Driving

Converting a foreign driving licence

Once resident in Germany, a non-EU driving licence is only valid for a limited time and must be converted at the driving licence office; EU licences generally remain valid.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

If you have a foreign driving licence (ausländischer Führerschein) from outside the EU/EWR, Germany may require you to convert it to a German driving licence (Umschreibung) depending on where it was issued and where you live now. The exact documents and whether a driving test is needed depend on the issuing country and local rules. 1 2 3 4 5

Who needs this

This procedure is for people with a driving licence from a non-EU/EWR country; some official pages separate these into countries in Annex 11 (Anlage 11) and other third countries (Drittstaaten). 1 3 4 5
EU/EWR licences follow different rules. 1 2 4 5
In Hamburg, München and Stuttgart, the local pages say you can normally drive with a foreign licence for six months after moving or registering in Germany, and then you must convert it if you want to keep driving. 2 4 5
Berlin says the application can only be made with a main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in Berlin. 1
Hamburg says the main residence must be in Hamburg. 2
Köln says you must live in Köln. 3
München says you must be registered with a main residence in München. 4
Stuttgart says the application is handled after a personal discussion in the driving licence office based on the individual case. 5

Step by step

Check whether your licence is from an Annex 11 country or another third country, because this affects the documents and tests needed. 1 3 4
Book an appointment or apply at the local driving licence office, depending on the city’s procedure. Berlin and Hamburg mention appointment booking; Köln lists the relevant citizen service centres; München and Stuttgart say the application is made in person. 1 2 3 4 5
Gather the required documents for your case, including any translation, medical proof, or school confirmation if needed. 1 2 3 4 5
If a theory and practical test is required, some cities say you must be enrolled with a driving school and complete the tests. 2 3 5
Submit the documents and, when receiving the German card licence, hand in your foreign licence. Köln and München explicitly state that the foreign licence must be surrendered when the German licence is issued. 3 4

Documents

Identity document: personalausweis or passport. 1 3 4 5
Residence document for non-EU/EWR citizens, where listed. 1 2
Current biometric passport photo. Berlin requires one printed photo; Hamburg and München also require a biometric photo. 1 2 4 5
Valid original foreign driving licence. It must still be valid at the time of application. 1 2 3 4
Translation of the foreign licence if required; Berlin says this is always required if the licence is not in German or English. Hamburg and München also list translations, and Köln names the types of translators or clubs that may prepare it. 1 2 3 4
Proof of first aid training, if required. 1 2 3 4 5
Vision test or eye medical report, depending on the licence class and city. 1 2 3 4 5
For certain truck and bus classes, extra medical certificates, and in some cases a criminal record certificate (Führungszeugnis). 1 2 3 4
Berlin additionally asks for the driving school and test centre details where relevant. 1
Hamburg and Köln ask for proof of previous residence in the issuing country for at least six months. 2 3
München asks for proof of how long you held the foreign licence, if this does not already appear on the licence. 4

Cost and time

Berlin: 37.50 euros without a test, 45.10 euros with a test. 1
Hamburg: 37.50 to 74.40 euros, depending on the licence class and case. 2
Köln: 43.90 euros for applications requiring a test without probation, 44.20 euros with probation. 3
München: 37.50 euros without probation and without a test decision, 38.30 euros without a test but with probation, 45.10 euros with a test and without probation, 45.90 euros with a test and probation. 4
Stuttgart: 42.60 euros for exchange of a licence from outside the EU/EWR without probation. 5
München says processing currently takes up to 14 weeks after all documents are complete. Hamburg says the new licence takes about 3 to 4 weeks to produce. 2 4

Deadlines

Hamburg, München and Stuttgart state that the foreign licence is valid for six months after entry or registration in Germany. 2 4 5
Hamburg and Stuttgart say this period can be extended by up to six months on request if you can prove you will not live in Germany for longer than twelve months. 2 5
Köln says you must pass the theoretical and practical driving test for third-country licences, and Berlin says licence conditions depend on the issuing country. 1 3

City by city

Berlin: main residence in Berlin is required; Berlin lists specific documents such as the driving school and test centre details and says printed photos are needed. 1
Hamburg: main residence in Hamburg is required; the page gives a detailed list for classes A/B, C/D and notes the licence can be extended by up to six months in special cases. 2
Köln: the page lists approved translation providers, says online first-aid courses are not accepted, and gives special extra documents for C and D classes. 3
München: processing time is up to 14 weeks; the city lists different fee combinations and requires surrender of the foreign licence at handover. 4
Stuttgart: the page says the case is checked individually in a personal appointment and lists the local fee and opening-hour information. 5