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Transferring a Foreign Driver's License

As the holder of a foreign driving license, you can obtain a German driving license more easily under certain conditions. To do this, contact the driving license authority responsible for your place of residence in Germany (= district administrative authority).

Facilitations are granted depending on the issuing country of the national driving license when applying after establishing a regular residence in the Federal Republic of Germany. Other documents also depend on the issuing country.

As the holder of a foreign driving license, you can obtain a German driving license more easily under certain conditions.

§§ 28- 31 FeV

  • valid identity card or passport
  • current biometric photograph (frontal view)
  • driver's license

  • You hold a foreign driver's license.
  • You are applying for the corresponding German driver’s license.
  • Your foreign driver’s license is valid or has previously authorized you to drive motor vehicles in Germany.
  • If there are doubts about your knowledge and skills, a driver’s license exam may be required.
  • For certain license classes, a medical examination or an eye exam may be required.
  • If your foreign driver’s license is restricted to certain types of vehicles, the German driver’s license will be restricted accordingly.

Member State of the European Union or the EEA

  • The driver’s license must correspond to the class applied for.

Country outside the European Economic Area

  • You must provide proof of your driver’s license by presenting your national driver’s license.
  • You must include a statement confirming that your driver’s license is still valid.

An exception to this rule applies to the “Annex 11 countries.” The following non-EU or non-EEA countries are considered “Annex 11 countries”:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • French Polynesia
  • Gibraltar
  • Guernsey
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Canada
  • Kosovo
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Namibia
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Korea
  • Republic of North Macedonia
  • San Marino
  • Switzerland
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • United States of America (USA)

If your driver’s license is from a country listed in Appendix 11, simplified rules may apply for the conversion.

  • Transfer of an EU driving license: approx. 30 euros
  • Transfer of a third-country driving license: approx. 45 euros
  • Extract from the Federal Central Criminal Register or other documents (e.g. medical certificates), if applicable

The process varies depending on the relevant agency. Generally, the procedure may proceed as follows: 

  • You apply to have your foreign driver’s license converted at the appropriate driver’s license authority.
  • You provide proof of your foreign driver’s license.
  • If your driver’s license is not from a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, you must include a statement confirming that your driver’s license is still valid.
  • The driver’s license authority will determine whether your foreign driver’s license can be accepted for the class you’re applying for.
  • The driver’s license authority will check whether any exemptions apply to your driver’s license.
  • If medical examinations are required for certain driver’s license classes, you must provide proof of these.
  • If there is evidence to suggest that you no longer possess the required knowledge and skills, the driver’s license authority may require you to take a driver’s license exam.
  • If your foreign driver’s license is restricted in scope, the German driver’s license will be restricted accordingly.
  • If your application is approved, you will receive your German driver’s license only upon surrendering your foreign driver’s license.
  • Depending on the circumstances, the driver’s license authority will either return the foreign driver’s license to the issuing authority or hold it in safekeeping.

for the transfer of the driver's license: none

Please note: If you have a driving license from a country that is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you may only drive a motor vehicle for six months after taking up residence in Germany!

  • Appeal
    For more information, please refer to your notice
  • Lawsuit before the administrative court

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Source: Serviceportal Saarland