If you take part in "accompanied driving from 17", the minimum age for obtaining a category B and BE (passenger car) driving license is lowered to 17. Driving school training can be started earlier.
After successfully passing the driving test, the young novice driver receives a test certificate as proof of their driving license in Germany, which is valid for a maximum of three months after reaching the age of 18. However, they may only drive the car until their 18th birthday if accompanied by a person named on the test certificate. The accompanying person must meet certain requirements (see explanations under Requirements).
The accompanying person is the contact person for the young novice driver during the journey and should give advice and instructions if necessary. In this way, the novice driver should be able to gain their first experience on the road under the guidance of an experienced companion. However, the young novice driver is the responsible driver of the vehicle.
After reaching the age of 18, the young driver then receives (on application) the EU card driving license, which is valid throughout Europe.