Drivers License

What do I need to know?

Having a drivers licence can be very useful. For those who live in a village or a small remote city without proper access to public transport, in particular, obtaining a drivers licence and often purchasing a car is necessary. On this page you can learn how to get a German drivers licence or transfer (“Umschreiben”) the drivers licence you have obtained from your home country. There will also be some tips on how to avoid losing your driving licence.

Is my driving licence valid in Germany?

To drive in Germany, in principle, you need a driving licence issued in Germany or another EU country. Driving licences from non-EU countries are only valid for six months in Germany. This means that you are only allowed to drive in Germany with a driving licence from your home country for the first six months. The period begins with your first official city registration in Germany. You must always carry your driving licence with you when driving.

You must also have a translation of your driving licence into German with you. The translation must have been done by a German or internationally recognized automobile club or an authority in your home country or by a sworn translator. You can find sworn translators at bdue.de. No translation is required for driving licences issued from the following countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Hong Kong, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland and Senegal. You don't need a translation for international driving licences either.

At the end of these six months, you need to transfer your driving licence ("Umschreibung") if you wish to continue driving. You can read more about the transfer process in the section "Where and how can I have my driving licence transferred?"

How and where can I register my drivers license?

If your driving licence is not issued in Germany or another EU country, you must have it transferred ("Umschreibung") at the latest six months after your first police registration in Germany.

In order to start the transfer process, you need to apply to the local Driving Licence Office (“Fahrerlaubnisbehörde” or “Führerscheinstelle”). Depending on where you live and the number of applicants, it may take a while before they process your application. Start the transfer process before your initial six months are over to make sure you do not lose time. You can find a Driving Licence Office by using the search engine www.meldebox.de. You have to go personally to a Driving Licence Office and submit various documents. Read the section "Which documents do I need for the transfer?" to find out about the required documents.

The Driving Licence Office then decides whether your driving licence can be transferred without a test, or you first have to take part in the theory and practical exams. Their decision depends on the country from which your driving licence has been issued. You can find a list of national driving licences, which are transferred without further tests, on www.gesetze-im-internet.de. If your driving licence has been issued in a country named in this list, in principle, you can have your driving licence transferred without a test. Otherwise, you often have to pass a test.

Before the exam, it makes sense to visit a driving school. Germany has numerous traffic rules and street signs. But unlike the first-timers, if you already have a driving licence issued abroad, you do not need driving lessons.

What documents do I need for the transfer?

The following documents have to be submitted along with your transfer application:

ID or passport
Registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”)
Biometric passport photo
Your eye test results (“Sehtest”) issued by an optician or ophthalmologist
Confirmation of participation in a first aid course. You can find a first aid course nearby, for instance, on ASB or Johannitern.
Original driving licence issued in your country of origin (handing in an international licence is not adequate). In principle, the driving licence must be translated into German by a sworn translator.
A statement that confirms the driving licence issued in your homeland is still valid.

Sometimes the driving licence authorities ask applicants for a certificate of good conduct (“polizeiliches Führungszeugnis”) as well. You can receive such a document from your local administration authorities or apply for it online at www.fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de.

Please note: If you are applying for driving licence classes other than A (motorcycles and alike) and B (Cars), you need to present some additional documents. You can learn more in this regard on the website of BMVI