DLR When should you book the DLR test for 2027?
If you want to start pilot training in 2027, aim to sit the DLR test about 8 to 12 months before your target course. The EFA asks for at least 6 months from application to course start, and the DLR recommends waiting 6 months before a retake. Book as soon as your preparation is solid.
For a course start in 2027, a good rule of thumb is to take the DLR test 8 to 12 months before your target course. That is our own calculation based on two official figures: the European Flight Academy (EFA) asks for at least six months from application to course start, and after a weak result the DLR recommends a six-month wait before a retake. Testing early leaves room for both.
Which 2027 course starts are known?
According to the EFA class overview of 5 October 2026, the January 2027 course in Bremen is fully booked. February 2027 in Bremen and March 2027 in Zurich are open for applications, and the EFA may move dates. For those two courses you are already inside the six-month window on paper, so whether there is still time is the EFA's decision. For later 2027 courses, now is the time to start preparing.
How do you work out the right moment?
Count backwards from the course start:
| Step | Time needed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EFA process (application, assessment centre, medical) | at least 6 months before course start | EFA |
| Buffer for a possible DLR retake | 6-month recommended waiting period | DLR |
| Preparation before the test | 2 to 3 months, based on candidate reports | candidate reports |
As of October 2026.
Example with an assumed autumn 2027 course start: apply by spring 2027, sit the DLR test by around February 2027, start training in autumn 2026. If you only test in summer 2027 and miss the rating, the earliest recommended retake is in winter. The full timeline is in DLR test preparation 2027.
When and where can you book?
Through the EFA you can book dates in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. New dates are released at the start of each month, and the EFA says demand is high. Booking directly with the DLR gets you Cologne or Hamburg, and from October 2026 also Vienna, where CogniTest handles bookings. 2026 prices: €417.69 plus VAT via the DLR, or €427 via the EFA, discounted to €327 for test dates up to 31 December 2026. More in DLR test preparation 2026 and How much does the DLR test cost?.
TipDo not book just to "give it a try". The attempt counts, and the waiting period applies all the same.
Is testing too early a problem?
Rarely. The DLR certificate is valid for two years. Some programmes, however, require it to be valid for at least one more year when you apply; a Lufthansa Group advert for the dual study programme in Bremen says exactly that. Under that rule, a certificate from October 2026 covers applications until about October 2027, so apply within the first year after your test. More on validity in DLR test results: when and how long valid.
Swiss nationals who only want to fly for SWISS or Edelweiss can use a SPHAIR certificate instead (no older than five years, with a pilot recommendation). For access to all Lufthansa Group cockpits, you need the DLR certificate.
For the months before your date, regular practice helps, for example with the DLR Test Trainer, which covers the ten computer-based test types including a full exam simulation. The current information from the DLR, the EFA and your airline always takes precedence.