Foreign driver's license (EU/EEA countries): transfer

EU/EEA driver’s licenses for harmonized classes (classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE) generally do not require conversion.

A renewal is required when, after taking up residence in Germany, the validity of the driver’s license or the period of validity of the driving permit—or of individual driving permit classes—is due to be extended.

Please note: For
driver’s license classes that are valid for a limited period in Germany (Classes C and D, as well as the corresponding subclasses and trailer classes), the German validity period applies even if no validity period or a longer validity period is listed on the foreign driver’s license.

Holders of EU/EEA driver’s licenses for non-harmonized classes may drive motor vehicles within Germany within the scope of their authorization after taking up residence in Germany, as long as the foreign driver’s license is valid, but for no longer than 6 months. If you wish to continue driving a motor vehicle in Germany after that, you will need to obtain a German driver’s license based on your foreign license (known as a “conversion”). See also: Converting a Foreign Driver’s License (non-EU/EEA).

Detailed information on the recognition of foreign driver's licenses in Germany is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) under "Validity of Foreign Driver's Licenses in the Federal Republic of Germany."

There you will also find a "Fact Sheet for Holders of Foreign Driver's Licenses from EU and EEA Countries on Driver's License Regulations in the Federal Republic of Germany."

Conversion of a driver's license issued by an EU member state or a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area

Since July 1, 1996, holders of a driver’s license issued by an EU member state or a signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area have been permitted to drive motor vehicles of the class specified on that license in the Federal Republic of Germany for as long as the license remains valid. This is subject to the condition that, at the time of obtaining the driver’s license, they were not permanently residing in Germany but had resided in the issuing country for at least 185 days.

In that case, it is not necessary to exchange or transfer the driver's license.

You may voluntarily have your foreign driver’s license converted to a corresponding German driver’s license. However, in the case of foreign driver’s licenses issued for a limited period, conversion is required before the license expires (Section 30 of the Driver’s License Regulation). You can inquire with the driver’s license authority about the legal requirements and the necessary application documents.

Conversion of a Driver's License from Another Country

With a valid foreign driver’s license issued by another country, you are authorized under Section 4 of the Regulation on International Motor Vehicle Traffic to drive motor vehicles of the corresponding classes in the Federal Republic of Germany for up to 185 days. In addition to carrying your foreign driver’s license, you must also have a certified German translation of the license. No later than the expiration of the aforementioned period, you must be in possession of a German driver’s license in order to continue driving motor vehicles in the Federal Republic of Germany.

For information regarding the application process, the required application documents, the requirement to take the exam (theoretical and/or practical), or any other questions, please contact the Driver’s License Office at the following phone numbers: 0661/6006-1129 and 0661/6006-1133

• Validity of Foreign Driver's Licenses in the Federal Republic of Germany - (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure - BMVI)
• Information Sheet for Holders of Foreign Driver's Licenses from EU and EEA Countries on Driver's License Regulations in Germany - (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure - BMVI)