Germany Truck Theory Study Guide (Class C) 2026

Lorry licence classes and requirements

Class	Vehicles	Minimum age
C1	Over 3,500 kg up to 7,500 kg; trailer up to 750 kg	18
C1E	C1 (or B) with a heavier trailer, combination up to 12,000 kg	18
C	Over 3,500 kg; trailer up to 750 kg	21, or 18 after the professional basic qualification
CE	C with a trailer over 750 kg	21, or 18 after the professional basic qualification

You must hold class B first (or get it at the same time).
You must give medical proof of fitness when you apply.
Lorry licences are issued for at most 5 years. To renew, show medical fitness and good enough eyesight. You can apply up to 6 months before expiry.

The class C theory test

Test	Questions	Error points allowed
Class C	37 (128 points)	Up to 10
Class C1 or CE as an extension	30 (105 points)	Up to 10

Each question is worth 2 to 5 points, and two wrong 5-point questions always mean a fail. You can take the test in German or one of 12 foreign languages, including English. Pass the practical test within 12 months.

Professional driver qualification

If you drive a lorry for work, you also need the professional driver basic qualification (Grundqualifikation). Its exams are taken at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). After that, you must complete 35 teaching units of periodic training every 5 years, in modules of at least 7 units.

Speed, distance and turning

Vehicle	Outside built-up areas	Motorway
Over 3.5 t up to 7.5 t	80 km/h	80 km/h
Over 7.5 t	60 km/h	80 km/h
Lorry over 3.5 t with trailer	60 km/h	80 km/h

In built-up areas the limit is 50 km/h. On motorways at more than 50 km/h, lorries over 3.5 t must keep at least 50 m from the vehicle ahead. On ordinary roads outside towns, leave enough room for overtaking vehicles to pull in.

When visibility is below 50 m, vehicles over 7.5 t may not overtake.
In snow or ice, or with visibility of 50 m or less, lorries over 7.5 t may not use the far-left lane of a motorway.
In built-up areas, vehicles over 3.5 t must turn right at walking speed where cyclists or pedestrians are expected.
Turning vehicles must let cyclists who go straight on pass first.
Heavy vehicles with winter tyres only on the driven axles and front steering axle must keep a distance in metres of at least half the speedometer reading and drive no faster than 50 km/h in wintry conditions.

No overtaking: you may not overtake motor vehicles here.

Sunday driving ban and parking

On Sundays and public holidays from 0:00 to 22:00, lorries over 7.5 t, and trailers behind lorries, may not carry goods commercially, including empty runs. Exemptions include fresh milk, fresh meat and fish, and perishable fruit and vegetables, as well as some combined rail and port transport.

Vehicles over 7.5 t and trailers over 2 t may not park regularly from 22:00 to 6:00, or on Sundays and holidays, in residential and similar zones in built-up areas, except in marked parking places.

Sizes, weights and loads

Limit	Value
Height with load	4.00 m
Width	2.55 m (2.60 m for insulated refrigerated bodies)
Length of a single lorry	12.00 m
Articulated lorry	15.50 m, or 16.50 m if the semi-trailer meets its part lengths
Lorry and trailer	18.75 m
Combination with more than 4 axles	40 t
Single axle / driven single axle	10 t / 11.5 t

Secure every load so it cannot slip, tip, roll or fall, even in emergency braking or a sudden swerve. A load may normally stick out 1.5 m at the back, or up to 3 m on trips of no more than 100 km. If it sticks out more than 1 m behind the rear reflectors, mark it with a light red flag or panel at least 30 x 30 cm.

Drivers' hours, tachograph and toll

EU rule	Limit
Daily driving	9 hours (10 hours twice a week)
Break	45 minutes after 4.5 hours (can be 15 + 30 minutes)
Weekly driving	56 hours
Two weeks in a row	90 hours
Daily rest	11 hours (9 hours up to 3 times a week)
Weekly rest	45 hours (24 hours every second week, with compensation)

Insert your personal driver card before you drive. Each driver holds only one valid card, and it stores your activities for at least 56 days.

The German lorry toll (Lkw-Maut) applies on motorways and federal roads to goods vehicles over 3.5 t. Buses are exempt, and so are vehicles under 7.5 t that carry a tradesperson's own tools or materials when it is not commercial transport.

Breakdowns

Vehicles over 3.5 t must carry a warning triangle and, separately, a yellow warning light, plus a warning vest. After a breakdown, switch on hazard lights and place the triangle about 100 m behind on fast roads.