How to Obtain a German Driving License?


 If you want to drive a car in Germany, you need a valid driver's license. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries usually require an international driver's license from their home country. To be able to drive a car in Germany, you need one of the following requirements:

 

German driver's license

International driving license with German translation attached

Driver's license issued in other EU member countries.

 

Driver's licenses from certain countries do not require a German translation. This includes all EU countries, EEA countries Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, New Zealand, Senegal, and Hong Kong.

 

Rules for stays longer than six months

If you live in Germany for more than six months and want to continue driving in Germany, you cannot use an international driver's license. An international driver's license is only valid for six months from the date of entry, after which you must present a German driver's license. This permit is valid until the last day of the half-year. EU/EEA citizens can drive a car for more than six months with their EU driver's license.

 

Get a German SIM

You can get a German driving license by transferring your national driver's license to the Citizen Registration Office in Berlin. The documents you need to convert your national driver's license to German vary by country.

 

Conversions for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Israel, United States, and South Korea

Citizens of these countries do not need to take a driving test anymore. All you have to do is pay the fee. However, for some US states, there are specific regulations - see the following list of states. You have to give up your foreign driver's license to get a German driver's license.

 

You will need the following documents to convert your license:

  • Valid residence permit
  • Original and copy of your national driver's license (!) with German translation attached
  • Confirmation of registration from the Citizen Registration Office
  • Biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm)

 

Conversions for nationals of all other countries (except EU/EEA)

At the "Motor Vehicle Traffic Technical Inspection Center," you have to take both theoretical and practical driving tests. You must take this test at a driving school. However, you are not required to take a driving course. To get a German driving license, you must surrender your foreign driver's license.

 

To apply for a conversion, you will need the following documents:

  • Valid residence permit
  • Original and copy of your national driver's license (!) with German translation attached
  • Confirmation of registration from the Citizen Registration Office
  • Proof of registration for theoretical and practical driving tests in Germany
  • Proof of enrolment in a first aid course
  • Eye test proof
  • Biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm)

 

Completing both theoretical and practical driving tests can be time-consuming. Only a few driving schools offer theory tests in English, which are usually more expensive than tests in German.

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