Converting a Foreign Driving License in Germany

Researched from official sources · March 25, 2026

Converting a Foreign Driving License in Germany

Estimated time

2-8 weeks (depending on country of origin)

Cost

€38-400

Before you start

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Proof of address (Anmeldebestätigung)
  • Residence permit (non-EU citizens)
  • First aid certificate (Erste-Hilfe-Bescheinigung) — only if required to take driving test, EUR 20-40

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Check If Your License Qualifies for Direct Conversion

    1. Check whether your country appears in Anlage 11 zur FeV (the federal list of recognised foreign licences)
    2. Full conversion (no test): EU/EEA, plus countries listed in Anlage 11 — Australia, Canada (all provinces), Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK, Israel, Taiwan, South Africa, and others
    3. Theory test only: 11 US states plus DC (CT, DC, FL, IN, MN, MS, MO, NE, NC, OR, TN)
    4. Both theory and practical tests required: most other countries, including most US states not listed above

    💡 Tip: Anlage 11 zur FeV is the binding list — when in doubt, check the gesetze-im-internet.de text rather than an unofficial summary.

  2. 2

    Get Your License Translated

    1. If your license is not in German or English, get a certified translation from ADAC
    2. Translations cost EUR 30-75, ready within 1-5 business days

    💬 Say:

    Ich brauche eine beglaubigte Übersetzung meines Führerscheins.

    ikh brow-kheh ay-neh beh-glow-bikh-teh ü-ber-zet-zoong my-nes fü-rer-shines

    "I need a certified translation of my driving license."

    📋 Use when: Visiting the ADAC office for a translation

  3. 3

    Complete the Eye Test

    Sehtest

    1. Walk into any optician and ask for a Sehtest for your Führerschein — no appointment needed, 10 minutes, EUR 6-7

    💬 Say:

    Ich brauche einen Sehtest für den Führerschein.

    ikh brow-kheh ay-nen zeh-test fuer den fü-rer-shine

    "I need an eye test for the driving license."

    📋 Use when: Walking into an optician for the required eye test

  4. 4

    Get a Biometric Photo

    1. One biometric passport photo (35mm × 45mm)
    2. Photo booth at U-Bahn/S-Bahn station (EUR 6-8) or photography studio (EUR 10-15)
  5. 5

    Submit Your Application at the Führerscheinstelle

    Führerscheinstelle

    1. Book an appointment at your local Führerscheinstelle
    2. Bring all documents from the checklist
    3. The clerk reviews your application and tells you if tests are required

    ⚠️ Watch out: Appointments can be booked weeks in advance. Book early — your 6-month deadline starts from your Anmeldung date.

  6. 6

    Take Tests If Required

    1. Theoretical test: 30 multiple-choice questions, available in English, pass mark 90%
    2. Practical test: 45-minute driving test with an examiner

    ⚠️ Watch out: The theoretical test has Germany-specific questions about road signs and speed limits. About 30% of first-time takers fail. Study with apps like Führerschein or Fahrschulcard.

  7. 7

    Receive Your German License

    Führerschein

    1. German license arrives by mail in 4-6 weeks
    2. Your foreign license is kept by the authority and returned when you leave Germany

    💡 Tip: The Führerscheinstelle issues a temporary driving permit valid for 3 months while you wait.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Application fee (Führerscheinstelle) €37.5–€45.1 EC card or bank transfer Paid when submitting the application
Certified translation (ADAC) €30–€75 Cash or card at ADAC office — Waived if: License already in English or German
Biometric photo €6–€15 Cash or card Photo booths are cheapest (€6-8)
Eye test (Sehtest) €6–€7 Cash or card Available at any optician, no appointment needed
Theoretical test (Optional) €22–€25 Bank transfer or card Available in English Waived if: License from a country with reciprocal agreement
Practical test (Optional) €100–€130 Through driving school — Waived if: License from a country with reciprocal agreement
Driving school lessons (Optional) €100–€300 Varies 2-5 lessons typically enough for experienced drivers
Application fee (Führerscheinstelle) €37.5–€45.1
Payment:
EC card or bank transfer
Notes:
Paid when submitting the application
Certified translation (ADAC) €30–€75
Payment:
Cash or card at ADAC office
Waived if:
License already in English or German
Biometric photo €6–€15
Payment:
Cash or card
Notes:
Photo booths are cheapest (€6-8)
Eye test (Sehtest) €6–€7
Payment:
Cash or card
Notes:
Available at any optician, no appointment needed
Theoretical test (Optional) €22–€25
Payment:
Bank transfer or card
Notes:
Available in English
Waived if:
License from a country with reciprocal agreement
Practical test (Optional) €100–€130
Payment:
Through driving school
Waived if:
License from a country with reciprocal agreement
Driving school lessons (Optional) €100–€300
Payment:
Varies
Notes:
2-5 lessons typically enough for experienced drivers
Total: €79.5

