How the German theory test is scored: error points, star questions and the new rule
Today questions carry 2 to 5 error points; from July 2027 every question is to count as one point. What star questions are and what this means for your learning.
Last updated: November 2026 · Read this article in German
Key points
- Today: 30 questions worth 2 to 5 error points each, pass with no more than 10 error points.
- From July 2027 (planned): every question counts as one point, pass with no more than 3 mistakes.
- New star questions: getting one wrong means you fail.
- For questions with several correct answers, all of them must be right.
The rule until June 2027
For a first class B licence you get 30 questions. Depending on their importance for safety, each question carries 2 to 5 error points. You pass with no more than 10 error points. But careful: if two 5-point questions are wrong, you fail even though that is exactly 10 points.
The new rule from July 2027
Under the draft, every question is to be worth one point. For the main classes:
- first licence class B (also AM, A1, A2, A, L, T): 30 questions, no more than 3 mistakes
- extension, if you already hold a class: 20 questions, no more than 2 mistakes
- moped (Mofa): 20 questions, no more than 2 mistakes
On top of that come star questions, marked with a star in the official question catalogue. Answer one of them wrongly and you fail, no matter how few other mistakes you made.
Which questions are star questions?
The official question catalogue decides, published by the Federal Ministry of Transport. It is being revised for the reform. Questions that matter most for safety, such as right of way, children in traffic or level crossings, are likely candidates, but only the published catalogue is reliable.
What this means for your learning
No more than 3 mistakes out of 30 means you need to answer around 90 percent with confidence. Guessing will hardly get you there, so learn the rules well enough to explain them. For questions with several correct answers, the question only counts if you tick all correct answers and no wrong one. drivevise already uses this format: every question one point, star questions must be right, and the optional mock exam checks you with 30 questions and no more than 3 mistakes.