Praxis & Einsatz

Driving license for construction machinery: How to become an excavator or wheel loader driver

Q: What driving license do you need for a wheel loader up to 40 km/h?

For wheel loaders with a maximum design speed of up to 40 km/h on public roads is usually the Driving license class T or CE required – depending on the application, approval and weight. If the wheel loader only moved within the company or on the construction site , often a DGUV-compliant training with instruction Important: Even for purely business use, a written authorization from the employer Duty.

Q: Can I drive an excavator without a driver's license?

Yes – but only under certain conditions. For the Operating an excavator on private property or construction sites without public traffic Do you need no classic driving license However, a recognized training with theoretical and practical parts as well as a written order from the employer required by law (DGUV Rule 100-500). In public traffic you can use an excavator only with a valid driving license (e.g. class L, B or CE – depending on the type and speed).

Q: Can I drive a wheel loader with a class B driving license?

Only to a limited extent. With a Class B driving license may you smaller wheel loaders in public traffic only drive then if they have a maximum permissible speed of 25 km/h and the permissible total weight remains below the passenger car limits. For larger or faster wheel loaders (e.g. up to 40 km/h or heavier machines) the Class L, T or CE necessary. On company premises additionally applies: You need training according to DGUV 100-500 as well as a written order by your employer.

Q: How many times can an excavator rotate?

An excavator can theoretically endlessly 360 degrees because the upper carriage is mounted on a slewing ring. Only very small or special models with limited slewing range have stops – but most modern hydraulic excavators are fully rotatable without limitation .

Q: How long does it take to train to become an excavator driver?

The training to become an excavator driver usually takes 3 to 10 days , depending on previous experience, machine type and training provider. Theory (safety, technology, regulations) and practice (operation, maneuvers, use on construction sites) are combined until the examination for Construction machinery driver's license can be stored.

Q: How fast does a wheel loader go?

Depending on the size and model, a wheel loader can between 20 and 50 km/h Compact construction machines tend to travel slower, while large or specially designed high-speed wheel loaders can also achieve higher speeds for road transport.

Q: What types of construction machinery are there?

The most important Construction machinery to count: excavator (Crawler excavators, mobile excavators, mini excavators), Wheel loader and Telehandler , rollers and bulldozers , Work platforms such as scissor or telescopic platforms and cranes and Forklift Depending on the application, special machines such as Milling machines, drilling rigs or concrete pumps added.

Q: How do you control an excavator?

An excavator is controlled via two joysticks and foot pedals : The joysticks are used to move the boom, stick, and bucket, while the pedals are responsible for driving and rotating the upper carriage. Depending on the manufacturer, there are different control types, but they all relate to precise hydraulic movements support.

What You Need to Know

Anyone who has excavators, wheel loaders or otherOperating construction machinerydoes not always need a classic driving licence – but almost always aqualified training. The decisive factor is whether you are working on public land or purely within the company. For road traffic, theDriving license class L, B or CEnecessary.

Regardless of the location, DGUV Rule 100-500 applies:Only those whoinstructed, practically trained and commissioned by the employermay operate earth-moving machinery. A training certificate – often referred to asConstruction machinery driver's licenseorExcavator license– is required by law and can be completed, for example, at certified academies or directly at BIBERGER.

What You Need to Know

Do you want to drive an excavator? Or operate a wheel loader? Then remember: not all construction machines are created equal – and not all driver's licenses are created equal.

What really matters is the question: Who is actually allowed to drive what – and under what conditions? And that's exactly what we'll clarify here. Practical. Understandable. To the point. So you know when you can just get started – and when it's impossible without training or proof.

What counts as construction machinery?

If you're thinking, "Excavator is a good enough definition," no. Construction machinery is a collective term. This includes, among others:

Excavators (crawler excavators, mobile excavators, mini excavators)
Wheel loaders and telehandlers
Bulldozers, rollers, graders
Earth-moving machines with higher speed
Work platforms and telehandlers (yes, those too – more on that below)

Whether on a construction site, in a depot or on public roads : the locations are different, and so are the requirements.

Do you need a driver’s license for excavators and the like?

The answer: It depends.

For road traffic you need a driving license – usually class L, B or CE , depending on the type and speed of the machine.

For pure construction site work, a traditional driver's license is usually not required – but you do need proven qualifications . This is precisely where the so-called excavator driver's license, or excavator license for short, or construction machinery driver's license , comes into play.

Training, instruction or driving license – what is necessary and when?

Principle: As soon as you use a construction machine commercially , you need:

theoretical and practical training
instruction by the employer
a written order

Because: According to the law, only people who have been commissioned and trained are allowed to operate construction machinery .

Please note: This is also mandatory for wheel loaders, telehandlers or mini excavators in depots – no matter how simple the operation appears.

What DGUV 100-500 prescribes for excavator and construction machinery drivers

This regulation is something like the law book for machine operators. It states clearly:

Only suitable, qualified persons may operate construction machinery
Entrepreneurs must commission and regularly instruct
The qualification must be proven theoretically and practically
Minimum age: 18 years
When participating in road traffic : appropriate driving license required

Anyone who disregards this not only risks an accident but also legal consequences – for the driver and the employer.

Where can you get your construction machinery driver's license?

