Exchanging your foreign driving licence in Germany

What you need depends on the country that issued your licence

A licence from an EU or EEA country normally stays valid in Germany and can be swapped for a German one on request. A licence from another country is recognised only for a limited time after you settle here, so start the exchange early. The driving licence office decides whether you must also take a test, and it often asks for a German translation of your licence.

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How it works

Exchange a foreign driving licence

Swap your foreign driving licence for a local one and check what you need.

After you move, your foreign licence is usually valid only for a limited time. Licences from EU and EEA countries can normally be exchanged without a test; licences from other countries only under specific agreements, and otherwise you may need to take a driving test. You usually need your original licence, ID, proof of address, a photo and sometimes a certified translation or a medical certificate. Apply in good time, as processing can take several weeks and you may have to hand in your old licence.

Also searched as

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At a glance

Offices
41 offices in 36 cities
Book online
At 37 of 41 offices
Apply online
At 2 of 41 offices
Offices for specific groups
  • For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: 5 offices

Check how your city starts the exchange

Offices that handle foreign driving licences

Copies of your documents by email come first at some offices, while others assess your licence in person. Either way, have your foreign licence and any translation the office asks for ready, since the steps differ from one office to the next.

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Driving licence offices for foreign licences

Check how the driving licence office in your city deals with licences from other countries and what it wants to see first.

Licence exchange offices in Germany

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