Expats who have recently arrived in Germany can continue to use their foreign driving licence for anything up to 10 years, depending on where it was issued.
Like most bureaucratic procedures in Germany, the process for issuing or exchanging a licence can vary greatly between federal states (Länder). Despite the fact that driving licensing laws are set nationally, states tend to apply the law differently on a local level. If in doubt, it is best to always check with your local driving licensing authority (Führerscheinstelle - usually housed within your local citizens' office) to see how things operate in your federal state.
Using a foreign driving licence in Germany
The amount of time your foreign driving licence remains valid in Germany depends on whether it was issued by an EU / EEA member state or somewhere outside of Europe.
EU / EEA driving licence
If you hold a licence issued by an EU / EEA country, it will usually remain valid in Germany until its expiry date. There are exceptions for certain categories of driving licence (see below). To qualify, it must be a full licence, rather than a provisional one or an international driving permit (IDP).
If you are planning on staying in Germany long-term, you might consider exchanging your EU / EEA driving licence for a German Führerschein. You can exchange it at any point by following the procedure outlined below. Once the validity of your original EU / EEA licence expires, you will need to exchange it.
Exceptions to long-term validity of EU / EEA driving licence
The long-term validity of EU / EEA driving licences does not apply to the following categories:
Category A1 (Motorcycles)
Up until their 18th birthday, holders of a category A1 driving licence may only ride light motorcycles (engine size up to 125cc) with a maximum speed of 80kmph.
Category C1 and C1E (Large goods vehicles)
C1 and C1E driving licences are only valid until the holder’s 50th birthday. To exchange this licence for a German one, you will also need to submit certificates attesting to your state of health and eyesight.
Category C, CE, D, DE, D1 and D1E (Large goods vehicles & buses)
These categories of driving licence are only valid for five years after the date of issue, even if they were issued for a longer period in your home country. As above, if you wish to make an exchange, you will need to submit certificates attesting to your good health and eyesight.
Non-EU / EEA Driving Licence
If your driving licence was issued by a country outside the EU / EEA, you can continue using it in Germany for up to six months after you register.
If you are staying for longer than six months, but less than 12, it may be possible to have the validity of your licence extended to cover your entire stay in Germany. Your local driving licensing office will be able to help you with this.
You may also need to get your foreign driving licence translated. If it was not issued in the EU, Andorra, Hong Kong, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland or Senegal you will need to obtain a translation to carry with it. Automobile club ADAC offers this service for between 55 and 85 euros.
After six months, you must obtain a German driving licence from your local driving licensing office. Depending on where it was issued, it may be possible to directly exchange it. Often, however, you will have to pass a theoretical and / or practical driving exam first (see below).
Driving foreign cars
If you bring a foreign car into Germany, you can continue driving with your foreign licence plates for up to 12 months. After that, you will need to register your car to get German licence plates. You may need to have your car modified to pass the vehicle safety inspection. You will also need to pay for car insurance and vehicle tax.
Exchanging a foreign driver's licence in Germany
You will need to meet various conditions in order to exchange a foreign driver's licence for a German one:
- You are a registered resident of Germany with a valid residence permit (if applicable).
- Your driver's licence was issued by an EU/EEA country, or a country with a special reciprocal driving licensing agreement with Germany (see below - if your country does not have an agreement with Germany, you will need to pass some driving tests first).
- Your driver's licence is valid at the time of application.
- You were not a resident of Germany (defined as spending 185 out of 365 days in Germany) at the time you obtained the licence.
Countries with exchange agreements with Germany
The following countries have a special agreement with Germany to exchange driver's licences:
| Andorra | Namibia |
| Australia | New Caledonia |
| Canada | New Zealand |
| Channel Islands | San Marino |
| Croatia | Singapore |
| French Polynesia | South Africa |
| Isle of Man | South Korea |
| Israel | Switzerland |
| Japan | U.S.A.* |
| Monaco |
*The requirements for the U.S.A. vary according to state. Check this full list of requirements to see which tests you might need to take.
Citizens of these countries enjoy a special reciprocal arrangement where they can exchange their foreign driver's licence relatively simply for a German one. If your country is not listed, you will have to take either a theoretical or practical exam (or both) in order to get a German licence. You can check this full list of requirements by country to see what exams, if any, you need to take. You can find out more about the German driving exams on our Learning how to drive page.
How to exchange a foreign driver's licence in Germany
To exchange your foreign driver's licence for a German one, you will need to apply at your local driving licensing office. It is a good idea to call ahead to make an appointment and check the exact requirements for exchanging, as this may vary according to your federal state.
Documents required to exchange a foreign driver's licence
Usually, you will need to bring the following to the appointment:
- Valid identification, such as a passport or identity card
- Recent, biometric passport photo
- Your original foreign driver's licence (if it was issued outside of the EU / EEA, it needs to be valid at the time of the exchange)
- Translation of the foreign driver's licence (if applicable)
- Proof of how long you have held the driver's licence for (if this information is not given on the licence itself)
- Your certificate of registration
Additional documentation required for driver's licence categories A, A2, A1, AM, B, BE, L & T
- Proof of completion of a first aid training course
- Eye test certificate
Additional documentation required for driver's licence categories C & D
- Proof of completion of a first aid training course
- Certificate attesting to visual faculty
- Certificate attesting to physical health / fitness
Note that when you exchange your licence for a German one you will be required to surrender your foreign driver's licence. It will be sent back to the authority that issued it.
If your application is successful, a new German licence will be produced for you. This is manufactured centrally at the Federal Printing Office in Berlin. As soon as it is ready for you to pick up you will be notified. It usually takes between two and four weeks.
Renewing a German driving licence
German driving licences are valid for 15 years from the date of issue. To renew you just need to make an appointment at your local driving licence authority before your current licence expires. You will need to bring your licence and a recent passport photo. The new licence costs around 24 euros and should be ready within four weeks.
Renewing a foreign driving licence in Germany
It is not possible to renew a foreign driving licence in Germany. If you are an expat with a foreign driving licence that is about to expire, you will need to apply for a German one.
Lost or stolen driving licence
If your driving licence is lost or stolen you will need to provide some documents to the driving licensing authority to have it replaced. If you have lost it, you will need to write a statement explaining the circumstances of the loss and assuring that you will return the licence if you find it. If it was stolen you need to contact the German police to obtain a theft report.
If your licence was not issued by a German or EU licensing authority, the German authorities will need to contact the issuing authority in your home country to get your details. It may be possible to issue you with a replacement.
To obtain a replacement licence you will need to apply in person to your local licensing authority. You must bring your written statement or theft report, a form of identification and a biometric passport photo. Your new licence will be ready for you to collect in around four weeks.
