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How to pass the German theory test on the first try

Most people who fail the theory exam don't fail because the rules are hard. They fail because of a few expensive mistakes on high-point questions, or because they learned the answers by heart without understanding the wording. Here is how to avoid both.

Understand how you can fail

For a first car licence (class B) you answer 30 questions. Each one carries 2 to 5 error points. You pass with up to 10 error points – but two wrong 5-point questions fail you on their own. So the questions that matter most are the 5-point ones: right of way, alcohol, speed and dangerous situations.

Wrong answers on 2-point questions are cheap – one or two will not hurt you.
A single 5-point mistake already uses half of your allowance.
Multiple-choice questions only count as correct if you tick every correct answer and none of the wrong ones.

A simple 3-week plan

Week 1: one topic per day (right of way, signs, speed and distances, alcohol and drugs, behaviour in traffic, environment, vehicle technology). 20–30 minutes is enough.
Week 2: mixed sessions every day. Repeat every question you get wrong until you answer it correctly twice in a row.
Week 3: one full exam simulation per day. You are ready when you stay clearly under 10 error points several days in a row – not just once.

Studying for the theory test?Practise every question in your language with the German original – free on iPhone.

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The traps that cost the most points

Right of way: “rechts vor links” applies at junctions without signs or lights – being on the bigger road doesn't help.
Numbers: 0.0 per mille for new drivers and under 21, 0.5 general limit, 0.3 with signs of unsafe driving.
Words like “must”, “may” and “should” change the meaning of an answer – read every option completely.
Picture and video questions: look for children, cyclists and brake lights before you answer.

When German is not your first language

You can take the official exam in several foreign languages, including English, Arabic, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian. Even so, learn each question together with the German original: your driving lessons, road signs and the practical test are all in German, and the key terms (Vorfahrt, Fahrstreifen, Probezeit) come up constantly.

The day before the exam

Do one last simulation, then stop – no cramming late at night.
Bring your ID and whatever your driving school told you to bring.
In the exam, flag questions you are unsure about and come back to them at the end.

German terms to know

Fehlerpunkte – error points
Theorieprüfung – theory exam
Prüfungssimulation – exam simulation
Vorfahrt – right of way

Fahrlingua is built around exactly this plan: smart sessions that repeat your weak questions, exam simulations with error points, and every question in 22 languages with the German original side by side.

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