Foreign driving licence · Fahrschule FAHRPLAN Frankfurt
Converting a foreign driving licence in Frankfurt
Here you will find out above all what applies when exchanging a foreign category B car driving licence, which tests may be required and when you need a driving school.
The recognition, the classification according to Appendix 11 and the issuing of the German driving licence are decided solely by the driving licence office (Führerscheinstelle). FAHRPLAN is here to support you when you need to take your test: with theory preparation, practical preparation, test booking and a test vehicle. We also support you with motorcycle licences.
Sorted in a minute
Quick check: What applies to your driving licence?
Just select your country of issue – you will instantly get the answer for the car driving licence (category B), along with the applicable requirements and the next steps.
Type the first few letters – the answer appears instantly.
The system behind it
An overview of the three categories of cases
EU / EEA
Recognition still valid · Paraphrase mostly voluntary · Exams: no Driving school not necessary.
The authority examines exceptional cases under Section 28(4) of the FeV (e.g., previous revocation in Germany).
Countries with concessions
Recognition 6 months after taking up residence · Paraphrase necessary Exams: depending on the state/region/class none, one or both · Driving school required for a practical test; for a purely theoretical test you prepare yourself or use our support – the procedure depends on the process.
All other countries
Recognition 6 months after taking up residence · Paraphrase necessary Exams: Theory and practice · Driving school yes – without compulsory lessons, but with honest test preparation.
Please don't overlook this
Deadlines and special countries of origin
United Kingdom: no longer an EU case, but it is listed in Appendix 11 – exchange without tests, according to the Federal Ministry of Transport within six months of establishing residency.
Switzerland: Annex 11 with full exemption – exchange without tests, observe the six-month rule.
USA, Canada & Australia: The exact classification under Annex 11 can depend on the individual state, province or territory. The country of issue alone is therefore not always enough – use the Quick check with region selection.
The most important deadline
The six-month rule for third countries
From the reasoning of your habitual residence a valid third-country driving entitlement is still six months approved (§ 29 FeV). The application alone does not extend the time limit; anyone who continues to drive afterwards without a German driving licence is committing an offence. Extension by up to six months: only if a stay of at most twelve months is credibly demonstrated. A later application remains possible – you are no longer allowed to drive until the licence is issued.
Three points that are often overlooked
Did you get your driving licence only after moving? As a general rule, a foreign driving licence will not be recognised if you were already ordinarily resident in Germany at the time you obtained it. In that case, you will need to obtain a German driving licence rather than having your foreign licence converted.
Your foreign driving licence won't stay with you. You will only receive the German one upon surrendering the foreign one (Section 31 FeV). The authorities decide whether it is retained or returned to the issuing state.
Expired or lost? The exchange fundamentally requires a valid foreign driving licence. If yours has expired or is lost, you usually need a confirmation from the issuing authority – discuss this with the driving licence office early on.
Clear roles
That is decided by the driving licence office – and this is how FAHRPLAN supports you
The driving licence office decides
- Recognition of your foreign driving licence
- Classification under Annex 11 and whether tests are required
- necessary documents and deadlines
- Categories, conditions and harmonised codes
- Issuing a German driving licence
How FAHRPLAN supports you
- Classification of your test order
- Theory preparation with a learning app and a free pre-test
- Driving lessons and practical test preparation
- Test booking and test vehicle (automatic or manual)
- Advice on manual, automatic, B78 and B197
Step by step
This is how the licence conversion works in Frankfurt
Resolve case
Use the quick check above to determine which case group your driving licence belongs to.
Register for FAHRPLAN
Sign up with us. We will also give you the application documents you need for the driving licence office, and we will sort out your case together with you.
Submit application to the driving licence office
Submit your application, together with your supporting documents, to the Frankfurter driving licence office. It will decide on recognition, classification in accordance with Annex 11 and the required tests.
Prepare for and take the tests
If tests are required, you prepare for them with us in a targeted manner. If a practical test is coming up, the first driving lessons will show how much practice you still need. If both theory and practice are required, the theory test must be passed first. After successfully completing this, the driving licence authority will issue the German driving licence in exchange for the foreign one.
Case by case, not blanket
Documents by case group
These basic documents are frequently required
These basic documents are frequently required:
- Identity card or passport – if you identify yourself with a passport, Frankfurt also requires a current registration certificate
- Your original foreign driving licence, plus a copy if applicable
- A recent biometric passport photo
- For non-EU citizens: a valid residence permit
- Where applicable, a recognised translation
- If the date of issue is missing: if applicable, a confirmation from the issuing authority
EU / EEA
Mostly an administrative exchange without testing. For a passport, older documents or special driving licence formats, additional proof may be required.
Countries with concessions
Documents and scope of examination depend on the entry of the state, federal state, province or territory. A translation or confirmation of the date of issue may be required.
