 80
What does A80 mean?
With A80 you can obtain Class A from age 21. Until your 24th birthday you are restricted to A2 (35 kW) – afterwards it automatically becomes unrestricted Class A without another test. Training and test are the same as Class A; code 80 saves you the later upgrade.
Benefit
You save yourself an additional upgrade test later when the restriction ends.
Important
Which option fits you depends on age and what you already hold – we’ll explain it in the first consultation.
Class A2 – motorcycle up to 35 kW
In short
A2 is the popular power-limited motorcycle class – ideal as a start.
Typical topics
- Balance, slow riding, vision
- Emergency braking & swerving
- Building safe cornering lines & lean angle
Upgrade to A
After the required holding period, upgrading to Class A is possible.
Class A1 – 125cc
In short
With A1 you ride light motorcycles up to 125 cc – perfect for everyday use and city riding.
Focus
- Basic exercises & safe braking
- Traffic observation & vision technique
- Riding in the city and on rural roads
Outlook
Later upgrade to A2 and A is possible.
Class AM – scooter/moped
In short
AM is the classic entry into two-wheelers – for scooters and mopeds (depending on vehicle type).
What you learn
- Starting off, braking, cornering
- Recognise hazards & ride defensively
- Practice in real traffic
Tip
Especially at the start, solid basics pay off – we practise without stress.
Mofa – certificate
In short
Mofa is the entry for 25 km/h – with lessons and a certificate.
Contents
- Basic rules & road signs
- Practical exercises (braking, cornering, starting)
- Safe behaviour in traffic
Note
Depending on your situation, we’ll explain which documents you need.
Your path to your 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 form
Theory
- 6 or 12 double lessons of core material
- 2 or 4 double lessons class-specific
- Theory exam
Practical
The number of practice lessons is individual and depends on your progress, prior experience and concentration. We plan transparently – and tell you honestly where you stand.
- 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
Very exam-focused and structured – you quickly see where you stand.
Option 2 – ADAC app
Solid start – but usually less in-depth than professional learning systems.
- Good for getting started
- Less exam-focused
Option 3 – cheap apps
- Often incomplete
- Higher risk due to gaps
Choosing the right driving school
How do you recognise quality?
- Modern vehicles
- Clear & transparent processes
- Patient, professional instructors
- Good organisation & consistent contacts
- A good learning system
Why not choose only the cheapest price?
- Very cheap can look good at first – in the end, structure & quality matter
- Good training often saves time, nerves and detours
- Important: transparency instead of surprises
- Training also in foreign languages
What should you check?
- Attend a theory lesson
- Look at vehicles & facilities
- 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?
Test anxiety – relaxed into the exam
No tricks
- Examiners don’t set traps
- It’s about safe, calm driving
- Mistakes are normal – perfection isn’t required
Keep calm
- Arrive rested & on time
- Less pressure: don’t tell everyone the date
- Come alone – without a “fan club”
- If possible take the day off (school/work)
What really helps
- Drive like in your lessons – calm & safe
- No sedatives
- Drink enough & eat normally
- Caffeine only if you’re used to it
Don’t expect perfection
No one expects you to drive perfectly. Drive like in your last lessons. Overdoing mirror-checks or driving extremely slowly can create new mistakes instead of safety.
Most people become truly good drivers only after many thousands of kilometres.
Why Fahrschule Aschmann
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
- Communication via modern channels
Clear, fair processes
- Transparent steps from start to exam
- You always know what comes next
- No hidden costs
- Flexible meeting points
Strong preparation
- Realistic preparation
- Focus on TÜV-relevant content
- Many pass on the first try