Reform Takes Effect on August 18
Germany has implemented the first amendment to its Professional Driver Qualification Regulation and other road transport legislation. The regulation was published on August 17, 2026, with its main provisions taking effect the following day, according to the official Federal Law Gazette.
The changes cover qualification examinations, the recognition of foreign driving licences, eyesight checks and documentary proof required for commercial driving. The reform is particularly relevant to transport companies recruiting drivers from outside the European Union.
Exam Offered in Ukrainian and Eight Other Languages
The accelerated initial qualification examination may now be taken in German or nine foreign languages:
- Albanian;
- English;
- Modern Standard Arabic;
- Croatian;
- Polish;
- Romanian;
- Russian;
- Turkish;
- Ukrainian.
The examination content and professional standards remain unchanged. The multilingual option applies specifically to the theoretical accelerated initial qualification examination and does not make every driving-related examination available in foreign languages.
Legal recognition of a language does not necessarily mean that every local chamber of commerce, or IHK, can immediately provide the examination in that language. IHK Ostwürttemberg, for example, said additional preparation would be required for Albanian-language materials.
Practical Examination Shortened by 90 Minutes
The change in examination duration requires a precise distinction. The driving component of the regular initial qualification examination has been shortened from 120 to 90 minutes. A separate 30-minute practical component remains, while the section on managing critical situations, which could take up to 60 minutes, has been removed.
The maximum total duration of the practical examination therefore falls from 210 to 120 minutes. This does not apply to the accelerated initial qualification examination, which is theoretical.
Before taking the accelerated examination, candidates must provide the responsible IHK with evidence that they completed the required training. Drivers moving from freight to passenger transport, or in the opposite direction, may take only the parts relevant to the new activity if they can document their existing qualification.
Ukrainian Licences Can Be Exchanged Without Tests
Ukraine and Montenegro have been added to Annex 11 of Germany’s Driving Licence Regulation. Ukrainian licences in categories A1, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE can now be exchanged for German licences under the prescribed procedure without retaking theory and practical tests.
Applicants for heavy-vehicle categories must still meet the relevant medical and eyesight requirements. If a Ukrainian category C or D licence was issued without the holder first obtaining category B, theory and practical tests will be required to receive the German category B licence.
Exchanging a licence does not automatically establish professional driver qualification. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport stresses that a Ukrainian driving licence alone is insufficient for commercial operations covered by professional driver qualification legislation.
Opticians May Conduct Eyesight Checks
The original information refers to an authorised ophthalmologist, but the actual amendment is different. Eyesight examinations for categories C, C1, CE, C1E, D, D1, DE and D1E may now also be conducted and certified by a qualifying optician business, known in German as an Augenoptikerbetrieb.
Ophthalmologists, occupational physicians and other authorised doctors were already included in the regulation. The medical standard has not been reduced; only the range of authorised examination providers has been expanded.
Code 95 Will Not Be Added Directly to the Driving Licence
Another important correction concerns code 95. Under the new provision, it may be entered upon application in the “Special Remarks” field of the driver attestation used in international road freight operations. The amendment does not reintroduce code 95 directly into the German driving licence.
If a separate paper document is unavailable, the qualification may be verified through the Professional Driver Qualification Register. Germany’s separate Driver Qualification Card, or Fahrerqualifizierungsnachweis, remains the principal document used to confirm professional qualification.
For carriers, the reform reduces some linguistic and administrative obstacles but does not remove the need to verify employment authorisation, the correct driving licence category, medical fitness and professional qualification.
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