PassPeersHow long your licence is valid
- A licence from a country outside the EU and EEA lets you drive in Germany for 6 months after you have registered your residence here. Source
- If you can show that you will live in Germany for no more than 12 months in total, the 6 months can be extended by up to 6 more months. Source
- After that you need a German licence to keep driving. Source
- If your licence is not in German, carry an official German translation with it – unless it is from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, or follows Annex 6 of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Instead of a translation you can carry an international driving permit. Source
Exchange without a test
Germany lists the countries whose licences it accepts with fewer checks in Annex 11 of the Driving Licence Regulation. What is waived depends on the country and the licence class.
| Licence issued in | What Annex 11 says | |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra, Japan, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom | Theory and practical tests waived for the classes listed | Source |
| All Australian states and territories | Tests waived for classes C and R | Source |
| All Canadian provinces and territories | Tests waived for the classes listed | Source |
| Israel | Tests waived for classes A1, A2, A and B | Source |
| New Zealand | Tests waived for classes 1 and 6 | Source |
| Republic of Korea | Tests waived for classes 1 and 2 | Source |
| Taiwan | Tests waived for class B/BE | Source |
| Ukraine, Namibia | Tests waived for the classes listed | Source |
| US states | Varies by state: for some no tests, for others a theory test (for example Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee) | Source |
| Moldova | Practical test still needed | Source |
- For a licence from an Annex 11 country, the medical check, the eye test, the first-aid course, the driving-school training and – as listed in the annex – the theory and practical tests are waived. The licence office can still order a test if it has doubts about your driving. Source
- Look up your own country and licence class in Annex 11. The table above shows examples only. Source
If your country is not on the list
- You take the theory and the practical test. The rules on compulsory driving-school training don't apply to you. Source
- You also need an eye test and proof of a first-aid course. Source
- The first-aid course must cover at least 9 teaching units of 45 minutes. Source
- You apply at the driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde or Führerscheinstelle) of your town or district. Source
- Tip Ask your licence office for its fees and its document list before you go.
International driving permit
- Germany accepts an international driving permit together with your national licence, in place of a translation. It does not replace the licence itself. Source
- Tip If you want an international driving permit, ask about it in the country that issued your licence before you leave.
On the road
Sources
- Driving Licence Regulation (FeV) § 29 – foreign licences
- Driving Licence Regulation (FeV) § 31 – licences from non-EU countries
- Driving Licence Regulation (FeV) Annex 11 – list of countries
- Driving Licence Regulation (FeV) § 19 – first-aid training
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government) – Driving licence and mobility
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the official page before you act on them. This page is general information, not legal advice. PassPeers is independent and not affiliated with any authority.