If you drive goods or passenger transport for commercial purposes on public roads, you need a valid driving licence with the registered driving licence categories D1, D1E, D or DE (bus) or C1, C1E, C or CE (HGV). You must also provide proof of the initial qualification or further training.

You are obliged to take part in further training every five years. This comprises a training period of 35 hours of 60 minutes each. You should refresh and update your skills and knowledge, for example inthe following areas:

• Technology
• Road safety
• rational fuel consumption
• Driving and rest times
• Health

The obligation to undergo further training applies regardless of whether you have acquired the basic qualification by means of a possession status or an IHK examination. A possession status exists if you have obtained your drivingrlicence before the following dates:

• Driving licence category D1, D1E, D or DE (bus driving licences): before 10/09/2008
• Driving licence category C1, C1E, C or CE (HGV driving licences): before 10/09/2009

You will receive a driver qualification certificate as proof of initial qualification and regular further training.

Please note: Journeys for certain purposes are excluded. These include, for example

• Police vehicles, Fire brigade, Emergency rescue by recognised rescue services that carry out transport as part of their duties
• agricultural and forestry transport
• Craft businesses and small tradespeople transporting materials or equipment for professional purposes.
  Driving the motor vehicle must not be the main occupation.
• Unladen journeys, i.e Driving unloaded vehicles without goods or goods beingrpassengers