Obtaining a Driving Licence in Germany

To drive in Germany, in principle, you need a driving licence issued in Germany or another EU country. Driving licences from non-EU countries are only valid for six months in Germany. This means that you are only allowed to drive in Germany with a driving licence from your home country for the first six months. The period begins with your first registration of your address in Germany. You must always carry your driving licence when driving.

You must also have a translation of your driving licence into German with you. The translation must have been done by a German or internationally recognized automobile club or an authority in your home country or by a sworn translator. You can find sworn translators at bdue.de. No translation is required for driving licences issued from the following countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Hong Kong, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland and Senegal. You don't need a translation for international driving licences, either.

At the end of these six months, you need to convert your driving licence ("Umschreibung") if you wish to continue driving. You can read more about the process in the section "Where and how can I have my driving licence converted?"

If you are only visiting Germany, you are allowed to drive with the driving licence you have obtained in your home country or an international driving licence. Keep in mind that you must always have your driving licence with you when driving. You can read more (in English and German) on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI).

Please note: During your asylum procedure, BAMF keeps all your documents and often returns them only at the end of the procedure. You are not allowed to drive as long as your driving licence is held by the BAMF.

If your driving licence is not issued in Germany or another EU country, you must have it converted ("Umschreibung") at the latest six months after the first registration of your address in Germany.

In order to start the process, you need to apply to the local Driving Licence Office (“Fahrerlaubnisbehörde” or “Führerscheinstelle”). Depending on where you live and the number of applicants, it may take a while before they process your application. So, it makes sense to start the process before your initial six months are over to make sure you do not lose time. You can find a Driving Licence Office by using the search engine www.meldebox.de. You have to go personally to a Driving Licence Office and submit various documents. Read the section "Which documents do I need to convert my driving licence?" to find out about the required documents.

The Driving Licence Office then decides whether your driving licence can be converted without a test, or you first have to take part in the theory and practical exams. Their decision depends on the country from which your driving licence has been issued. You can find a list of national driving licences, which are converted without further tests, on www.gesetze-im-internet.de. If your driving licence has been issued in a country named in this list, in principle, you can have your driving licence converted without a test. Otherwise, you often have to pass a test.

Before the exam, it makes sense to visit a driving school. Germany has numerous traffic rules and street signs. But unlike the first-timers, if you already have a driving licence issued abroad, you do not need driving lessons.

The following documents have to be submitted along with your application:

• ID or passport
• Certificate of registration (of your address)
• Biometric passport photo
• Your eye test results (“Sehtest”) issued by an optician or ophthalmologist
• Confirmation of participation in a first aid course. You can find a first aid course nearby, for instance, on ASB or Johannitern.
• Original driving licence issued in your country of origin (handing in an international licence is not adequate). In principle, the driving licence must be translated into German by a sworn translator.
• A statement that confirms the driving licence issued in your homeland is still valid.

Sometimes, the driving licence authorities ask applicants for a certificate of good conduct (“polizeiliches Führungszeugnis”) as well. You can receive such a document from your local administration authorities or apply for it online at www.fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de.

Please note: If you are applying for driving licence classes other than A (motorcycles and similar) and B (Cars), you need to present some additional documents. You can learn more on the website of BMVI.

If you want to apply for a driving licence for the first time, this is what you have to do:

• Register at a driving school (“Fahrschule”). In big cities, you can find instructors who speak other languages, including Arabic or Persian/Dari. You can find a driving school nearby at drivolino.de or fahrschulen.de.

• Take part in a first aid course (“Erste Hilfe”). You can find a course nearby at ASB or Johannitern.

• Have your eyes checked by an optician or ophthalmologist (“Sehtest”). The eye test costs around €7. Some opticians also offer free eye tests. Some first aid courses also offer free eye tests.

• Take a biometric passport photo

If you want to apply for a licence in the categories C (lorries) or D (Buses), you need to present some additional documents. On the website of BMVI, you can find a summary of all available driving licence categories.

 Please note: As someone with a “Duldung” or Temporary Stay Permit (“Aufenthaltsgestattung”), you can also apply for and obtain a driving licence.

Important: If you obtained your driving licence in Germany before January 19, 2013, you must renew it. The current driving licences issued in Europe are more secure and look the same. Depending on the year of birth and issuance date of the driving licence, there are certain deadlines for the renewal. For instance, anyone born before 1958 must renew their licence by January 19, 2025 at the latest. If you do not renew your driving licence in time, you will have to pay a fine. You can find out more about the deadlines on the federal government's website.

The driving licence can cost between €2600 to €3500 if you add up all the costs. The price depends on the number of driving lessons you have to take. On average, driving licences are cheaper in (former) East Germany than in West Germany.

The costs of theory lessons and driving lessons comprise the most significant slice of the sum. Whether you have to take theory lessons depends on various things. Some driving lessons are mandatory for beginners (e.g. highway, night or overland trips).

It will be up to your instructor to decide how many lessons you need. You can’t register for the driving test until your instructor is convinced that you can drive safely. Each driving school has different prices for driving lessons. Compared to the cost of driving lessons, the fees for the actual theory and driving tests are not significant. As an example, you can see the prices of obtaining a driving exam in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg on www.tuev-sued.de. The theoretical test costs approx. €25. The practical test costs approx. €120.

Please note: If you are unemployed and think you can increase your chances in the job market by obtaining a driving licence, ask the Jobcentre to take over the occurring costs. Talk to the staff member responsible for you and explain your plans.

To obtain a German driving licence, you need to pass both your theory and your practical driving tests. In fact, you must pass the theory test before you can go through a driving test.

