If your driver's license was issued in a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and you now live in Germany, you may drive with your driver's license for a maximum of six months (185 days) from the date you enter Germany. After that, you must apply for a German driver's license.
More Information
Publisher
Hamburg
Last update or date of publication
Contact
The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).
Call 115 nowGovernment service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.
- valid identity card, electronic residence permit (eAT) or passport with current registration certificate
- valid foreign driving licence (if necessary with translation by an officially sworn translator; the necessity of this can only be decided after a consultation)
- biometric passport photo (35x45 millimeters) - not older than 1 year
- For driving licence categories A and B: eye test if necessary (for example by an optician)
- If applicable, proof of participation in a first aid training course.
- Proof of previous residence for at least 6 months in the issuing state of the driving licence (for example, employer certificates, rental agreement)
- Appointment confirmation
Additionally, for driving licenses of classes C and D:
- ophthalmological report in accordance with Annex 6 to the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 2 years
- Medical certificate in accordance with Annex 5.1 to the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 1 year
- For category D: medical certificate in accordance with Annex 5.2 to the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 1 year.
- For class D: Certificate of good conduct, not older than 3 months, applied for at the relevant residents' registration office
- For commercial goods and/or passenger transport: proof of professional driver qualification
Preconditions
- Her main residence is in Hamburg.
- You have a valid foreign driving license.
- You have resided in the state that issued your current driver's license for at least 6 months (185 days).
- If you have to take a driving test: You have completed the preparation at a driving school and passed the theoretical and practical driving tests.
Further information on when a test is necessary can be found in Annex 11 to the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV).
Hints
- The LBV-Mitte and LBV-Nord driving licence offices are responsible for issuing driving licences.
- You can find information about exchanging your driver's license in other languages on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV). Further information can be found below in the section "Forms, Services & Links".
- Provisional driving licences or learner's licences In Germany, they do not entitle the holder to drive motor vehicles and therefore cannot be converted into a German driver's license.
- Germany has agreements with several countries regarding the recognition of driver's licenses, which simplify the conversion process to a German driver's license. Often, no new driving test is required for licenses from these countries. Further information on when a test is necessary can be found in Appendix 11 of the Driver's License Ordinance (FeV).
37.50 EUR - 74.40 EUR.
The exact costs depend on your driver's license class and can only be determined on-site based on the complete documentation. The basis for this is the German Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (GebOSt).
Basis for legal action
Section 29 Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__29.html
Section 31 Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__31.html
Legal Remedies
Contradiction
Related Links
- Appendix 11 FEVCurrently this link is only available in german
- BMV - Validity of foreign driving licences in the Federal Republic of GermanyCurrently this link is only available in german
- LBV appointment bookingsCurrently this link is only available in german
- LBV online servicesCurrently this link is only available in german
- State Transport Authority - ContactCurrently this link is only available in german
Procedure
- You complete the preparation at a driving school and, if necessary, take the theoretical and practical driving test.
- You book an appointment online.
- On our website for booking appointments, select the category "Driver's License"
- Book the appointment "Conversion of foreign driving licence or service driving licence into temporary EU card driving licence"
- You will receive an email. Confirm your reservation using the link in the email.
- Bring all necessary documents and the appointment confirmation with you to your appointment at the LBV.
- Scan the QR code on your appointment confirmation using the scanner on site.
- Take a seat in the waiting area. You will be called by your call number.
- Your request is being processed.
Deadlines
You must exchange your foreign driving license for a German driving license no later than 6 months (185 days) after entering Germany.
Processing time
The production of your new driver’s license takes approximately 3-4 weeks.