Germany Category D1 Theory Test study materials
Germany Category D1 Theory Test study resources

Germany Category D1 Theory Test study plan

Germany Category D1 Theory Test · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Gefahrenlehre (Hazard Perception and Defensive Riding/Driving) & Vorfahrt, Verkehrsregelung (Right of Way and Traffic Control)

  • List 15 typical D1 hazard sources (blind spots of a large van, cyclists in the right-turn blind spot, pedestrians behind the vehicle when reversing, tram tracks, crosswind on bridges) and state for each one the correct anticipatory action

  • Describe the D1-specific blind spot geometry and derive the correct mirror and shoulder-check sequence for lane changes, turning right and pulling away from the kerb

  • Explain the safety distance rule in metres (half the speedometer reading) and calculate stopping distances for 30, 50, 60 and 80 km/h including reaction time

  • Apply the right-before-left rule to at least six sketched junction situations and justify each decision in one sentence

  • Distinguish priority signs (Zeichen 301, 306, 205, 206, 208) from traffic-light and police-officer signals and name which signal overrides which

Your checkpoint

A one-page hazard sheet with 15 hazard sources, the matching anticipatory action and the correct mirror/shoulder-check sequence, scored by self-test at 90 percent recall

Week 2

Gefahrenlehre (Hazard Perception and Defensive Riding/Driving) & Verhalten im Straßenverkehr (Behaviour in Road Traffic)

  • Ride through or simulate ten hazard scenarios (overtaking a cyclist with 1.5 m clearance outside town, following a tram, passing a bus at a stop, wet tram rails, gravel in bends) and state the correct speed and line choice

  • Explain the D1 overtaking ban rules, the 1.5 m / 2 m clearance rules for cyclists and how the vehicle width of a D1 category vehicle changes the safe overtaking distance

  • Describe correct behaviour at pedestrian crossings, at buses displaying warning lights and at level crossings, including the D1-specific stopping distance

  • Identify the situations in which the D1 driver must reduce speed to walking pace or stop, and justify each with the relevant rule

  • Explain the effects of alcohol, fatigue, medication and distraction on reaction time and name the legal limits and consequences for novice drivers

Your checkpoint

A written scenario log of ten hazard situations with chosen speed, line and justification, plus a 20-question self-made quiz on behaviour rules answered at 85 percent or better

Week 3

Personenbeförderung, Sicherheit und Ladung (Passenger Transport, Safety and Load) & Technische Bedingungen des Fahrzeugs (Technical Conditions of the Vehicle)

  • Calculate the permissible payload of a D1 vehicle from permissible total mass, kerb weight and the mass of the occupants, and check the result against the axle load limits

  • Explain the correct load securing method for typical D1 loads (lashing, positive locking, form-fit) and state why a positive-locking load bed is preferred

  • Describe the correct seating, headrest adjustment, seat-belt use and child restraint rules for passengers in a D1 vehicle

  • Check the tyre condition criteria (minimum tread depth, pressure, damage, age) and explain the consequences of under-inflation on handling and fuel use

  • Explain the function and warning behaviour of the ABS, ESP, brake assist and the tyre pressure monitoring system in a D1 vehicle

Your checkpoint

A completed load and payload calculation worksheet for three example loads, including the axle load check and the chosen securing method with justification

Week 4

Verkehrszeichen und Verkehrseinrichtungen (Traffic Signs and Traffic Installations) & Vorfahrt, Verkehrsregelung (Right of Way and Traffic Control)

  • Sort 60 traffic signs by category (danger, regulation, direction, supplementary) and state the required behaviour for each without looking at the answer key

  • Explain the meaning of supplementary signs (Zeichen 1000 to 1060 series) for time, distance, vehicle type and load restrictions relevant to D1

  • Interpret lane markings, bus lanes, cycle lanes, pedestrian zones and environmental zones and state which ones a D1 vehicle may use

  • Describe the hierarchy of traffic control (police officer, traffic lights, signs, general rules) and apply it to four conflict cases

  • Explain the rules for turning, U-turns, entering motorways and using the hard shoulder with a D1 vehicle

Your checkpoint

A sign-recognition test of 60 signs with a score of at least 90 percent, plus four written conflict-case resolutions in the correct hierarchy order

Week 5

Verhalten im Straßenverkehr (Behaviour in Road Traffic) & Umweltschutz und Kraftstoffeffizienz (Environmental Protection and Fuel Efficiency)

