Germany · Class B theory test
German driving theory test pass mark: how the 10 error points work
30 questions, 110 points, up to 10 error points. Two wrong 5-point questions is a fail, even at exactly 10.
To pass the German class B theory test you must answer 30 questions worth 110 points with no more than 10 error points [1]. Each question is worth 2 to 5 points. There is one extra rule: if you get two 5-point questions wrong, you fail, even though that adds up to exactly 10 [1][2]. So you can get as many as 5 questions wrong and pass, or fail with only 2.
The format of the German theory test
- First licence, class B: 30 questions, 110 points, up to 10 error points [1]. TÜV NORD describes it as 20 basic questions and 10 car questions [2].
- Adding class B to a licence you already hold (for example class A): 20 questions, 72 points, up to 6 error points [1].
- Video questions: up to 3 of the 30 questions are short videos, which you can play up to 5 times before you answer [2].
- Language: you can take the test in English and in about a dozen other languages, including Arabic, French, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Turkish [2].
Pass or fail: seven scenarios
Each line is a set of wrong answers in a first class B test, with the value of each question.
| Wrong answers (points) | Questions wrong | Error points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 + 3 + 2 | 3 | 10 | Pass: within 10 points |
| 4 + 3 + 3 | 3 | 10 | Pass: within 10 points |
| 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 | 5 | 10 | Pass: within 10 points |
| 5 + 5 | 2 | 10 | Fail: two 5-point questions wrong |
| 5 + 4 + 2 | 3 | 11 | Fail: 11 points, over 10 |
| 4 + 4 + 3 | 3 | 11 | Fail: 11 points, over 10 |
| 3 + 3 + 3 + 2 | 4 | 11 | Fail: 11 points, over 10 |
The best case is five wrong answers, all worth 2 points. The worst case is two wrong answers, both worth 5. Without two 5-pointers, three wrong answers are already enough to fail if they are heavy ones, such as 4 + 4 + 3.
Train on the 5-point topics. The book covers right of way, distances, hazards and the other rules behind the 5-point questions, with 400 original practice questions and 5 full mock tests in English: Pass the German Driving Theory Exam in English 2027.
What 10 error points means as a score
Ten error points out of 110 is a pass mark of about 90.9%. That sounds generous, but the two-five rule makes it stricter than a plain percentage: one 5-point mistake leaves you only 5 points of margin for the 29 other questions, and no room at all for a second 5-pointer.
The trap: treating a 5-point question like any other. After one 5-point error, any second 5-point error ends the test, whatever the rest of your score. Slow down on every question about right of way, distances and dangerous situations, the topics TÜV NORD flags as typical 5-pointers [2].
If you already hold a licence
When class B is an extension of a licence you already have, the test is shorter and the margin tighter: 6 error points on 20 questions [1]. Then at most 3 wrong answers can pass (three 2-pointers), and two can already fail, for example 5 + 2 or 4 + 3.
Fee, retake and how long a pass lasts
- Fee: €24.99 at TÜV NORD for all classes [2]. Your driving school may add its own registration charges.
- Retake: if you fail, you can sit the test again after 14 days at the earliest [2].
- Validity: after a pass, you have 12 months to pass the practical test [2].
Frequently asked questions
How many questions can I get wrong in the German theory test?
It depends on their value. With all mistakes on 2-point questions, up to 5 wrong answers still pass. With two 5-point mistakes, two wrong answers fail [1].
Is 10 error points a pass?
Yes, 10 is the limit and still passes, unless the 10 points come from two wrong 5-point questions [1].
Can I take the German driving theory test in English?
Yes. English is one of the foreign languages offered at the test centre, alongside Arabic, French, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and others [2].
How long do I have to wait after failing?
At least 14 days before you can sit the theory test again [2].
The book
Pass the German Driving Theory Exam in English 2027
400 practice questions and 5 mock tests for the class B theory test, with explanations of the road rules, signs, fines and points. Chapter 2 covers the test format, the points and the method; the appendices give the key numbers and the German terms you will meet.
Ebook. Also on other Apple Books and Google Play Books stores.
Sources
- Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV), Anlage 7, Teil 1, points 1.2.2 and 1.2.3 (number of questions, points and permitted error points; pass rule).
- TÜV NORD, « Theoretische Führerscheinprüfung » (format, error points, languages, fee, retake, video questions), consulted 7 November 2026.
Figures checked on 7 November 2026. Independent guide: not produced or approved by TÜV, DEKRA or any authority. Always check with your driving school or test centre before the test.