How to Get Your German Driver’s License
Driving in Germany is practically a national past time. But just because you’ve got a valid driver’s license from your home country, doesn’t mean you’re necessarily allowed to drive in Germany.
If you’re a new German residents hoping to get behind the wheel for a drive down the famous German Autobahn, make sure you’ve got proper authorization.
How do I know if I can drive in Germany? There are many different factors, read on to see what you need to do (if anything) to drive in Germany.
I have a driver’s license from an EU or EEA country.
If you have a driver’s license from any country in the European Union or the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), you’re good to go! Your license is fully recognized in Germany. There’s nothing you need to do.
However, if you’d like to get a German driver’s license, or if your current EU or EEA license is expiring, you can apply for a new German one. Just make an appointment at your local Führerscheinstelle, which is usually in the Bürgeramt or Rathaus, and bring along:
- passport
- certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)
- recent passport photo
- current driver’s license + copy, with German translation
- €35-40 fee
If you live in Berlin, you can book an appointment here.
I have a driver’s license from Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, or another country on Germany’s reciprocity list.
If you have a driver’s license from a non-EU/EEA country on Germany’s “Annex 11” list, you are in luck. Germany has a reciprocity agreement with these countries, which makes the transfer process quite simple. Basically, you can swap your current driver’s license for a German one. The complete list of these countries can be found here.
Make an appointment at your local Führerscheinstelle, and along with your application, bring along:
- passport
- certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)
- recent passport photo
- current driver’s license + copy, along with a German translation
- €35-40 fee
If you live in Berlin, you can book an appointment here.
Note for Australian drivers: if your driver’s license was issued in Capital Territory, New South Sales, Northern Territory, Queensland, or Western Australia, you will also need to bring proof of a recent vision test. Also, Australian drivers with a license that does not state the date of issue, may need to provide a driving history report. Learn how to get that here: germany.embassy.gov.au
I have a driver’s license from the USA.
If you have an American driver’s license, first check to see if your license was issued in a state with reciprocity with Germany. Twenty-seven states as well as the territory of Puerto Rico have an agreement with Germany allowing you to simply swap your driver’s license for a German one.
The process will be quite easy for you to get your German driver’s license if you currently have a valid driver’s license from one of these states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington State, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Puerto Rico
Note that your current US driver’s license must be valid for at least 6 months before Germany will allow you to swap it out.
Make an appointment at your local Führerscheinstelle, and along with your application, bring along:
- passport
- certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)
- recent passport photo
- your current driver’s license + copy, along with a German translation
- €35-40 fee
If you live in Berlin, you can book an appointment here.
I have a US license from New York, California, or another state or country not on Germany’s reciprocity list.
If you are in possession of a driver’s license that wasn’t issued in one of the states or countries with reciprocity, the process of converting your US or other “third country” driver’s license to a German one will be a bit more complicated.
US states with partial reciprocity
Some states have what’s called partial reciprocity with Germany, meaning that if you have a license from one of these states, you only have to take the written test. No need to take the road test.
US states with partial reciprocity include: Connecticut, Indiana, Florida, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia.
If your driver’s license was issued in one of these states, you will need to pass the written exam before you get your German driver’s license. But before you take the test, there are a few things you need to check off your list.
First, register at a driving school where you can take the written test. Then take a first aid course. Then, have your eyes checked at any Optiker. Finally, book an appointment at your local Führerscheinstelle (here if you live in Berlin) and along with your application bring:
- passport
- certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)
- recent passport photo
- your current driver’s license + copy, along with a German translation
- proof of registration at driving school
- certificate of vision test (sometimes required)
- €35-40 fee
Once you’ve applied at the Führerscheinstelle, you can start preparing to take the theoretical written test, which should cost about €40 and can be taken in English, usually for a higher fee.
The test consists of 30 questions, which are taken from a list of 1,000. You need to study the full list because you never know which questions you’ll be tested on.
To study for the test, get a copy of the Fahren Lernen Lehrbuch from a bookstore or driving school. You can also download the ADAC-App, which includes all the information you’ll need to study for the written exam. Lots of online testing sites provide ample opportunity to test yourself.
After passing the written test, the driving school will issue you a temporary driver’s license and the Führerscheinstelle will either send your your real license or ask you to come pick it up, after a few weeks.
US states and other countries with no reciprocity
Driver’s with licenses from a US state or country with no reciprocity with Germany will need to take both the practical and theoretical exams (written and road tests). Start looking into driving schools if you have a driver’s license from one of the following states:
Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. As well as any country not on Germany’s Anlage 11 list.
In order to get a German driver’s license, if your current license is from a state or country with no reciprocity, (this includes India, Pakistan, and South Africa), you will need to go to German driving school (Fahrschule). This can consist of 20 to 40 hours of theory and driving lessons, and cost anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand euros.
Many German driving schools will walk you through the entire process and handle all administration for you so you never have to actually go to the Bürgeramt at all.
These are the steps you will follow:
1. Get a vision test (Sehtest) at any Augen Optiker.
2. Take a first aid course. (Check your local Red Cross chapter)
3. Register at the Führerscheinstelle (your driving school can do this for you). Bring with you:
- Passport
- Meldebescheinigung
- Passport Photo
- Current driver’s license + copy, along with German translation
- First Aid Course Certificate
- Proof of Vision Test
4. Begin theoretical lessons (10-16 hours).
5. Take theoretical test (written test).
6. Begin practical lessons, which include at the very least 12 lessons, 45-minutes each, comprising a mix of daytime and nighttime driving on city streets, country roads, and highways.
7. Register for practical exam.
8. Take the practical exam (road test).
Once you pass the test, you’ll receive a temporary driver’s license, which you can use to drive in Germany while you wait for your new German driver’s license will arrive in the mail. Once it arrives (may take 4-6 weeks), you’re good to go for the next 15 years!
Important to know:
- New residents in Germany have up to six months to get their German driver’s license.
- If you are from a state or country with reciprocity, you won’t be able to exchange your driver’s license after these six months are over.
- If you already have a driver’s license, it must have been valid for at least six months in order to exchange it for a German one.
- If you’re not planning to stay longer than one year, you can apply for permission to drive in Germany with your current driver’s license for the duration of your stay.
- German residents who have not exchanged their driver’s license after three years living in Germany, must start from scratch and take all the required lessons at a Fahrschule and pass both the written and road tests.
- You must be 18-years-old to drive in Germany.
We have made every effort to create a useful and factual article on getting a driver’s license in Germany. Always confirm the information with a driving school and/or the local driving license office in your city.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Archer Relocation has been providing relocation services to families, individuals and companies in Berlin since early 2015. Managing Director, Emily Archer, founded the company desiring to use her first-hand experience as an expat to make the relocation process as smooth as possible for others moving to Berlin. Read other useful information about moving to and living in Berlin, such as ‘How to Find a Berlin Apartment’, on our Berlin Blog.
Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with our Berlin Blog posts and other Berlin expat news here.