Driving Licence at 17: Optimise Insurance and Avoid Costly Pitfalls
24 Jun 2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The driving licence at 17 is a popular start to mobile freedom. But how does accompanied driving affect insurance and what pitfalls should you be aware of? This article shows you how to set off on the right path right from the start.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Always report participation in accompanied driving (BF17) to your car insurance before the first drive to ensure coverage and take advantage of potential premium benefits.
Participating in BF17 can significantly reduce the costs of the first personal car insurance after the 18th birthday, as many insurers offer more favorable no-claims bonus classes.
Ensure that all accompanying persons meet legal requirements and are officially registered, as severe penalties may apply otherwise.
Quick Facts: The essentials about insurance for driving licenses at 17
Accompanied driving from the age of 17 (BF17) is an opportunity for young drivers to gain experience. Participation must be reported to the car insurance, usually before the first drive. Many insurers moderately increase the premium, or not at all, during the BF17 phase. Participants in BF17 often benefit from more favourable classifications with their first own policy. The costs for the driving licence itself are around 1,400 to 2,300 euros, plus small fees for the BF17 certificate. Without notifying the insurance about the BF17 driver, coverage may be at risk.
Practical Part: BF17 and the Impact on Your Insurance Policy
Once a teenager participates in accompanied driving, the group of drivers for the used vehicle changes. This must be reported to the insurer immediately, ideally before the 17-year-old's first drive. Some insurers, like CosmosDirekt, allow novice drivers to gain driving experience without additional premiums. Other providers charge a moderate surcharge; Allianz, for example, adjusts the premium. The good news is that a special BF17 insurance is usually not necessary. The existing policy will be adjusted. The costs for a driving licence at 17 are comparable to those of a regular driving licence, with only minor fees for the test certificate and the registration of accompanying persons, often between ten and 50 euros. Comprehensive car insurance is essential in this context. Failure to report can lead to significant problems up to the loss of insurance coverage in the event of a claim, so transparency with the insurer is of utmost importance.
The benefits of BF17 often become more apparent later:
More favourable classification in no-claims bonus classes (SF classes) with the first own insurance.
Reduced accident risk, which insurers view positively; studies show up to 20 percent fewer accidents.
Some insurers offer special discounts for former BF17 participants.
The accumulated driving experience leads to more safety and routine on the road.
These positive aspects make accompanied driving a worthwhile investment in safety and future insurance costs. The transition to one’s own car liability insurance is often facilitated by this.
Expert Depth: Legal Frameworks and Design Tips
Legally, the 17-year-old driver is the responsible vehicle operator, not the accompanying person. The accompanying person acts as an advisor and must meet certain requirements: at least 30 years old, in possession of a category B driving license for five uninterrupted years, and no more than one point on their driving record in Flensburg. During the journey, the accompanying person is subject to a 0.5 per mille alcohol limit. Our expert tip: Have all potential accompanying persons registered directly when applying to maintain flexibility. The number of accompanying persons is not limited. Violating the rules of accompanied driving, such as driving without a registered accompanying person, has serious consequences: withdrawal of the driving license, a fine (often 70 euros), one point in Flensburg, and an extension of the probationary period. The test certificate is generally valid only in Germany and Austria. Also consider insurance for young drivers that extends beyond basic coverage. When taking out their first own policy after their 18th birthday, former BF17 participants should definitely mention their participation to benefit from potential discounts. Many insurers then classify them more favorably, for example, directly into SF class ½ or even SF class 1, instead of SF class 0.
Keeping an eye on costs: What does a driver's license at 17 and insurance cost?
The pure training costs for the driving licence at 17 hardly differ from those for the driving licence at 18 and range, depending on the region and the driving school, between 1,400 and 2,300 euros. In addition, there are fees for issuing the test certificate (about eight to ten euros) and the check of each accompanying person (often around ten euros per person). The insurance costs during the BF17 phase depend on the provider. Some insurers like CosmosDirekt or Concordia include BF17 drivers in the parental policy without or with only a small surcharge. Others, like Allianz or HUK-COBURG, charge a premium, which, however, is usually moderate. In the long run, BF17 often pays off because the first own insurance becomes cheaper. A Finanztip sample showed a savings potential of around 20 per cent. It is advisable to compare the cheapest car insurance. The choice of vehicle also plays a role; typical beginner cars with a high type class can be more expensive.
