The German theory test in English in Berlin: everything you need to know

Can you take the theory test in English?

Yes. The theory test is offered in 13 languages: German, English, French, Greek, Standard Arabic, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. The foreign-language versions use official translations of the same question catalogue, so the English test is not easier or harder than the German one.

In Berlin the tests are run by two organisations, TÜV Rheinland and DEKRA, with the same rules at both. You pick your test centre when you apply for your licence, and you cannot change it after the exam approval.

Who needs the theory test?

• Everyone learning from zero. You also need the mandatory theory classes at a driving school first: at least 12 double lessons (90 minutes) of general content plus the class B lessons.
• People converting a licence from a non-Anlage 11 country (for example India, Turkey, Brazil, Russia): theory and practical test, but no mandatory theory classes.
• Licences from some US states: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon and Tennessee need the theory test only, no practical test.
• Not needed: EU/EEA licences and most Anlage 11 countries (UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, many US states, Ukraine since August 2026).

Check your case in our guide to converting a foreign licence in Berlin.

How booking works, step by step

1. Sign up with a driving school. You need one for the practical test anyway, and LABO asks for the name of your school and test centre in the application. Find one with our list of English-speaking driving schools.
2. Apply for the licence at a Bürgeramt (appointment via service.berlin.de). You need ID, a biometric photo, eye test and first aid certificates (for a first licence or a non-Anlage 11 conversion), and your registered main address in Berlin.
3. LABO checks your application and sends the exam approval (Prüfauftrag) electronically to TÜV or DEKRA. This takes several weeks, LABO publishes current processing times on its website.
4. Your school confirms you are ready (for learners from zero: after the mandatory theory classes) and registers you for a date. Tell them you want the test in English.
5. On test day bring your ID card or passport. The test is taken on a computer at the test centre.

The exam approval is valid for one year. Once you pass the theory test, you have 12 months to pass the practical test.

The format: questions, points, time

Each question is worth 2 to 5 points depending on how important it is for safety. Questions on right of way and dangerous situations are often worth 5 points, so those are the ones you cannot afford to get wrong.

What it costs

School prices from Fahrwahl data (Berlin, October 2026). The test fee is set nationally, see our full cost breakdown for the whole licence.

Learning apps in English

The question catalogue has more than 1,100 questions, and new questions are added regularly. Learn with an app that uses the official TÜV/DEKRA questions and their official English translation. Two examples from the App Store (October 2026):

• Führerschein ClickClickDrive: official question catalogue, English and the other official test languages, can read questions aloud. Free download, subscription for unlimited mock tests (for example $7.99 for 7 days).
• Führerschein 2026 GOLD (theorie24): official licence partner of TÜV and DEKRA, all questions in English, app interface in German and English. One-time purchase.

Many driving schools give you access to a learning app as part of their learning material, so ask before you buy one yourself. Check that the app lets you switch the question language to English.

Tips to pass the first time

• Do mock tests until you pass several in a row with clear margin, not just once.
• Focus on 5-point questions: right of way, priority signs, overtaking, behaviour at level crossings and with trams.
• Read every answer. Many questions have more than one correct answer, and you only get the points if you tick all correct ones and no wrong one.
• Learn German sign texts anyway. Signs and supplementary plates are in German on the road, and in the practical test.
• Do not rush to the test. In Berlin, 52% of class B theory tests were failed in 2023 (TÜV-Verband data). Most people fail from too little practice, not bad luck.
• Take the test soon after you are ready. Waiting weeks after your last mock test means forgetting details.

Changes planned for 2027

The federal cabinet approved a driving licence reform in May 2026. Among other things, it plans to cut the question catalogue by about a third and to drop the requirement for in-person theory classes, so theory could be learned fully digitally. The reform is targeted for early 2027 and still needs approval in parliament. As of October 2026, the current rules described in this article apply. If you are ready now, there is no reason to wait.

New to all of this? Start with our complete guide for expats.

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