Bus Operator License

Operating scheduled bus services (Linienverkehr) or occasional services such as excursion trips, holiday destination travel, or charter bus services requires a license under the Passenger Transport Act (Personenbeförderungsgesetz, PBefG). This applies to any business carrying passengers commercially by bus.

You apply at the transport authority (Verkehrsbehörde) at your place of business. The authority checks three core requirements: personal reliability, financial capacity, and professional competence. Professional competence is demonstrated through the Fachkundeprüfung at the IHK. The license is granted for a specific type of traffic and operating area. For scheduled services, the authority also examines whether the route serves a public transport need. Licenses are time-limited and must be renewed.