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Guide · Converting a driving licence
Foreign driving licence in Germany: When must the driving licence be exchanged?
Do you need to have your foreign driving licence converted, what documents do you need and how much does the conversion cost?
Moving to the Federal Republic of Germany raises many questions, especially if you already hold a foreign driving licence. Am I allowed to keep driving? Do I have to have my licence converted at the driving licence authority? And what deadlines apply for the new licence?
According to the German Driving Licence Ordinance, everything depends on the country in which your driving licence was issued, whether you establish a residence and which categories you hold.
In this post, you'll learn step by step how the conversion works, what documents are required, and how to have your driving licence converted without any problems.
In a nutshell
- EU and EEA driving licences generally remain valid; a conversion is only necessary upon expiry or in special cases.
- For third countries, the 6-month rule applies: after that, you must exchange your driving licence.
- Some countries (so-called listed countries) benefit from simplified test procedures according to Annex 11 of the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV).
- Documents are always mandatory. You only need an eye test and a first aid course for driving licences from countries outside the EU and EEA that are not listed with your category in Annex 11 FeV (Section 31(2) FeV). For EU/EEA licences and Annex 11 categories, both are not required (Section 30(1), Section 31(1) FeV).
- Fahrschule FAHRPLAN prepares you for the theory and practical tests and registers you for them. The tests are conducted by the official testing body (Technische Prüfstelle).
Foreign driving licence: Do I need to have my driving licence converted?
If you live in Germany and obtained your driving licence in a non-EU/EEA country, you are only allowed to drive with it for 6 months. After that, you must have it exchanged and can then continue driving with your newly issued licence.
For drivers with an EU/EEA driving licence, it is somewhat simpler: the European driving licence remains valid and moving to Germany does not require a conversion. Irrespective of this, under EU law all driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 – paper and card licences alike – must be exchanged by 19 January 2033 at the latest; some countries have set earlier, staggered deadlines.
You hold a German driving licence and only need to swap the old document? That is not a conversion but the mandatory exchange. Card licences issued from 2002 to 2004 must be exchanged by 19 January 2027; if you were born before 1953, by 19 January 2033 (Annex 8e FeV). Deadlines, costs and procedure: Guide: exchanging your driving licence
Holders of driving licences from the countries listed in Annex 11 of the FeV also have it slightly easier than drivers from third countries: in some cases, the licence can be converted without having to take a test at all.
EU / EEA vs non-EU countries: The key differences
EU/EEA: Rights & exchange deadlines for old driving licences
As the holder of an EU or EEA driving licence, you are generally permitted to drive in Germany and within the EU without converting it. Even though you now have your residence in Germany, your driving licence remains valid.
This applies to all categories. However, the German rules on the period of validity apply to the lorry and bus categories: even with an EU driving licence, they are valid for a maximum of five years (§ 28 Abs. 3 FeV).
Feel free to contact us and we’ll discuss your individual case.
Third countries: 6-month rule and exceptions for converting driving licences
For driving licences from non-EU/EEA states, the following applies: upon establishing your place of residence in Germany, you are only allowed to drive for 6 months. After that, you must have your driving licence converted, otherwise you risk driving without a licence. In Germany, this is considered a criminal offence.
ExceptionsSome countries listed in Appendix 11 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV) allow for a simplified exchange:
- USA (state-dependent)
- Canada
- Australia
- Japan
- Switzerland
The list includes significantly more states: since 18 August 2026 also the Ukraine and Montenegro, alongside Albania, Israel, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Moldova, among others – partly with no examination at all, partly with only one of the two examinations. For third countries that are not listed in Annex 11 of the FeV, both a theoretical and a practical test are required. Which case applies to you is shown by the Quick check on the licence exchange page. Driving lessons aren’t compulsory – but they’re still worthwhile: Fahrschule FAHRPLAN supports you with registration, preparation and the test.