All other countries
In addition, an eye test, proof of first-aid training and the driving school application are regularly required. Theory and practical tests are fundamentally required – However, there are no mandatory driving lessons or special training drives when converting a licence.
The quick check above will show you what is precisely required in your case. The driving licence office makes the binding decision – they may request further proof in individual cases.
If examinations are necessary
Theory and practice – prepared specifically for your case
Theory test
The regular official question catalogue (category B: 30 questions, max. ten error points; two five-point mistakes = fail), in German or in twelve other languages. No compulsory lessons – you can prepare yourself or study with our learning app in one of the available test languages, and you only sit the test after the free mock test. Request theory preparation →
Practical test
With driving instructor and driving school vehicle (automatic or manual). No compulsory lessons – but genuine test readiness: In the first driving lessons it becomes clear where you stand; typical areas of focus are right of way, observation techniques, speed limits, motorways and driving independently. Request exam preparation →
Transparent instead of flat-rate
Costs and support from FAHRPLAN
In addition to the driving school costs (item on the Pricing page) you may incur fees charged by the driving licence office, TÜV test fees and costs for translation, passport photo, eye test or first-aid certificate – the exact amount depends on your procedure. You will find the current official fees directly on the official City of Frankfurt website. After categorising your case, we will show you which items really apply to you.
We can do that too
Do you want to exchange a motorcycle licence?
The authority assesses each category individually – so the scope of the test for A1, A2 or A may differ from that for category B. If motorcycle tests are required, our own will prepare you motorcycle riding school prepare for it.
Why FAHRPLAN
Four locations in Frankfurt
Bockenheim, Dornbusch, Heddernheim and Sachsenhausen.
Prepare theory and practice
We prepare you for exactly the tests listed in your test order.
Manual and automatic
Both are available – we will advise you on what makes sense for your case.
Honest assessment beforehand
If a practical exam is coming up, we'll first take a look together at where you currently stand.
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions about converting your driving licence
With a valid EU/EEA driving licence you may generally drive in Germany until its period of validity expires – exceptions may apply, among other things, in cases of residence infringements, withdrawal, a ban or special conditions. With a non-EU/EEA licence: for six months from establishing your normal residence (§ 29 FeV). For people with a residence permit under § 24 of the Residence Act from Ukraine, Regulation (EU) 2022/1280 applies.
No. The application alone does not extend the driving authorisation. An extension of up to six months is only available upon application to the driving licence authority – and only if you can credibly demonstrate that you will be living in Germany for a maximum of twelve months.
As a rule no – you do not have to convert a valid EU/EEA driving licence straight away. An exchange may become necessary, among other things, if the document expires or is lost – and because of the statutory exchange deadlines for older licence documents: by 19 January 2033 all driving licences in the EU are to comply with the standardised card format; whether and when your document is due depends on the staggered deadlines and on the rules of the issuing state. Exceptions (e.g. withdrawal in Germany, a learner licence) are assessed individually by the authority.
An official list of states (in some cases by federal state or province) whose driving licences are privileged during exchange: depending on the entry, the theory test, the practical test – or both – are waived. Our quick check above reflects this list; the driving licence authority makes the binding decision.
EU/EEA: no. Appendix 11: depending on the entry. Other third countries: yes. If it is required, the standard questionnaire for your licence category applies – which can be taken in German and twelve foreign languages.
Also case-dependent: other third countries yes, Appendix 11 depending on the entry (e.g. Moldova), EU/EEA no. You will take the practical test with a driving instructor in the driving school vehicle.
At one practical test: yes – for preparation, driving instructor, test vehicle and registration. In the event of a theory test only no complete driving school training is prescribed; whether formal registration is needed follows from your procedure – we are happy to support you with the preparation. For purely administrative exchanges (EU/EEA, many Annex 11 cases) you do not need a driving school.
No – no special driving sessions, no minimum number of hours (the city Frankfurt expressly does not require proof of special driving sessions). However, your driving instructor must be satisfied with your driving ability before the test; the first few driving lessons will show how much practice is needed.
Yes. B78 is not a separate category, but a restriction to vehicles without a clutch pedal; a test conducted solely on an automatic transmission may result in this restriction. Whether code 197 (automatic test plus manual driving training and a test drive – followed by driving both) can be entered in your application instead must be clarified with the test centre and the driving licence authority before the test. More information on the website B197 and B78.
That depends on whether you need zero, one or two tests. Alongside the driving school fees (see Pricing page) you may be required to pay fees charged by the driving licence office, TÜV test fees and costs for translation, passport photo, eye test or first-aid certificate – the exact amount depends on your procedure. Once we have classified your case we show you which items really apply.
Your next step
Prepare your required examinations with us
Theory test required? Theory preparation with learning app and pre-test.
Practical test needed? Driving lessons and targeted preparation.
Both exams? Complete preparation from a single source.
Still unclear? Get in touch with us first. We will assess your case and give you the application documents for the driving licence office.
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