Bundesportal | Applying for a train driver's license

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Publisher

Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV)

Last update or date of publication

March 17, 2026

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

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To be allowed to drive a traction unit, you need

a successfully completed examination to become a train driver
a valid train driver's license, which you apply for at the Federal Railway Authority (EBA)
an additional certificate specifying which operating procedures, train control systems and signaling systems you may use to drive which vehicles on public railroads (infrastructure)

The train driver's license

has a standardized European model
allows you to drive a traction unit in Germany and throughout Europe

Optionally, you can apply for a temporary train driver's license for 6 weeks for an additional fee.

If your train driver's license has expired, you can also extend it via the EBA.

Your data such as address or name or
your health suitability (e.g. hearing aid, visual aid)

change, please notify the EBA.

If you have lost, stolen or destroyed your driver's license, you must apply to the EBA for a replacement at a charge.

Valid identity card (front and back) or a copy of a valid passport
Current biometric photo (not older than 1 year) and signature
Proof of your school-leaving certificate (e.g. copy of your school-leaving certificate)
Certificate of medical fitness in accordance with the German Train Driving License Ordinance (TfV)
Certificate of psychological aptitude in accordance with the TfV
- if you are under 20 years of age and at least 18 years old, the certificate must contain the statement "Suitable as a train driver for use under 20 years of age"
Examination certificate
Certificate of completion from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce as a railwayman or railwaywoman in operational service, specializing in locomotive driver and transport (EiB L/T)

If the information on your train driver's license has changed and you wish to update it:

Valid identity card (front and back) or a copy of a valid passport
Current biometric photo and signature
Proof of the data to be changed, for example
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of mandatory use of glasses or a hearing aid
- Registration certificate with new address
If applicable, current proof of health suitability and specialist knowledge
Copy of the previous driver's license

If you are applying for a replacement following the loss, theft or destruction of your driver's license

Valid identity card (front and back) or a copy of a valid passport
Current biometric photo and signature
Loss report, theft report or destroyed driver's license
If applicable, current proof of medical fitness and specialist knowledge

If you wish to renew your driver's license

Valid identity card (front and back) or a copy of a valid passport
Current biometric photo and signature
If applicable, current proof of health suitability and specialist knowledge
Copy of the previous train driver's license

Railroad companies often submit the application for their train drivers. In this case, the companies require a power of attorney from you.

Application for a train driver's license

Label

Preconditions

You are
- at least 20 years old or
- at least 18 years old and in possession of a psychological certificate in accordance with the Train Driver's License Ordinance (TfV) stating "Suitable as a train driver for use under the age of 20".
You have
- successfully passed an examination in accordance with the TfV or
- completed your training as a railwayman or railwaywoman in operational service, specializing in locomotive driving and transport.
You have:
- a one-off certificate of psychological aptitude (for initial application),
- a certificate of medical fitness every 3 years or
- from the age of 55, an annual certificate of medical fitness and
- regular verification of general professional knowledge.
You are reliable.

Hints

The train driver's license alone does not entitle you to drive a vehicle. An additional certificate is required for this. Railroad companies issue these.
If the Federal Railway Authority rejects your application, you will also incur costs. These are calculated according to the time and effort involved in the inspection. You will receive a fee notice by post.

Applying for, renewing, changing or replacing a train driver's license
Fee
150.00 EUR
Advance payment
no
Apply for a provisional train driver's license retrospectively
Fee
25.00 EUR
Advance payment
no
Apply for a train driver's license, including a provisional train driver's license
Fee
175.00 EUR
Advance payment
no

Basis for legal action

Verordnung über die theoretische Prüfung für den Erwerb des Triebfahrzeugführerscheins (Triebfahrzeugführerschein-Prüfungsverordnung - TfPV)

§ 8 Verordnung über die Erteilung der Fahrberechtigung an Triebfahrzeugführer sowie die Anerkennung von Personen und Stellen für Ausbildung und Prüfung (Triebfahrzeugführerscheinverordnung - TfV)

Legal Remedies

Appeal if the application is rejected

Detailed information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification.

Cancellation of the application

If the procedure is still ongoing, you can withdraw your application at any time.

Procedure

You can apply for a train driver's license from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) online or by post.

If you apply online:

Go to the federal portal and complete the online application.
You will need a BundID or the ELSTER company account for this.
You can upload your documents directly:
- as original electronic documents
- as officially certified electronic copies
Alternatively, you can submit officially certified paper copies by post or email.
The EBA will check your application and contact you if there are any queries or if it requires further documents from you.
Once your application has been successfully reviewed, you will receive a fee notification by post.
Transfer the fee to the federal treasury.
You will receive your train driver's license by post from the Bundesdruckerei.
If you have applied for a provisional train driver's license, you will receive it by e-mail.

If you are applying by post:

Download the form "Application for a train driver's license" from the EBA website.
You can either
- fill it out directly in your browser or
- download it and then fill it out digitally or
- print it out and fill it in by hand.
Print out the form, if you have not already done so, and sign it.
Send the form with all the necessary documents to the EBA.
- Make sure that the documents are not stapled or stapled and remove any existing staples, as the application will be scanned.
- Submit all documents in DIN A4 size only.
The EBA will check your application and contact you if there are any queries or if it requires further documents from you.
Once your application has been successfully checked, you will receive a fee notification by post.
Transfer the fee to the federal treasury.
You will receive your train driver's license by post from the Bundesdruckerei.
If you have applied for a provisional train driver's license, you will receive this in advance by e-mail.

Deadlines

Period of validity
10 years

Processing time

1 month
The processing time will be extended if you submit the necessary documents at a later date.