Step by step: how the conversion of a foreign driving licence works
Step 1: Check whether a test is required
- Listed countriesIt is possible that no additional check is necessary
- third countriesTheory and practical test required, which you can book directly at our driving school
- EU/EEAYour driving licence remains valid
Step 2: Apply at the driving licence office
- Attend in person at the licensing office or the competent driving licence authority
- Proof of residence in Germany must be provided
Step 3: Documents & forms
- Original driving licence
- Official translation (if necessary)
- Eye test certificate (only for driving licences under Section 31(2) FeV, not EU/EEA, no Annex 11 category)
- First aid course certificate (only for driving licences under Section 31(2) FeV, not EU/EEA, no Annex 11 category)
- Biometric passport photo
- as applicable, medical reports for special classes
Step 4: Theory and practical test at the official testing body
- Mandatory for third countries
- No mandatory driving lessons, but proof of test readiness must be demonstrated
- Fahrschule FAHRPLAN supports you with both tests
Fees & Processing Time
| Post | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Converting the driving licence (authority) | €35–€50 | dependent on local authority |
| Translation | €20–€50 | depending on the language and provider |
| eye test | usually a few euros | Car/motorcycle; only mandatory for driving licences under Section 31(2) FeV (non-EU/EEA, no Annex 11 category) |
| First-aid course | €20–€50 | one-off; only mandatory for driving licences under Section 31(2) FeV (non-EU/EEA, no Annex 11 category) |
Save time and hassle: Fahrschule FAHRPLAN in Frankfurt advises you on all cost items and supports you with registration and exams.
International driving permit: When is it required?
An international driving permit does not replace your national driving licence. It is only valid together with the original and never for longer than the original (§ 25b(4), § 29(2) FeV).
With a foreign driving licence in Germany
- It does not extend the 6-month period: if you live here, you still have to have a licence from a country outside the EU and EEA converted in time.
- A foreign licence that is not issued in German, does not come from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland and does not follow the model of the 1968 Vienna Convention generally needs a translation. You can also prove your driving entitlement with an international driving permit together with your national licence (§ 29(2) FeV).
Travelling abroad with a German driving licence
- Whether you need one depends on the rules of the country you are travelling to, so check before you go.
- You can apply for it from the age of 18 at the driving licence authority. You need a card licence of the model used since 1999 and a biometric passport photo (§ 25a FeV).
- With an old paper licence you will not get an international driving permit. Exchange it first: Guide: exchanging your driving licence
- It is valid for a maximum of three years (model under the 1968 Vienna Convention) or one year (model under the 1926 Paris Convention).
- The authority fee is €11.20 to €15.30 (German fee schedule for road traffic measures, GebOSt, no. 207).
Our range of services
Your benefits at Fahrschule FAHRPLAN:
- Experienced and patient driving instructors: We tailor our approach to suit you.
- Modern vehicles: Learn in modern cars (manual and automatic).
- Flexible lesson times: We will find suitable dates for your driving lessons together.
- Transparent pricing: Fair conditions with no hidden costs.
- Optimal exam preparation: We prepare you specifically for theory and practice.
- Good accessibility: Our branch is centrally located in Frankfurt-Bockenheim, near Kirchplatz and Westbahnhof.
Common mistakes & how to avoid them
- Expired driving licence
- Translation not carried
- Waiting too long after 6 months
- Errors in forms / eyesight test / first aid
FAQ – Driving licence exchange in Germany
How long am I allowed to drive in Germany with a foreign driving licence?
If you establish your residence in Germany, holders of a third-country driving licence are allowed to drive for a maximum of six months before converting it to a German driving licence becomes compulsory. EU or EEA driving licences generally remain valid even after establishing residency.
What documents do I need?
To convert a foreign driving licence, you need the original driving licence, an official translation (as a rule, if the licence is not issued in German and not from the EU or the EEA), your identity card or passport, a recent registration certificate, a biometric passport photo and – only for driving licences under Section 31(2) FeV, i.e. not from the EU or the EEA and not in an Annex 11 category – an eye test certificate and proof of a first-aid course. For certain classes or countries, a medical report may additionally be required.
Are tests always required?
No, tests depend on the country of origin of your licence. For EU and EEA licences, tests are generally not necessary. Licences from so-called Annex 11 states can sometimes be exchanged without a test, while other third countries require a theory and practical test.
Can I extend the 6-month period?
Yes, under certain conditions, the 6-month period for non-EU/EEA driving licences can be extended. This is possible if the stay in Germany is expected to last less than 12 months and a corresponding application is submitted to the competent driving licence authority.
What happens if I miss the conversion deadline?
Anyone who continues to drive with a foreign driving licence after the deadline has expired, without having had it converted into a German driving licence, is driving without a licence. This is a criminal offence (§ 21 StVG) and can be punished with a fine or imprisonment. In the event of an accident, the motor third-party liability insurance still pays for the other party’s damage, but it can claim back up to 5,000 euros from the driver (§ 5 KfzPflVV, § 117 VVG).
Also in other matters – like Tips for passing the theory driving test, the practical test, questions about Driving licence disqualification or much more – Fahrschule FAHRPLAN is your point of contact!
Click here for the standard driving licence training process: This is how you get your driving licence.