Can you drive in Germany right now?
The answer depends on whether you're visiting or living in Germany.
If you're visiting Germany
Your foreign driving licence is valid in Germany for the duration of your visit. Temporary licences and learner's permits are not accepted.
In most cases you'll need either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation of your licence alongside the original. Exceptions: licences from EU/EEA countries, Andorra, Hong Kong, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Senegal, or Switzerland, or licences already in German don't need a translation.
If you've moved to Germany
Once you establish legal residence in Germany, your foreign driving licence is valid for exactly 6 months from the date you registered your address (Anmeldung). After those 6 months, it is no longer recognised by German authorities and you must not drive.
Exception: If your licence is from an EU or EEA country, it remains valid until its own expiry date — no conversion deadline applies.
Who can convert — and who can't
The process varies significantly depending on where your licence was issued. Germany divides countries into three categories:
Category 1: EU and EEA countries
No tests or courses required. You exchange your licence directly at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office). The only practical requirement is that your licence must still be valid (an expired EU/EEA licence can still be converted — see below). This applies to all EU member states and EEA countries including Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Category 2: Annex 11 countries
These countries have bilateral agreements with Germany. The exact requirements depend on the specific country — some need a theory exam, some a practical test, some neither.
Countries in this category include:
- Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, French Polynesia
- Canada (most provinces)
- USA (certain states — check your specific state)
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore
- Switzerland, Israel, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino
- South Africa, Namibia
- Isle of Man, Channel Islands
Category 3: All other countries
If your country isn't in the EU/EEA or Annex 11, you must complete the full pre-conversion checklist:
- Take a first aid course (Erste-Hilfe-Kurs, ~9 hours)
- Get an eye test (Sehtest)
- Pass a theory exam (Theorieprüfung)
- Pass a practical driving test (Fahrprüfung)
In practice, Category 3 applicants often need to enrol at a Fahrschule for at least some theory and practical lessons. You can't book the theory exam independently — it must be done through a licensed driving school.
Step-by-step conversion process
Step 1: Register your address (Anmeldung)
Before anything else, register your address at the local Bürgeramt. You'll receive an Anmeldebestätigung (registration certificate) — this document is required for the licence conversion and starts the 6-month clock on your foreign licence.
Step 2: Check your country's specific requirements
Look up your country in Germany's official Annex 11 list, or ask at your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority). The requirements are country-specific and occasionally change.
Step 3: Take a first aid course (if required)
If your licence is not from an EU, EEA, or Annex 11 country, you must take a 9-hour first aid course. This is typically run by the German Red Cross, Malteser, or private first-aid schools. Cost: approximately €60–€80.
English-language first aid courses are available in most major cities. Ask your Fahrschule for recommendations.
Step 4: Get an eye test (if required)
Also required for non-EU/EEA/Annex-11 applicants. Takes a few minutes and costs less than €10 at an optometrist (Optiker). Fielmann opticians offer free eye tests. Some first aid course providers also include the eye test — ask when you book.
Step 5: Get a certified translation (if required)
If your licence is not from an EU/EEA country and is not in German or English (in Berlin, English is accepted; in some other cities, only certified translations are accepted), you'll need a certified translation from a sworn translator or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Certified translation providers: ADAC, Red Tape Translation, LingoKing. Cost: approximately €50–€70.
Step 6: Book a Bürgeramt appointment
Book an appointment at your local Bürgeramt. In Berlin, appointments can be scarce — the next available slot may be several weeks away. Book as early as possible, ideally before you even complete the other steps.
Step 7: Attend your appointment
The appointment itself takes only a few minutes. Bring all required documents (see checklist below). The Bürgeramt forwards your file to the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, which verifies your documents with your home country's embassy.
You pay the conversion fee of €37.50 at the appointment (cash or Girocard; Visa/Mastercard sometimes accepted, check ahead).
In Berlin, you keep your foreign licence while you wait — they only take it when you collect your German licence.
Step 8: Wait
Processing time varies by city:
- Berlin: 2–4 months
- Other German cities: 2–6 weeks
You don't need to do anything during this time. You'll receive a letter by post when your German licence is ready.
Step 9: Pick up your German driving licence
Book an appointment at the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde to collect your licence. Bring your passport. They'll take your foreign licence at this point and hand over your new German Führerschein.
Complete cost breakdown
Costs depend on which country your licence is from. Here's a full overview:
EU/EEA applicants: minimum cost is ~€47.50 (fee + photo).
Non-EU/EEA/Annex-11 applicants: budget €155–€200 total, before any driving lessons.
Timeline: how long does it take?
The total time depends on two things: your location and your country of origin.
- EU/EEA in a smaller German city: as little as 4–6 weeks
- EU/EEA in Berlin: 10–16 weeks (mostly waiting for Bürgeramt appointment and processing)
- Annex 11 country: add 2–6 weeks for any required exams
- Non-Annex 11 country: add 4–12 weeks for first aid, eye test, theory lessons, theory exam, and practical lessons and exam
The bottleneck in Berlin is almost always the Bürgeramt appointment — not the processing. Book your appointment as early as possible, even before you have all your documents ready.
Documents checklist
Required for everyone
- Original foreign driving licence (not a copy; must be valid for non-EU licences)
- Photocopy of your foreign driving licence
- Passport or Personalausweis
- Biometric passport photo (~€10 at any photo studio)
- Registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung)
- Payment: €37.50 (cash or Girocard)
Additional — if your licence is not from EU/EEA
- Certified translation or International Driving Permit (in Berlin, English-language licences are also accepted)
Additional — if your country requires pre-conversion testing
- First aid course certificate (Erste-Hilfe-Bescheinigung)
- Eye test certificate (Sehtest-Bescheinigung)
Common questions
Can I convert an expired licence?
If your licence is from an EU or EEA country, yes — expired EU/EEA licences can still be converted. For all other countries, your licence must still be valid at the time of conversion.
Can I convert a motorcycle or truck licence?
EU/EEA motorcycle and truck licences convert without issue. For non-EU/EEA countries, it depends. For example, Canadian motorcycle licences cannot currently be converted — you'd need to take the German motorcycle licence from scratch. Always verify with the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde for your specific licence class and country.
My licence is from before I moved to Germany — is that okay?
Yes — and importantly, you must have obtained your licence before you moved to Germany. You cannot move to Germany, go back home to get a licence, then convert it. The authorities verify this with your home country's embassy.
Do I need to study for the theory exam during conversion?
If your country requires a theory exam as part of the conversion process, yes. The exam is exactly the same as the one new applicants take: 30 questions from the official BAST pool, penalty-point scoring, available in English. Road Intelligence covers all 1,030 questions with bilingual explanations — use it to prepare.
Need to pass the theory exam as part of your conversion?
Road Intelligence has all 1,030 official Führerschein questions, bilingual EN/DE explanations, and a full exam simulator. Free to start — no credit card required.