You can take the theory test in 12 different languages: German, English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic (Standard Arabic).

Based on the licence class, the test consists of 20 to 40 multiple-choice questions. The questions vary in difficulty and are assessed with 2-5 demerit points.

• There are 30 questions on the theory test for driving licence category B, and no more than 10 demerit points are allowed. However, you may only answer 1 question incorrectly, with 5 demerit points. Sometimes there are several correct answers to a question.

• This also applies to driving licence categories AM, A, A1 and A2 and the extension to driving licence C1.

• There are 37 questions to answer for the extension to truck category C (Lkw-Klasse C) and 40 for driving licence category D. Here, too, a maximum of 10 demerit points is permitted. However, you may not answer 2 questions with a point value of 5 incorrectly.

The theory test includes 30 multiple-choice questions. There may be several correct answers to one question. If you receive more than ten minus points, you will fail the test.

Your driving school will register you for the theory test. You will need to present the following documents to be allowed to take the theory test:

• ID or passport
• An appointment letter
• Training certificate issued by your driving school (if you never had a driving licence before)

The results of the theory test are valid for one year. If you don’t succeed in your theory test, you can repeat it after 2 weeks. The results of the theory test are valid for one year. If you fail the driving test and want to try again after 12 months, you have to go through the theory test once more.

There are various websites, In order to prepare for the theory test, you can use websites like www.lehrboegen.de or www.fuehrerschein-bestehen.de which offer exercises in various languages. In addition, you can use apps and other online tools. Few of these apps come for free, so it is best to ask your driving instructor for learning materials.

If you have passed the theory exam, you can take the driving test. It often takes between 50 and 60 minutes, during which you have to demonstrate your ability to complete specified driving tasks (roundabouts, highways. etc.). The examiner usually sits in the back seat. They will assess your driving for safety, competence and calmness. Your instructor will sit next to you, so they take control in case of an emergency.

You will then find out whether you have passed at the end of the test. If you have not passed, you will find out what mistakes you have made.

If you don’t pass the exam on the first go, you can repeat it after 2 weeks. There is no limit to the number of times you can repeat the exam.

Alcohol, even in small quantities, is dangerous when it comes to road traffic. Even if you still feel sober, the risk of causing an accident increases massively with alcohol. For this reason, there are rules and limits for driving (car, scooter and motorcycle) when under the influence of alcohol. The police can measure the alcohol in your body with the help of a small measuring device that drivers have to blow into. The device shows alcohol levels in drivers’ bodies per mille.

• Drivers who have had their licence for less than 2 years (probationary period) and drivers under the age of 21 are not allowed to drink alcohol at all when they are behind the wheel. If they drive under the influence of alcohol, their probationary period will be extended. They must also pay a fine of at least €250, will receive a penalty point and have to attend a refresher course.

• Drivers over the age of 21 who have passed their probationary period may continue to drive with a low alcohol level. However, they must not have an alcohol level of 0.5 per mille or higher when driving. Otherwise, if you are caught, you will have to pay a fine of up to €1,500. If your blood alcohol level is higher than a certain point, your driving licence will also be revoked for a certain period of time. If you cause an accident while drunk or behave dangerously (e.g. by not staying on your lane), you can be fined or even imprisoned for as little as 0.3 per mille alcohol. In addition, your driving licence will be taken away, and you will receive several penalty points.

If you ignore vital traffic rules, you may lose your driving licence. Keep in mind that a driving ban ("Fahrverbot")  is not the same as a withdrawal of a driving licence ("Entzug des Führerscheins"). In the event of a driving ban, you must hand in your driving licence to the Traffic Violations Office ("Bußgeldstelle") for a specified period (usually a few months). You cannot drive during this time, but after the deadline, you can get your driving licence back again. In case of a withdrawal of a driving licence, your driving licence loses its validity. That means you are no longer allowed to drive, and you are not permitted to apply for a new driving licence for a specified period ("Sperrfrist" or lock-up period). If you endanger traffic, drive while drunk or collect eight penalty points, you may lose your driving licence. You may get penalty points for various traffic law violations, e.g. driving too fast. The penalty points are colloquially called "Punkte in Flensburg". Officially, the system which records the penalty points is called Fahreignungsregister – FAER.

You can find a list of traffic fines on the “Bußgeldkatalog – BkatV”, but the wording of the catalogue is quite challenging to comprehend. Find an extract of the most common violations and fines on www.bussgeld-info.de.

If you have lost your driving licence due to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications, you have to do a medical and psychological examination (“Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung” or “MPU”) which is colloquially known as “Idiotentest” or idiot’s test. Read more about the MPU on the website of TÜV Süd or Dekra.

Please note: When you obtain a driving licence for the first time, as a beginner, you are going to be on a probationary period ("Probezeit ") for two years. If you are caught for a traffic violation during your probationary period, you have to attend an advanced training course and perhaps go through psychological counselling. In addition, your probationary period will be extended for two more years. If you do not participate in the advanced training course and the counselling session, your driving licence will be seized. Passing a red light, driving with the lights off during the night, and drink-driving are some examples of traffic violations. Parking in a No-Parking zone is not considered a traffic violation. If you park in the wrong place, you only have to pay a fine.

If you receive benefits from the Jobcentre, the Jobcentre steadily inquires about your assets when you apply for the continuation of your benefits. Cars are a type of asset. If your vehicle is worth less than €15,000, however, there is no problem. But if it costs more, the Jobcentre may require you to sell it and live off the proceeds before you can receive benefits.

Please note: If you absolutely need a car to find or keep a job, the Jobcentre can help you buy a car by providing you with a loan. Talk to the staff member responsible for you at the Jobcentre.