Operating a Driving School

A regulated trade entitling the holder to operate a driving school, that is, to teach and train applicants for a driving licence. The qualification is proved by a professional certificate from the regional authority and one year of experience in the field, and it cannot be replaced by experience alone.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. There must be no ongoing obstacle to operating a trade under Section 8 of the TLA.

Professional qualification (Annex 2 to the TLA - laid down separately for this trade; it cannot be replaced by general experience):
A professional certificate issued by the relevant regional authority under Section 21(1) of Act No. 247/2000 Coll., on acquiring and improving professional competence to drive motor vehicles.
One year of experience in the field.

The professional qualification may be met on the entrepreneur's behalf by an appointed responsible representative (Section 11 of the TLA).

Medical fitness is not required under the Trade Licensing Act, and liability insurance is not required.

Examples of activities

teaching and training applicants for a driving licence
operating a driving school
practical driving training (driving lessons with an instructor)
theoretical instruction in road traffic rules
training for a category B driving licence
refresher driving lessons for driving licence holders
teaching first aid as part of the driving school
preparation for the examination of professional competence

What the trade is and what it is for

The trade Operating a driving school is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. It entitles you to operate a driving school, that is, to provide teaching and training to applicants for a driving licence and to applicants for a driver's professional competence. It is a regulated activity because the quality of the training has a direct impact on road traffic safety.

Operating a driving school is governed by two pieces of legislation at the same time. The business side is regulated by Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll., on trade licensing (the Trade Licensing Act). The teaching, training and registration of the driving school itself are then dealt with in detail by Act No. 247/2000 Coll., on acquiring and improving professional competence to drive motor vehicles. To fully carry out the activity, therefore, a trade licence alone is not enough - you must also have, separately, a registration to operate a driving school from the relevant municipal office of a municipality with extended powers.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

theoretical instruction in road traffic rules, vehicle operation and maintenance, the theory of driving and the principles of safe driving,
practical training in driving a vehicle and in maintenance (driving lessons with an instructor),
teaching first aid to the extent laid down for driving schools,
refresher driving lessons for driving licence holders,
preparing applicants for the examination of professional competence.

Conversely, it does not include activities that require a different licence or fall under another field. Carrying out the examinations of applicants for a driving licence themselves is an exercise of public administration provided by the municipal office of a municipality with extended powers, not by the driving school. Periodic technical inspections of vehicles and their repairs do not fall under this trade. Renting out vehicles without training is a different activity. It is always advisable to verify the boundary with the Trade Licensing Office according to the specific content.

Conditions for obtaining the licence under the law

To notify a regulated trade you must meet two groups of conditions.

General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act):

full legal capacity (which may be replaced by the court's approval of the legal representative's consent),
a clean criminal record within the meaning of Section 6 of the TLA; a clean criminal record is required for this trade.

At the same time, there must be no ongoing obstacle to operating a trade under Section 8 of the TLA (for example, a ban on activity or certain consequences of insolvency).

Professional qualification (Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act): For a regulated trade the qualification is laid down separately for each trade and cannot be replaced by general experience as with a craft trade. For operating a driving school it is proved by:

a professional certificate issued by the relevant regional authority under Section 21(1) of Act No. 247/2000 Coll., and at the same time
one year of experience in the field.

Responsible representative (Section 11 of the TLA): If you do not have the professional qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative who meets the conditions. They are responsible for the proper operation of the trade and must be in a contractual relationship with the entrepreneur. One person may hold the role of responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs. This option is typically used by business companies.

The Trade Licensing Act does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade (specific requirements for vehicles and persons, however, arise from Act No. 247/2000 Coll.).

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Prepare your documents of professional qualification (the professional certificate, proof of one year of experience) and proof of identity.
Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF) - a single form with which you notify the trade and at the same time arrange registrations with the other authorities.
Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office (the office of a municipality with extended powers), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Pay the administrative fee (see below).
Wait for registration: the office will enter you in the Trade Register and issue an extract under Section 24 of the Trade Licensing Act within 5 working days of receiving a flawless notification. The licence, however, arises as early as the day of notification.
Arrange the driving school registration under Act No. 247/2000 Coll. at the municipal office of a municipality with extended powers - without it you may not actually operate the training.

You will find the detailed universal procedure in the guide How to set up a trade.

Documents and fees

Unified Registration Form (JRF) - notification of a trade.
Proof of identity (an identity card or travel document).
Professional certificate of the regional authority under Section 21(1) of Act No. 247/2000 Coll.
Proof of experience in the field of one year.
Where a responsible representative is appointed, their documents and declaration.
Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 for the first notification of a trade, CZK 800 for electronic submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is a trade licence enough for me to operate a driving school?

No. A trade licence is the necessary basis, but you may actually operate teaching and training only after a registration to operate a driving school under Act No. 247/2000 Coll., issued by the municipal office of a municipality with extended powers. Without it you would be acting contrary to the law.

Can the one year of experience be replaced in another way, for example by longer experience without a certificate?

No. For a regulated trade the qualification is given directly by Annex 2 and cannot be replaced by general experience as with a craft trade. Both a professional certificate from the regional authority and one year of experience in the field are required at the same time.

What if I do not meet the professional qualification?

You may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act who meets the professional qualification. This route is chosen in particular by legal persons.

How long does processing take and when can I start?

The Trade Licensing Office will enter you in the register and issue an extract within 5 working days of a flawless notification. The trade licence, however, arises on the day of notification.

How much will I pay for the notification?

The administrative fee for the first notification of a trade is CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.