Germany’s driving licence conversion process depends entirely on which country issued your existing licence. Here is what each situation involves.
EU/EEA Licences: Direct Use
EU and EEA driving licences are valid in Germany without conversion — you can drive in Germany on your existing national licence for as long as it is valid. If you become a permanent German resident, you are required to notify the relevant authority but do not need to convert the licence unless it expires. When it expires, you renew it in Germany by applying to your local Führerscheinstelle (licensing authority) with your existing EU licence — no test required, just administrative conversion.
Countries With Reciprocal Agreements
Germany has bilateral agreements allowing direct administrative conversion (no test required) with: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, all EU member states, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada (most provinces), and several others. For these countries: take your foreign licence, a certified German translation if required, your Anmeldebescheinigung (registration), passport, and a recent eye test result (Sehvermögensbescheinigung, available from any optician or optometrist for €5–15) to your local Führerscheinstelle. They exchange your foreign licence for a German one. The fee: approximately €35–50. Processing time: 4–8 weeks typically.
Countries Without Reciprocal Agreements
For countries without bilateral agreements (including China, Russia, most of South and Central America, most of Africa, India, and most Asian countries not listed above): you must take both the German theory test (Theorieprüfung) and the practical driving test (praktische Prüfung) at a TÜV, DEKRA, or ADAC testing centre — the same tests as a first-time German driver. However: you can still apply for theory exemptions or partial exemptions in some cases, and your existing experience is taken into account for the number of mandatory driving lessons required (though this is at the instructor’s discretion).
The German Driving Test
The German theory test: 30 questions from a pool of ~1,000, computer-based, available in English and other languages, passing threshold is 10 or fewer points lost. Study tools: Fahschule app or official TÜV/DEKRA apps in German or English. The theory test can be taken without a driving school — you register directly at TÜV, DEKRA, or ADAC. The practical test: typically requires completing a minimum number of Fahrstunden (driving lessons) with a licensed Fahrschule (driving school). Cost of the German Führerschein process for non-reciprocal countries: €1,500–2,500 including driving school fees, test fees, and administrative costs.
