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Special provisions apply to holders of foreign driving licences in the Driving Licence Ordinance.

Are you the holder of a valid foreign driving licence and have established a residence in Germany? Then you must apply for a German driving licence within 6 months.

Holders of a valid foreign driving licence (non-EU/EEA member state) may drive motor vehicles in Germany without limitation within the scope of their entitlement if they do not have a normal residence in Germany. If there is a reason for residence in Germany, the entitlement is only valid for a period of 6 months. Thereafter, the issuance of a German driving license on the basis of the foreign driving license is required (so-called transfer).

Hint:

EU or EEA driving licences of harmonised driving licence categories do not require any rewriting and can be used without a time limit. This concerns driving licence categories A to BE.

Card driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are limited to 15 years. However, the time limit only applies to the driving licence document. This must be renewed every 15 years. Regular medical examinations or other examinations are not associated with the exchange of documents.

The application must be made in writing.

• Application form (to be created by the driving licence authority)
• Photo ID (identity card, passport, displaced persons ID)
• If applicable, registration certificate from the residents' registration office responsible for the main residence
• Photograph that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance
• Valid foreign driving licence with official translation ]
• in the case of a third-country driving licence that is not listed in Annex 11 of the Driving Licence Ordinance, depending on the category applied for: additionally
  • Certificate or report on physical and mental fitness
  • Certificate or report on vision or an eye test certificate
  • Proof of participation in a training course in first aid
  • Indication of the driving school, as you must also take the theoretical and/or practical driving test

All other application documents depend on the category of driving licence to be converted and on the state which issued the licence. Further information can be obtained from your competent driving licence authority.

Holders of a valid foreign driving licence may drive motor vehicles in Germany for a period of 6 months within the scope of their entitlement if they do not have a normal residence in Germany. Upon request, the driving licence office may extend the period by up to six months. To do this, you must prove that you will not be resident in Germany for more than twelve months.

To apply for the transfer, you must appear in person at the driving licence authority of the district or city in which you have your main residence.

Available from the driving licence authority.