Want to do it right? Then get your qualifications through a recognized training program – for example, from:

DEKRA / TÜV / Construction Academies
SYSTEM-CARD from SYSTEM LIFT for work platforms, forklifts and crane operators

Here you will learn everything you need to know – from the theoretical part to hazard avoidance and the practical operation of your machine.

Costs, duration, requirements – brief & concrete

Training type	Length of time	Price (net)	Notes
Express training (with prior knowledge)	1 day	from 535 €	For experienced operators; compact course with theory and practice
Standard training (beginners)	2–3 days	approx. €699 – €1,250	Comprehensive training for beginners, including theory and practice
Intensive course (e.g. DEKRA, TÜV)	up to 10 days	approx. €800 – €1,900	For comprehensive qualification, possibly with funding from the Employment Agency

What about forklifts, telehandlers and lifting platforms?

Good question – because technically, these are also considered construction machinery . But: They are subject to their own regulations .

For forklifts and telehandlers you need a forklift license
For mobile elevating work platforms , training in accordance with DGUV is mandatory

We cover both topics in separate articles. You can find the information here:

About the author

Martin Biberger

Managing Director

Martin is the founder and managing director of BIBERGER Arbeitsbühnen & Forklifts.

He is responsible for thetechnical areaTogether with his team, he is responsible for thetechnical purchasingthe machines thatFurther development of the machine inventoryand the smooth operation of over 1,500 BIBERGER rental devices.

From many years of experience he knows theStrengths and weaknesses of all device classes, the possibleAreas of applicationand thetechnical possibilities– always with a view to theDevelopment of the entire industryand future innovations.

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The subject content on biberger.de are editorially created, reviewed, and continuously updated. The basis is our daily work with aerial platforms, telehandlers, and industrial trucks – in rental, sales, operational planning, and technical support.

Each article draws on real-world experience and is editorially reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and practical relevance according to expert criteria. Technical statements are regularly compared against current industry standards and best practices.

The aim of our publications is to make reliable specialist knowledge accessible and to offer guidance to users, decision-makers and industry partners. BIBERGER sees itself as an independent information platform for safe, economical and modern height access technology – well-founded, comprehensible and free from advertising influence.

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FAQ

What driving license do you need for construction machinery?

For construction machinery on public roads, depending on size and maximum speed, aDriving license of class L, B or CErequired. OnConstruction sites or industrial premises without public transportno classic driving license is required –but a recognized training with theoretical and practical partsis required by law. This qualification is often referred to asConstruction machinery driver's licenseorExcavator licenseand is a prerequisite for commercial operation.

What driving license do you need for a wheel loader up to 40 km/h?

For wheel loaders with a maximum design speed ofup to 40 km/h on public roadsis usually theDriving license class T or CErequired – depending on the application, approval and weight. If the wheel loaderonly moved within the company or on the construction site, often aDGUV-compliant training with instructionImportant: Even for purely business use, awritten authorization from the employerDuty.

Can I drive an excavator without a driver's license?

Yes – but only under certain conditions.For theOperating an excavator on private property or construction sites without public trafficDo you needno classic driving licenseHowever, arecognized training with theoretical and practical parts as well as a written order from the employerrequired by law (DGUV Rule 100-500).

In public trafficyou can use an excavatoronly with a valid driving license(e.g. class L, B or CE – depending on the type and speed).

Can I drive a wheel loader with a class B driving license?

Only to a limited extent.With aClass B driving licensemay yousmaller wheel loadersin public trafficonly drive thenif they have amaximum permissible speed of 25 km/hand the permissible total weight remains below the passenger car limits.

For larger or faster wheel loaders (e.g. up to 40 km/h or heavier machines) theClass L, T or CEnecessary.On company premisesadditionally applies: You needtraining according to DGUV 100-500as well as awritten orderby your employer.

How many times can an excavator rotate?

An excavator can theoreticallyendlessly 360 degreesbecause the upper carriage is mounted on a slewing ring. Only very small or special models with limited slewing range have stops – but most modern hydraulic excavators arefully rotatable without limitation.

How long does it take to train to become an excavator driver?

The training to become an excavator driver usually takes3 to 10 days, depending on previous experience, machine type and training provider. Theory (safety, technology, regulations) and practice (operation, maneuvers, use on construction sites) are combined until the examination forConstruction machinery driver's licensecan be stored.

How fast does a wheel loader go?

Depending on the size and model, a wheel loader canbetween 20 and 50 km/hCompact construction machines tend to travel slower, while large or specially designed high-speed wheel loaders can also achieve higher speeds for road transport.

What types of construction machinery are there?

The most importantConstruction machineryto count:excavator(Crawler excavators, mobile excavators, mini excavators),Wheel loaderandTelehandler,rollersandbulldozers,Work platformssuch as scissor or telescopic platforms andcranesandForkliftDepending on the application, special machines such asMilling machines, drilling rigs or concrete pumpsadded.

How do you control an excavator?

An excavator is controlled viatwo joysticks and foot pedals: The joysticks are used to move the boom, stick, and bucket, while the pedals are responsible for driving and rotating the upper carriage. Depending on the manufacturer, there are different control types, but they all relate toprecise hydraulic movementssupport.

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