FAQ

General

How long can I drive with my foreign license in Germany?

If you're a resident: 6 months from the date of your Anmeldung. After that, your foreign license is invalid for driving in Germany and you must have a German license. EU/EEA licenses are exempt — they're valid indefinitely. Tourists (non-residents) can drive with their foreign license plus an International Driving Permit for up to 12 months.

Which countries have reciprocal agreements with Germany?

Full conversion without test: EU/EEA countries, plus the third countries listed in Anlage 11 zur FeV — including Australia, Canada (all provinces, class 5 or equivalent), Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the UK. Theory test only: 11 US states plus the District of Columbia (Connecticut, DC, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee). All other US states require both theoretical and practical tests, as do most other countries not listed in Anlage 11. Check Anlage 11 zur FeV (gesetze-im-internet.de) for the current full list.

Can I take the theoretical test in English?

Yes! The theoretical test is available in 12 languages including English. It consists of 30 multiple-choice questions — you need 90% correct to pass. Study materials in English are widely available through apps like 'Führerschein' or 'Fahrschulcard'. Most questions are about German-specific traffic rules and road signs.

What if my foreign license has expired?

An expired license complicates the process significantly. You may not be able to convert it and might need to start from scratch (full driving school, both tests). Contact your country's embassy first to see if they can renew it, or check with the Führerscheinstelle about your options. Rules vary by country of origin.

After This Process

  • → Car rental — German agencies prefer a German license over international permits
  • → Car purchase and registration — you'll need the license for Kfz-Zulassung
  • → Insurance — your driving history from your home country can sometimes reduce premiums

Sources

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4 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-06

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  1. T1
    Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) — Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung 2026-05-06

    Holders of a non-EU/EEA foreign driving licence may continue to drive in Germany for six more months after taking up ordinary residence (besteht die Berechtigung noch sechs Monate); the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde may extend this period on application by up to a further six months if the applicant shows they will not stay longer than twelve months in total.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  2. T1
    Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) — Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung 2026-05-06

    EU/EEA driving licences are recognised in Germany when the holder takes ordinary residence, but recognition is subject to the German validity rules for classes C, C1, CE, C1E, D, D1, DE (FeV §28 Abs. 3) and is excluded in the cases listed in §28 Abs. 4 (e.g. licence withdrawn, residence in Germany when issued, certain learner permits).

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  3. T1
    Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) — Anlage 11 zur FeV 2026-05-06

    Anlage 11 lists the third countries and sub-jurisdictions whose driving licences may be exchanged in Germany without theory or practical test (e.g. Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Taiwan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Australian states, Canadian provinces) and the US states whose licences require only a theoretical test (Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee). All US states not listed in Anlage 11 require both theoretical and practical test.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  4. T1
    Land Berlin — Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO), Fahrerlaubnisbehörde 2026-05-06

    For the Umschreibung einer ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis (Drittstaaten) in Berlin, the fee is EUR 37,50 without examination and EUR 45,10 with examination. Required documents include Personalausweis oder Pass, one current biometric paper photo, the original valid foreign licence, a translation if not in German or English, an eye test (Sehtest) for car/motorcycle classes, and proof of first-aid training (Erste-Hilfe-Schulung). The responsible authority is LABO Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, Puttkamerstr. 16-18, 10969 Berlin.

    service.berlin.de
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