Young drivers

Car insurance for young and new drivers in Germany: SF class and ways to save

SF class, parents’ second car, BF17 and named drivers — enter the overnight PLZ below for matched offers.

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Why new drivers pay more

Insurers price risk using statistics, and drivers with little experience are involved in accidents more often. New drivers therefore start in a low SF class with a high percentage rate. "New driver" is not only about age: what matters most is how long you have held a licence and whether you have ever insured a car in your own name. With every claim-free year, the rate comes down step by step.

Which SF class do new drivers start in?

Your first classification depends mainly on how long you have held your licence:

SF 0: the usual starting class if you have held a licence for less than three years.
SF ½: a common special class if you have held a licence for at least three years but have never insured a car of your own (sometimes called the Führerscheinregelung, or licence rule).

This is not a legal rule but a matter of each insurer's terms: some rate a shorter licence history more favourably, others are stricter. The rates typically attached to SF 0 and SF ½ are shown in our guide to SF class and the no-claims discount.

Option 1: be a named driver on your parents' policy

You share your parents' car and are added to their policy as a driver. This is usually cheaper than a policy of your own, but it can raise your parents' premium, and you normally do not build up claim-free years of your own this way.

Option 2: insure your car as your parents' second car

Your car is registered to one parent and insured as a second car. Many insurers give second cars a better starting class than a car with no history. According to the German consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale), new drivers usually pay considerably less this way. The conditions vary by insurer – for example regarding the first car's SF class or the drivers' ages – and you must be declared truthfully as a driver.

The long-term benefit: after a few claim-free years, the no-claims history of that policy can, under certain conditions, be transferred to you.

Option 3: take over a family member's no-claims discount

Parents or grandparents who give up driving may be able to transfer their claim-free years to you. Typically:

You can only take over as many claim-free years as you could have built up yourself, given how long you have held a licence.
The person giving up the discount usually loses it.
According to the ADAC, the previous policy must not have ended more than ten years ago, and the transfer covers liability and fully comprehensive insurance.

Ask the new insurer to confirm in writing which years it will recognise before you go ahead.

Accompanied driving from 17 (BF17)

If you took part in Germany's accompanied driving scheme from age 17 (Begleitetes Fahren ab 17), you gained early experience and will often have held a licence for longer by the time you take out your first policy. Some insurers take this into account. Ask about it directly and give your licence date accurately.

Licence from abroad?

If you obtained your licence outside Germany, German law counts the time since you obtained it towards the two-year probation period. Some insurers may also recognise claim-free years with a foreign insurer if you can provide a written certificate. Our guide to car insurance for expats explains what to prepare.

More ways to lower the premium

Choose a car with a low type class: smaller cars with moderate engines and affordable repairs are often cheaper to insure.
Keep the named-driver list realistic: fewer young drivers usually means a lower premium – but only if it reflects reality.
Deductible and garage network: check both for comprehensive cover.
Telematics policies: some insurers reward smooth, anticipatory driving with a bonus.
Pay annually rather than in monthly instalments.

For the other price factors, see car insurance cost in Germany. Whether you need Teilkasko or Vollkasko on top of mandatory liability depends mostly on your car's value – compare the options in Teilkasko vs Vollkasko.

Probation period: what else new drivers should know

A first German driving licence is issued on probation for two years. During probation, and until your 21st birthday, there is a strict zero-tolerance rule on alcohol and cannabis behind the wheel. Breaking the rules can also be expensive on the insurance side: according to the Verbraucherzentrale, your liability insurer can claim back up to 5,000 euros from the driver in cases such as drink-driving or driving without a licence.

Frequently asked questions about car insurance for new drivers

Which SF class do new drivers get in Germany?

With less than three years of licence history you usually start in SF 0. With at least three years, SF ½ is often possible. Each insurer sets its own exact rules.

Is it allowed to register my car in my parents' name?

Yes, this is a common and legitimate option. You must be declared correctly as a driver, and the details about keeper and use must be accurate.

Does accompanied driving from 17 lead to a discount?

Some insurers take BF17 into account when classifying you. There is no entitlement to it, which is why comparing quotes pays off.

What happens if an undeclared driver uses the car?

If there is a claim and the driver was not declared, it can have financial consequences, such as an additional premium or a contractual penalty under the insurer's terms.

Does my foreign driving experience count?

For the probation period, the time since you obtained a foreign licence is counted. Whether an insurer recognises foreign claim-free years depends on the insurer and on the documents you can provide.

Next step

First decide which route suits you – your own policy, named driver with your parents, or a second car. Then compare quotes using identical details.

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