When a driver's license is acquired for the first time, it is issued on probation - with the exception of categories AM, L and T. The probationary period lasts two years from the date of issue. The probationary driving license is based on the idea of a "probationary period". During the probationary period, novice drivers are subject to special rules designed to counteract the high risk of accidents. However, the probationary driving license is not a "learner's license" or "beginner's license", as they sometimes exist abroad, but a fully-fledged driving license.

Attention: Since 01.08.2007, the so-called "0.0 per mille limit" applies to drivers of a motor vehicle during the probationary period or for motor vehicle drivers before the age of 21!

In the event of violations during the probationary period - the time of the offense is decisive - the driving license authority must take the following measures:

• Offense: One serious or two less serious offenses
  Measure: Order to attend an advanced training seminar
• Offence: After attending an advanced training seminar, another serious or two less serious offences
  Measure: Written warning combined with a recommendation to attend a traffic psychology consultation within two months
• Offence: After this period has expired, another serious offence or two less serious offences
  Measure: Withdrawal of driver's license

By law, the probationary period is extended by a further two years to four years as a result of the order to attend an advanced training seminar. The driving license authority must revoke the driver's license if the driver does not participate in an advanced training seminar. A new license can only be issued if you have attended an advanced training seminar.

If the driving license authority revokes the driving license after the preceding measures have been completed due to traffic violations, a new driving license may be issued after a waiting period of three months at the earliest. A new probationary period equivalent to the remaining duration of the previous probationary period (usually extended by 2 years) begins when the license is issued. In this case, the driving license authority must generally order the submission of an expert opinion from an officially recognized assessment centre for driving fitness as soon as the holder of a driving license has committed another serious or two less serious offences within the new probationary period.

We therefore recommend that novice drivers who commit traffic violations contact their driving license authority immediately and work together to find ways to help them keep their license.

Incidentally, the driving fitness assessment system also applies to novice drivers in parallel with the probationary period regulations.