How to Get a Category D1 Driving Licence in Greece?

Greece actually allows you to obtain a full bus license 3 years earlier, at 21 instead of 24, if you hold or are applying for a PEI (professional competence certificate) issued by an EU member state, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. This piece covers what D1 authorizes, the exact requirements, and how the PEI shortcut works.

What Category D1 covers

D1 authorizes minibusses with up to 16+1 seats, in accordance with the standard EU technical specification for the category.

Minimum age

You need to be 21 to hold a D1.

You need Category B first

D1 requires you to already hold a valid Category B license.

Full Category D and the PEI shortcut

Full Category D generally requires you to be 24 years old. However, this drops to 21 if you request or already hold a PEI (Πιστοποιητικό Επαγγελματικής Ικανότητας, professional competence certificate for passenger transport vehicle drivers) issued by an EU member state, or by Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.

Documents and eligibility

• An application and a sworn declaration under Article 8 of Law 1599/86, confirming your normal residence in Greece, or student status for at least six months (continuous or cumulative) within the last twelve months
• A valid Category B licence

Training requirements for full Category D

Full Category D requires a minimum of 15 theoretical lessons and 15 practical bus lessons.

What it costs

Costs vary by driving school; confirm current pricing directly with your chosen school, since D1, D training, and administrative fees differ across providers.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission vehicle typically restricts the resulting license to automatic vehicles only.

Validity

Professional-category licenses, including D1, D, D1E, DE, C, CE, C1, and C1E, are valid for 5 years. Amateur categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1, and BE follow a longer 15-year cycle, though this can vary depending on age and medical circumstances.

Renewing your D1

Renewal requires proof of residence in Greece, a photocopy of your current or expired license, three recent passport-style photographs, two medical certificates (from a general pathologist and an ophthalmologist), copies of your medical payment receipts, and a printed application for license issuance.

The theory and practical exams

You'll need to pass both a theory exam covering traffic regulations and category-specific content, and a practical driving test demonstrating genuine control and safe handling of a minibus.

D1E: adding a heavier trailer

D1E authorizes towing arrangements or articulated vehicles up to 16+1 seats, requiring you to already hold a D1 before applying.

Where applications are processed

Applications and license issuance in Greece are handled by the regional Transport and Communications Directorates (Υπηρεσίες Μεταφορών και Επικοινωνιών) that cover your area of residence.

Category B1: a formality only

Worth noting for context: Category B1 isn't actually issued in Greece; it only appears on a Greek license if it's being entered during an exchange from a foreign license that already carried it.

Where D1 sits in Greece's licensing system

D1 sits below full Category D, which authorizes buses with no upper passenger limit.

Tips that actually help

• If you're weighing D1 against going straight for full Category D, consider whether the PEI route (dropping the age to 21) suits your plans.
• Gather your residence declaration and Category B license before applying.
• Keep your medical certificates and payment receipts organized for renewal, as both a pathologist's and an ophthalmologist's opinions are required.
• Confirm the current training hour requirements with your driving school, as they can vary between D1 and full D.

Where this fits going forward

D1 in Greece offers a genuine route into passenger transport, with a meaningful shortcut for those pursuing EU-recognised professional competence certification. If your plans include professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see which employers are hiring drivers. EU, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Greece and license eligibility pages cover the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by driving school in Greece. Always confirm current requirements with the official Greek sources, such as the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, before making decisions. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.