Offices that exchange foreign driving licences in Germany

Some ask for copies by email before they give you an appointment

Exchanges are handled by the local driving licence authority, often called the Führerscheinstelle or Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, which in many places sits within the city or district administration. Some offices begin with copies of your licence sent by email, others assess it at the counter, and many ask for a German translation.

1 office in Kiel
  • Kiel

    Landeshauptstadt Kiel — Stadtamt, Fahrerlaubnisse

    Saarbrückenstraße 147, 24113 Kiel

    Allow plenty of time, as checks of documents from outside the EU can take up to six months.

    Prepare the application, identity, current biometric photo and valid original foreign licence, with an official translation where required. A passport requires a current registration certificate. Other evidence follows the issuing-country/category rules; Kiel asks for first-aid and eyesight evidence in the relevant non-Annex-11 cases. Pay by accepted debit/credit card. Some conversion fees differ between sources, so obtain the amount for your actual case rather than using one universal quote.

Related services

Other everyday services in Germany

Other countries

The same task in other countries

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

Where to next

Swap a foreign licence for a German one

For newcomers who drive on a licence from another country. See when the exchange is needed and which driving licence office takes it.

Foreign driving licence exchange in Germany