Our employees only speak German in the office and on the phone.

Rewriting foreign driving licences - non-EU/EEA Mobilität und Fahrzeuge

You have not obtained your driver's license in Germany, but

  • acquired it before entering Germany or
  • acquired it as an exchange student?

  • Basic information

    Driving licenses that were legally acquired outside the EU/EEA entitle the holder to drive motor vehicles of the classes issued for a period of six months from the date of establishing normal residence within the Federal Republic of Germany. If the foreign driving license is limited in time, this authorization is only valid until the expiry date.
    So that you can continue to use your driving license in the Federal Republic of Germany after this period has expired, the foreign driving license must be converted into a German driving license.
    If you have a valid Ukrainian driving license and entered the country on or after 24.02.2022, you do not need to have your driving license converted until further notice. This regulation applies at least as long as the temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens exists.
    If you entered the country before 24.02.2022, a case-by-case examination must take place. This also applies if your driving license has expired, you have lost your driving license or your driving license has been stolen. In these cases, please contact the driving license authority. Further information on this topic can be found under "Further information".

    Requirements

    Due to the complexity of the matter, please contact the relevant driver licensing authority.

  • Procedure

    The application must be made in person.

    More information

    More detailed information can be obtained from the driver licensing authority.

  • Necessary Documents
    • Foreign driving licence with official translation (the driving licence must not have expired for more than 3 years)

      The translation is not required for driving licences from Switzerland.

    • if necessary, proof of stays abroad
    • Proof of identity

      (Presentation of a valid identity card or passport)

    • Important information about the photo booths in all offices of the Citizen's Office:
      • The machines are operated by outside companies and often do not work. It cannot be guaranteed that passport photos can be taken on site. We advise you to bring passport photos to the appointment.
    • for classes C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E:
      • Certificate of a visual examination according to Annex 6 No. 2 to the Ordinance on driving licences according to the prescribed model (not older than 2 years at the time of application)
      • Certificate of medical examination in accordance with Annex 5 to the Driving Licence Ordinance according to the prescribed model
      • Certificate of a supplementary medical examination in accordance with Annex 5 No. 2 to the Driving Licence Ordinance. The certificates on the medical examinations may not be older than one year at the time of application.
    • for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L or T:
      • Vision test certificate of an optician.
      • If the eye test is not passed, a certificate of an ophthalmological examination of the eyesight according to Annex 6 No. 1.2 of the Driving Licence Ordinance must be presented.
      • not older than 2 years
    • Proof of training in first aid
    • Passport photo
      • According to the specifications on the photo sample board.
    • Name of the driving school with which the theoretical and practical driving test is to be taken

  • Competent Department

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    37,50 EUR bis 65,00 EUR

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    6 months In the case of driving licenses from a non-EU/EEA country, the driving authorization expires after 6 months from the establishment of residence in the Federal Republic of Germany. Upon application, the driving license authority may extend the period by up to 6 months if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he or she will not have their normal place of residence in Germany for longer than 12 months.

    How long does it take to process

    4 weeks bis 6 weeks

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 07.11.2025

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