In Germany, a professional driver is a person who has received specific vocational training, has relevant experience, and holds the necessary licenses. To be able to carry out city, intercity, and international freight and passenger transport, the following conditions must be met:

Required Licenses

C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1E License Classes: These licenses allow the operation of various commercial vehicles. C-class licenses are required for trucks and heavy vehicles, while D-class licenses are necessary for buses and passenger transport. Special Conditions: Individuals who obtained D1, D1E, D, DE licenses before September 10, 2008, or C1, C1E, C, CE licenses before September 10, 2009, are considered as having basic qualifications.

Vocational Training and Certifications

IHK Card (Industrie- und Handelskammer Karte): This card proves that the individual has completed the necessary vocational qualifications and training to work as a professional driver in Germany. Driver Card (Fahrkarte): This card authorizes the use of digital tachograph devices. Drivers use this card to record driving and rest times. Additional Documents

SRC Certificates: Vocational qualification certificates obtained from Turkey may be valid in Germany but need to be converted to the IHK card. KOD95: The KOD95 certificate from European countries also needs to be converted into the IHK card in Germany. Tachograph Authorization Certificate: Professional drivers must possess this certificate to use the digital tachograph. Health and Physical Fitness

Professional drivers must undergo regular health checks and ensure they meet the physical demands of this challenging profession.

Professional Ethics and Standards

Professional drivers must comply with traffic rules, apply safe driving techniques, and ensure customer satisfaction. They should also adhere to professional ethical standards.

Language Requirement

Freight Drivers: No language requirement is specified. Passenger Transport Drivers: A B1 level language proficiency may be required.

Visa Extension

If arriving in Germany on a work visa or transitioning from refugee status to migration law, the visa can be granted for up to 15 months until the German license is obtained. In certain cases, it may be extended for up to six months with approval.

Fields of Employment

• Freight transportation companies (e.g., transport companies)

• Passenger transport companies (e.g., public transportation or bus tour companies)

• Postal and courier services

• Construction excavation work

Age and Salary Criteria

Over 45 Years Old:

• Annual salary must be at least €53,130 gross. This corresponds to a monthly gross salary of €4,427.50.

• If your salary is lower, you must supplement it with income from sources such as retirement or rent in Turkey to reach the gross amount of €4,427.50.

Under 45 Years Old:

• Minimum Salary: €2,397.00

• Average Salary: €2,797.00

• Maximum Salary: €3,319.00 These salaries are the average across Germany; however, they can vary by state, language level, professional experience, and the length of the route. For families planning to move, the salary should be sufficient to support them. For instance, in the NRW state, in Duisburg, a family of four may need an average gross salary of €2,900.00, which corresponds to a net salary of €2,000.00. This would leave a net cash of €1,200.00 after rent, meaning the maximum rent should be around €800.00 per month.

Requirements for Professional Drivers to Come to Germany

Professional drivers need a job contract and an employer’s declaration (EZB) to come to Germany or to benefit from the new migration law after withdrawing their asylum application.

Legal Provisions and Regulations for Professional Drivers

German Residence Law: Sections 81a and 19c 2 Employment Regulation: Section 24A Residence Law § 19c Other Employment Purposes

Skilled Worker Employment: Foreign nationals with strong practical vocational knowledge can be granted a residence permit to work in a qualified job. Public Interest: Foreign nationals employed in roles with a public benefit can receive a residence permit. Public Service Relation: A residence permit is granted for official duties in a federal region.

Residence Law 81a

Employers can apply to the responsible immigration office for the skilled worker procedure.

Employment Regulation

Article 24a: Foreign nationals may be allowed to work as professional drivers in road transportation or passenger transport via buses and coaches.

License and Qualifications

The necessary licenses and qualifications to work as a professional driver are defined by the License Regulation (FeV), the Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), and the Professional Driver Qualification Regulation (BKrFQV).

iDATA Application Code

25F: Professional Motor Vehicle Driver under § 24a BeschV Employment Regulation

Over 45 Years Old: As of 2024, the gross annual income must be €53,130.00.

Notes

• Adhering to professional ethics and standards, applying safe driving techniques, and ensuring customer satisfaction are essential.

• Regular health checks and maintaining physical fitness are necessary.

• Language level, working field, and experience are important factors affecting salary.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is comprehensive and accurate for becoming a professional driver in Germany. Please carefully review your situation and ensure that all necessary documents and conditions are fully met. Responsibility for the results of actions taken based on this information is not accepted.

The articles published on this site are owned by our site and cannot be used, reproduced, or published without permission and proper citation. Additionally, it does not contain legal responsibility, and we do not accept responsibility for the outcomes of actions taken based on this information. For legal protection, please contact a law office or reach out to us.