Here is an example cost overview for the driving licence at 17 (BF17):
Basic fee driving school: 200 - 400 euros
Cost per driving lesson (variable number): 45 - 70 euros
Special rides (twelve compulsory hours): 500 - 700 euros
Learning materials: 50 - 80 euros
Presentation for the theory test: 50 - 70 euros
Presentation for the practical test: 150 - 250 euros
Fees for TÜV/DEKRA (theory and practice): approx. 120 - 150 euros
Application BF17 and test certificate: 40 - 60 euros (varies greatly)
Fee per accompanying person: 5 - 15 euros
These costs are estimates and can vary greatly by region and individually. An early comparison of driving school prices and insurance offers is therefore recommended.
After the 18th birthday: The transition to your own insurance
On their 18th birthday, the phase of accompanied driving ends, and the test certificate must be exchanged for the EU photo driving licence within three months. From this point, young adults are responsible for their own insurance cover when driving their own car. Participation in BF17 often has a positive impact here: Many insurers offer more favourable classifications in the no-claims bonus class (SF class). Instead of starting at the expensive SF class 0 (often over 100 percent contribution rate), former BF17 participants can, for example, start in SF ½ (around 70-85 percent) or even SF 1 (around 50-60 percent). It's important to actively inform the insurer about participation in BF17. One way to save costs is the transfer of no-claims discounts from parents or grandparents, although usually only as many years can be transferred as the young driver has held the driving licence. The option to insure the first own car as a second vehicle through the parents can also bring financial benefits. Find out about your individual options at nextsure; we’re happy to advise you on your motor liability insurance.
Accident risk and statistics: Why BF17 is worthwhile
Statistics demonstrate the success of accompanied driving. Young drivers who have participated in BF17 cause significantly fewer accidents and commit fewer traffic offences than novice drivers who start driving alone immediately at 18. Studies indicate a reduction in the risk of accidents by around 20 percent. In 2020, 15,960 young people aged 15 to 17 were involved in road traffic accidents in Germany. Accompanied driving has been shown to contribute to the reduction of these figures. ADAC accident research shows that 18 to 24-year-olds are disproportionately involved in single-vehicle accidents, often due to overconfidence and lack of experience. Driving with an experienced accompanying person helps assess risks better and develop an understanding of critical traffic situations. This early awareness is an important building block for long-term safe participation in traffic. The German Road Safety Council highlights that BF17 and the alcohol ban for novice drivers have significantly contributed to the reduction of accident numbers among young drivers. A good car insurance for the child provides additional protection.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them in the 'Führerschein mit 17' insurance
A common mistake is the delayed or missing notification of the BF17 driver to the insurance of the vehicle used. This can, at worst, lead to the loss of insurance cover. Another point is the assumption that every insurer automatically covers BF17 drivers without a premium adjustment; this is not always the case, so an inquiry is essential. Many also forget to actively indicate participation in BF17 when taking out their first own policy, which results in missed discounts. Do not underestimate the importance of correctly registering all accompanying persons. Only officially registered people are allowed to accompany. Another pitfall can be the choice of the first car: vehicles with high insurance groups or a lot of horsepower are often more expensive for beginner drivers to insure. Find out about insurance costs for beginner drivers. Careful planning and communication with the insurer helps avoid these mistakes and ensures a smooth start.
Checklist to avoid mistakes:
Report BF17 participation to the insurer immediately (before your first drive).
Have all accompanying persons officially registered.
Check conditions for accompanying persons (age, driving licence possession, penalty points).
Actively mention BF17 participation when taking out your first own policy.
Examine insurance conditions and possible surcharges for BF17 in detail.
Pay attention to the validity of the test certificate abroad (usually only Austria).
Strictly adhere to probationary period rules and the zero alcohol limit.
Your next step: Individual consultation for optimal protection
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on accompanied driving, providing detailed information on this topic.
FAQ
How does having a driver's license at 17 affect the no-claims bonus class?
Participating in accompanied driving often leads to a better classification in the no-claims bonus class (e.g., SF ½ or SF 1 instead of SF 0) with the first own insurance policy after turning 18.
What requirements must a accompany person meet for BF17?
An accompanying person must be at least 30 years old, have held a Class B driving licence for at least five consecutive years, and have no more than one point in the driving aptitude register in Flensburg.
Is special insurance necessary for a driving licence at 17?
No, a special BF17 insurance is generally not required. The minor driver is added to the existing car insurance of the vehicle being used (usually the parents'). This must be reported to the insurer.
What happens if you drive without a registered accompanying person?
Driving without a companion entered in the test certificate constitutes a serious violation. The consequences are the revocation of the driving license, a fine (often 70 euros), a point in Flensburg, the requirement to attend a remedial seminar, and an extension of the probationary period.
Can I drive abroad with the BF17 certification?
The German BF17 examination certificate is usually only recognized in Austria. For journeys to other countries, it is generally not valid.
How many companions can be registered?
The number of accompanying persons is not limited. Any number of people can be registered, provided they meet the requirements. A small fee applies for each registration.
