Fahrlehrerverband (driving-instructor association)
Also known as: German Driving Instructors' Association · BVF
Fahrlehrerverbände are the professional bodies representing driving instructors in Germany — at federal-state and federal level (BVF). They handle training, advocacy, and collective-bargaining work.
At the federal level, the Bundesvereinigung der Fahrlehrerverbände e. V. (BVF) coordinates the individual state associations. The state associations — for example Fahrlehrerverband Nordrhein and Fahrlehrerverband Bayern — are the direct contact for member driving schools.
Typical services:
- Initial and continuing education under § 53 FahrlG (mandatory continuing education every four years),
- Legal advice on employment, fees, and supervision,
- Collective bargaining with employed driving instructors,
- Political representation vis-à-vis BMDV/BMVI and state ministries,
- Industry statistics and market data.
Membership is voluntary, but in practice most German driving schools are affiliated with their state association. The closest UK or US equivalents — DIA, ADI National Joint Council, or the Driving School Association of America — operate on a similar professional-body model but without the German federal-state structure.
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