The German Identity Card (German: Personalausweis, pronounced [pɛʁzoˈnaːlʔaʊ̯sˌvaɪ̯s] (listen)) is issued to German citizens by local registration offices in Germany and diplomatic missions abroad, while they are produced at the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. The German government began issuing a new model of its national identity card on August 2, 2021, in line with new European regulations. The identity card features a contactless chip that meets ICAO specifications, as well as several other innovative features that strengthen the card’s security.

According to the German law of obligation of identification, it is compulsory for everyone in Germany age 16 or older to possess either an identity card or a passport. While police officers and some other government officials have a right to demand to see one of these documents, the law does not stipulate that one is obliged to submit the document at that very moment.

As everyone in Germany must possess an ID card or a passport, acceptance of other official documents (like driving licences) as proof of identity is not guaranteed, especially for old driving licences with less security. Before 2013, German driving licences were issued without an expiration date, and only need to be replaced due to a 2006 EU directive. At the time of the last of the staggered deadlines, valid licenses may be over 80 years old

The current ID-1 type has been issued since November 2010. It contains an RFID chip similar to that in biometric passports. The chip stores the information given on the ID card (like name or date of birth), the holder’s picture (which, unlike the picture on older ID cards, has to be a biometric one), and, if the holder wishes so, also his/her fingerprints. In addition, the new ID card can be used for online authentication (such as for age verification or for e-government applications). An electronic signature, provided by a private company, can also be stored on the chip.

In Germany the driving licence (“Führerschein“) is a governmental privilege given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they desire. It is required for every type of motorised vehicle with the exception of the smallest mopeds below 50cm³, with a speed limit of 25km/h, as well as motorised bicycles (even for these, there is a minimum age of 15 years and a small mandatory driving school course). The types of licences one may obtain are the same in all the European Economic Area. See European driving licence. The minimum age to obtain a driving licence is: 16 years for a restricted motorcycle up to 125 cm³, 17 years for a car with a legal guardian, 18 years for unrestricted car and 21 years for buses and cargo vehicles.^[1] However, in most German states, it is possible to get a license for a small motorcycle up to 50cm³ and limited to 45 km/h at the age of 15.^[2] Certain vintage East German motorcycles with top speeds of up to 60 km/h may be ridden with this type of license, making them especially popular with young riders.

In Germany, the European driving license classes as defined in EU law are applied. In addition, however, there are national driving license classes that are only valid in Germany. The national driving license classes are printed on the driver’s license in italics.

Driving license class L[edit]

Prescribed speed sign 25 km/h according to StVZO § 58 for trailers on tractors of class L. With the driving license class L

• agricultural and forestry tractors up to 40 km/h maximum design speed (with trailer max. 25 km/h)
• self-propelled machines with a maximum design speed of up to 25 km/h
• Forklifts and other industrial trucks up to 25 km/h maximum design speed.

can be driven. Class L can be acquired at the age of 16. Furthermore, class L is included in the driving license classes B and T. The possession of the driving license class L entitles only to drive corresponding vehicles for agricultural and forestry purposes. If one of the above-mentioned vehicles is to be driven for other reasons (e.g. to exhibitions), a driving license corresponding to the total permissible mass of the vehicle (B, C1 or C, in the case of trailer operation BE, C1E or CE if applicable) must be held. The earmarking of class L applies only to driving licenses issued on or after January 1, 1999. If a driver’s license issued before this date has been transferred, the purpose limitation of class L is usually cancelled by entering the code number 174.

Driving license class T[edit]

With the driving license class T may

• agricultural and forestry tractors up to 60 km/h
• self-propelled machines or self-propelled feed mixers up to 40 km/h.

may be driven. Class T can be acquired at the age of 16. Furthermore, class T is included in driving license class CE or can be applied for additionally when exchanging a class 3 driving license, if necessary. The restriction to agricultural and forestry purposes (see class L) also applies to class T. The acquisition of the driving license class T includes the classes AM and L.