BACKGROUND: The German armed forces went to great lengths to ensure its personnel were provided with the best in-depth training that was available at the time. Besides basic military and ideology training additional training also covered a wide variety of specialized skills, trades and functions including vehicle drivers. The armed forces required all drivers to pass the appropriate military drivers test, even if they already held a civilian drivers licence. The wide variety of military vehicles necessitated diverse, in-depth testing depending on the particular vehicle to be driven. The drivers licenses were issued in three basic classes for different types of vehicles with additional classes for specific vehicles such as tanks. All military drivers licence were assigned a specific number which was recorded by the units administrative office which enabled them to reissue a lost licence with no further testing. The three basic classes of driver’s licenses consisted of class 1 for motorcycles, class 2 for cars and class 3 for trucks. The military drivers licenses were only valid while the individual was on active service and on discharge the licence was to be returned to the appropriate administrative office. With the return of the military drivers licence the individual would be reissued a civilian licence with no further testing. Of Note: On October 23^RD 1942 a series of three Drivers Proficiency Badges in the grades of bronze, silver and gold were introduced with qualifications for bestowal of the badges being retroactive to December 1^ST 1940. The criteria for award of one of the badges varied with exceptional driving ability and vehicle maintenance being the main considerations.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 6" x 8 1/4", dual fold, mid-weight, grey oilcloth construction military drivers licence with printed Gothic script and handwritten, typed and inkstamped particulars. The front cover includes the printed heading, "Militär-Führerschein", which interestingly has had, "Militär", scratched out and replaced with faint, typed, script, "Wehrmacht", (Armed Forces). The front cover also lists the recipient’s name, rank, "Schütze", unit, "13. (J. G.) I.R. 69", birth date and location and additional script, "Nur gültig für die Dauer Dienstverhältnisses bei der Wehrmacht {Bei der Entlassung abzugeben.}", (Only valid for the duration of service in the Armed Forces. {To be returned on release of service.}). The script to the interior of the licence indicates the recipient passed his class three, "Verbrennungsmaschine", (Internal Combustion Engine), drivers tests on, "11. Februar 1939" and the licence was issued on "13. Februar 1939". The licence has a large, dual, inkstamped, black and white photograph of the recipient wearing a M36 field-grey, field blouse glued in position. The licence has dual authorizing signatures of a "Oberst", with the, "Infanterie Regiment 69", unit inkstamp. The back cover has a blank space to enter and additional testing with the printed heading, "Raum für weitere amtliche Eintragungen, insbesondere Bedingungen der Etlaubnis oder Ausdehnung der Erlaubnis nach Ergänzungsprufungen", (Room for further official entries, especially conditions of the permission or expansion of the permission after supplement tests.) The licence shows light age and usage toning and some minor fraying to both the top and bottom edges.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $60.00