Converting your driving license in Germany: how it works

Do you have a driver's license from abroad and want to have it converted in Germany? The first distinction first: if you obtained your driver's license in another EU country, no transfer is necessary. If you obtained it in a third country (non-EU), you've come to the right place! We explain everything you need to know to find your way through the German bureaucratic jungle. Whether you are new to Germany or have been living here for a long time, transferring your driver's license is an important step in staying mobile in Germany as a driving country . Find out here how the international driving license works, when you (must) transfer your foreign driving license and what requirements apply.

The international driving license in Germany

An international driving license is required in most countries around the world in order to drive officially and legally on the roads. If you want to drive outside your home country, you need to check in advance whether your country's driver's license is recognized there. 

The international driving license is not a replacement for the regular driving license of your home country, but a supplement. It is only valid in combination with your national driving license and is particularly suitable for temporary stays, travel and until you transfer to a German driving license. Important to know:

• The international driving license is not intended for permanent driving in Germany.
• It is usually valid for three years and must then be renewed.
• If you want to live in Germany permanently, convert your foreign (regular) driver's license to a German driver's license .

In general, it is worth asking for official information from the road traffic authorities or the driving license office in your place of residence . Different rules apply depending on the country of issue of the driving license - especially for A and C class driving licenses (motorcycle and truck). If you are thinking about working as a truck driver in Germany, take a look at all the information about working as a truck driver in Germany to make your decision easier.

Obligation to transfer foreign driving licenses

Most foreign driving licenses are only valid in Germany for a certain period of time until you have to have your foreign driving license converted into a German driving license (even the international driving license is not an alternative if you are permanently in Germany!) Whether and when you have to have your foreign driving license converted depends on which country your driving license comes from. Here are the most important points:

• Driver's licenses from EU countries and the European Economic Area (e.g. Switzerland) are recognized in Germany without transfer.
• Driving licenses from non-EU countries must be rewritten after six months if you want to continue driving on German roads.
• Special regulations apply to truck drivers and other professions in heavy goods traffic, which must be observed.

As a non-EU citizen, your foreign test certificate expires as soon as you have a permanent residence in Germany (six months). Depending on the country of issue, the transfer can take several weeks. Therefore, make sure that you use the official information from your local road traffic office early enough to ensure that you meet all requirements and are not left without a driver's license. 

Requirements for transferring your driving license

Before you can have your driver's license transferred, there are a few requirements that you should consider. Here are the most important ones:

• You must have a permanent residence in Germany.
• Your driver's license must be in a valid state (not expired, revoked or issued in a non-legal manner).
• Depending on your country of origin, you may have to take the theoretical and / or practical driving test again according to German standards.

For driving licenses from the EU and the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), the following are sufficient for the transfer (requirements depend on your road traffic office) Identity card or passport, driving license and a photograph (biometric, minimum size 35 x 45 millimeters without head cover).

For driving licenses issued by other countries, you will usually also need: an eye test certificate or an ophthalmologist's certificate (for C and D classes) and proof of training (course) in first aid. For C and D classes you also need a medical aptitude test and for class D a performance test. 

It can take some time before the transfer is successful, as the German bureaucracy is by no means the fastest or most efficient. If you are in the process of settling in Germany, you may also be interested in the official recognition of your foreign education and professional qualifications. We recommend - for a much easier job search in Germany - that you take care of this early on!

The transcription process

The actual transfer process is relatively straightforward once you have all the necessary documents together. Here is an overview of how the process works:

1. Inform yourself and collect all the necessary documents (identity card, current driver's license, biometric passport photo and everything else!)
2. Make an appointment at the driving license office in your city.
3. In some cases, an eye test or medical examination is required, so it is best to organize this while you are waiting for your appointment.
4. Submit your application and wait for processing - this can take several weeks.
5. After successful processing, you have made it: You will receive your German driver's license!

It's worth starting the process early so that you can continue driving without delays. This is particularly important for professional drivers who want to work in Germany! We have compiled how much you can earn in the various driver jobs in Germany in our article: How much does a driver, bus driver, truck driver earn?

WorkerHero - Your partner for entering the job market

That's it - with your (so to speak) new driving license, you can now hit the roads in Germany and the EU without limits! But that's not all: a valid driving license is essential for many professions and can be a real starting signal for your new career. Whether you want to work as a letter carrier, field service technician or electrician for PV systems in Germany, you've found the perfect platform with WorkerHero! 

Not only can you find countless job offers on our platform - for everything from delivery driver to site manager for building services engineering - we can also help you navigate the job jungle. As soon as you create a profile on WorkerHero, our specially trained team will take care of you. Whether you want to live in the deepest Saarland or expect 36 vacation days, together with our team we will find suitable jobs for you!

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