Germany Drivers
Licence

German Driver’s Licenses

Germany Drivers Licence

Can I drive in Germany?

Yes, everyone with a valid domestic driving license from their home country, with the indicated category of vehicle on the license are allowed to drive in Germany with few requirements Should be minimum 18 years old, below 18 are not allowed to drive even if with a valid license issue by your country of origin. EU & EAA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) national can drive in Germany using their foreign driver’s license without any restrictions. 

  • Types of German Driver’s Licenses

Foreign nations outside the EU & EAA visiting Germany and do not intent to stay more than a year will require an international driving issued from home country or an official German translated copy with your home country driving license.
Note: For exception and additional requirement consult your local state authorities or ADAC.Types of German Driver’s Licenses Germany issues different types of driver’s licenses based on vehicle categories. Some of the most common ones include:Class B – For standard passenger cars (most common license type).Class A1, A2, A – For motorcycles of different engine capacities.Class C, CE – For trucks and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).Class D, DE – For buses and passenger transport vehicles.Depending on your driving needs, you must apply for the correct license category and undergo the appropriate training and testing.Who Needs a German Driver’s License?You need a German driver’s license if:1. You are a resident of Germany and plan to drive long-term.2. You are a foreigner with a non-EU driver’s license that is not valid beyond six months.3. You are a new driver looking to obtain a license for the first time If you are from an EU/EEA country, your existing license is generally valid in Germany. However, if you are from a non-EU country, you may need to exchange or apply for a German license.

 
 
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EU and EEA State Licence

Driving license issued by a Member State of the European Union (EU) or a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), it is valid until it expires, even after taking official resident in Germany. You can request for issue of German license for the same category before expiry of your domestic license. Still it is recommended to contact the local driving authorities as there are some general restriction to the category of vehicles & type of residence.

Fact sheet for holders of foreign driving licences from EU and EEA states on driving licence provisions in the Federal Republic of Germany

How to exchange your EU state license to Germany License:  

Once you know that you do not need any tests theory or practical, you can directly apply on your own without enrolling in a driving school. The below information are the generic guideline & might vary from city to city. If your German language skill is good, you can go the Bürgeramt (municipal office) and approach the Führerscheinstelle support desk, if not better to take a translator or a friend with German skill.

The following documents are required to enclose with your application form:

  • a passport or ID card
  • a current biometric passport photo
  • a valid foreign driving license in original, German translation (Certified Driver’s license) of the license may be required in some cases.
  • proof of the date of issuance of the foreign driving license. This is required only if the date issue is not in your foreign license.

The German card driving license is produced centrally by the Federal press in Berlin. You will be intimated as soon it is available at the Rathaus or Führerscheinstelle for collection. You must hand over your foreign driving license when you receive the German card driving license. The processing time takes about two to three weeks.