Driving license for driving with a trailer: Different classes and what they mean
In Germany there are many different license classes, among these are also some that regulate and influence driving with a trailer. We had a look at the different licenses and summarized the key data for you. A distinction is made between the driving license class 3, class B, class B96 and class BE.
The driving license class 3
This certificate is already older and has been replaced by the class B. Thus it is old, it is not invalid and confirmes the permission for its owners to drive a car up to 3.5 tons total weight. In addition, the Class 3 license also allows you to drive trucks of up to 7.5 tonnes overall weight and three-axe trailers of up to 12 tonnes total weight (as long as the towing vehicle is not heavier than 7.5 tonnes). This means that combinations of up to 3.5 tons can be driven. Also included in the Class 3 license are motorcycles, trikes and agricultural tractors up to 40 km/h.
Your options in driving with a trailer when owning a driving license class B
If you have a class B license, you can drive up to 3.5 tonnes. Exceptions are motorcycles, which fall under the driving license classes AM, A1, A2 and A. In addition, the addressed motor vehicles may not have more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat. When driving with a trailer, the category B driving license allows to tow trailers with a total mass of a maximum of 750 kg, or a maximum authorized mass of more than 750 kg, provided the maximum permissible mass of car and trailer does not exceed the value of 3500 kg.
The driving license class B96
This driver’s license is a supplement to the class B and is therefore also noted in the driver’s license. If you have this extension, it is allowed to drive trailers with a total weight of more than 750 kg. In addition, the permissible total weight of the combination of vehicle and trailer, which you may tow, increases. Namely, the permissible total weight of the class B96 billet may then be between 3500 kg and 4250 kg.
Driving with the driving license class BE
If you have a driving license class BE, then you are as flexible as possible when driving with the trailer. This is a combination of the class B and the permission to drive with trailer. The maximum permissible weight of the trailer may be up to 3.5 tonnes. So this is the driver’s license with which you can pull the heaviest trailer.