  • Explain the legal and physical consequences of driving too fast for the conditions, tailgating, and using a mobile phone while driving, including the points and fines involved

  • Describe anticipatory, low-consumption driving: early upshifting, engine braking, coasting phases, avoiding unnecessary idling and correct tyre pressure

  • Calculate the fuel consumption difference between aggressive and anticipatory driving for a 200 km route and explain the effect on CO2 and noise

  • Explain the environmental-zone and emission-class rules relevant to a D1 vehicle and how to check the vehicle's emission class

  • Explain the effect of air-conditioning, roof racks and additional load on fuel consumption and describe how to reduce it

Your checkpoint

A one-page eco-driving checklist plus a written 200 km consumption comparison with calculated litres and CO2 saved

Week 6

Verhalten bei Panne und Unfall (Behaviour in Breakdown and Accident Situations) & Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen des Straßenverkehrs (Legal Framework of Road Traffic)

  • Describe the correct sequence for securing an accident site: warning triangle placement distance, hazard lights, warning vest, first aid and emergency call, adapted to the stopping distance of a D1 vehicle

  • Explain the first-aid measures for the most common accident injuries and the legal duty to provide assistance

  • Describe the correct behaviour after a breakdown on a motorway, in a tunnel and on a level crossing, including where to wait and how to secure the vehicle

  • Explain the legal framework: driving licence classes and their conditions, the probationary period for novice drivers, the alcohol and drug limits, and the documentation that must be carried in a D1 vehicle

  • Explain the insurance and liability rules after an accident, including the obligation to report and the role of the accident report

Your checkpoint

A written emergency action card for three scenarios (motorway breakdown, tunnel breakdown, accident with injured persons) with the exact sequence of steps and warning distances

Week 7

Gefahrenlehre (Hazard Perception and Defensive Riding/Driving) & Personenbeförderung, Sicherheit und Ladung (Passenger Transport, Safety and Load)

  • Work through 150 mixed practice questions weighted to domains 1 and 7 and log every wrong answer with the underlying rule

  • Re-explain the ten most frequently missed hazard and passenger-safety rules in your own words without notes

  • Rehearse the full pre-drive check (tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, load, doors, emergency equipment) in under five minutes and list any missed item

  • Simulate three passenger-transport scenarios (school class, elderly passengers, luggage-heavy trip) and state the specific safety measures for each

  • Review the load-securing and payload calculations from week 3 and correct any errors found

Your checkpoint

An error log of at least 150 practice questions with a corrected-answer rate of 90 percent on the second attempt

Week 8

Gefahrenlehre (Hazard Perception and Defensive Riding/Driving) & Verhalten im Straßenverkehr (Behaviour in Road Traffic) & Vorfahrt, Verkehrsregelung (Right of Way and Traffic Control) & Verkehrszeichen und Verkehrseinrichtungen (Traffic Signs and Traffic Installations) & Umweltschutz und Kraftstoffeffizienz (Environmental Protection and Fuel Efficiency) & Technische Bedingungen des Fahrzeugs (Technical Conditions of the Vehicle) & Personenbeförderung, Sicherheit und Ladung (Passenger Transport, Safety and Load) & Verhalten bei Panne und Unfall (Behaviour in Breakdown and Accident Situations) & Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen des Straßenverkehrs (Legal Framework of Road Traffic)

  • Complete three full timed mock tests under exam conditions and score at least 90 percent in each

  • Review every remaining wrong answer across all domains and close each gap with the relevant rule

  • Recite the warning-distance, safety-distance and clearance figures from memory without error

  • Re-check the emergency action card and the load worksheet for accuracy and completeness

  • Plan the exam day: documents, arrival time, and the procedure for the practical and theory parts

Your checkpoint

Three completed timed mock tests with scores of at least 90 percent each and a final closed-gap list showing no open items

Milestones

Week 2: Explain ten D1 hazard situations with the correct speed, line and anticipatory action, and answer a 20-question behaviour quiz at 85 percent or better

Week 4: Score at least 90 percent on the 60-sign recognition test and resolve four conflict cases in the correct hierarchy order

Week 6: Produce a complete emergency action card for three scenarios and correctly state the legal limits, licence conditions and required documents

Week 8: Score at least 90 percent on three timed full mock tests and show a closed-gap list with no open items