First Aid Courses in Germany for Your Driving License
How to book an Erste-Hilfe course for a German driving license or a workplace certificate, including DRK, Malteser, Johanniter, and ASB.
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A German driving-license application often wants a first-aid certificate you do not have yet. The course is one long day, popular dates fill up, and waiting until the licensing-office appointment to book it is how people miss the six-month conversion window.
Germany calls it an Erste-Hilfe-Kurs: nine teaching units, CPR on a dummy, and a paper the Führerscheinstelle will accept. Some jobs ask for the same certificate (childcare, security, a few office and volunteer roles). English courses exist in some cities; look on the local branch site before you book.
For the conversion deadline and the rest of the license paperwork, see Driving License in Germany.
Who needs the certificate
Driving license. Many new applicants, and many people converting a non-EU license, need a completed first-aid course. Ask your local licensing office (Führerscheinstelle) whether yours is required. An easy-exchange country can still want the certificate even when it waives the driving test.
Work and volunteering. Childcare, security, and some office or volunteer roles want a current certificate. Check the job posting or ask your employer before you book, in case they only accept certain providers.
You can book it for yourself. The classroom is the same.
What the course looks like
The standard course is nine teaching units (Unterrichtseinheiten), usually in one day (about seven to nine hours including breaks). You stay for the full day. Leaving early usually means no certificate.
You practice chest compressions, the recovery position, and how to use an AED (Defibrillator). The certificate is often handed over the same day, or posted.
How to book
The main nationwide providers are non-profit and certified:
- DRK (German Red Cross)
- Malteser
- Johanniter
- ASB (Workers’ Samaritan Federation)
- Open the provider’s course finder (Kurstermine) and pick a date near you.
- Book several days ahead. Weekend slots go first.
- Bring ID and payment (fees vary; check the site before you go).
- Attend the full course.
- Keep the certificate with your license documents.
If you need the course in English, check the local branch page or call before you pay. City-centre DRK and Malteser branches are the usual place to start.
If you are converting a license, put this booking on the same list as your eye test and photos. The six-month clock does not pause while you wait for a Saturday slot.
For 112, 110, and 116 117, and what to say on the call, see Emergency Services in Germany.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. While we endeavour to ensure the information is accurate and current, we provide no guarantee, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the content. Users act solely at their own risk. For binding decisions, please consult with the relevant municipal authorities or a qualified legal professional.