The Brexit transition period ends on 31st December 2020. If you’ve decided to stay in Germany, now is a really good time to think about converting your UK driver’s license to a German one, but you’d really need to get into gear to manage it by the New Year!
My British license has always been fine in Germany, why would I need to convert it now?
With Britain being an EU member state thus far, you won’t have experienced any difficulty with your valid UK driver’s license. You’ve been able to drive the vehicle category listed on the back of your license in Germany (and the rest of the EU) without any trouble. However, there are not many days left in the race to reach a Withdrawal Agreement. With that much still uncertain, it’s better to take care of the license now.
What if they don’t reach a Withdrawal Agreement?
If they don’t reach a withdrawal agreement in time, a driving license issued by the United Kingdom might no longer be recognised by the EU. The rules for third-country nationals might apply instead. You might suddenly need to take a driving test to exchange your license for a German one.
And if they do reach a Withdrawal Agreement, what then?
Even if they do, you’ll still need to exchange your driver’s license for a German one if you plan to stay in Germany. If you have already been living in Germany for longer than 6 months, you should exchange your license now.
What we hope will happen…
We’re not fortune-tellers, but we would hope that Germany and UK agree to recognise each other’s driving licenses post-Brexit. This would mean that although converting the license would still be necessary, Brits could bypass some of the red tape in the process. Germany might exempt UK license holders from having to do theory and practical tests, for example. There are similar reciprocal agreements in place for driving licenses from Canada, Australia, The United States and a few other countries.
OK, you’ve convinced me. What now?
If you want to get this done while your license is still considered an EU one, time is of the essence. Buckle up and book at appointment at a Bürgeramt or Fahrerlaubnisbehörde in your German city to have your license converted. This service is usually called “Umschreiben einer Ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis aus einem EU/-EWR-Staat” and will cost around 35€. Make the appointment before the year is up if you can, to stay on the safe side.
Once your shiny new German driver’s license is ready, you’ll receive a letter telling you where and when you can collect it.
Do I need a certified translation of my license?
Not in Berlin – any foreign license issued in English will be accepted without a translation.
If you’re not in Berlin and you don’t get around to doing this until the new year, you might need a certified translation (though we’d hope not!). If you do, you can get a quote from Red Tape Translation.
Happy Driving!
I just had to pay €100 to get my UK driving license exchanged to a German one!!
Like so many others i couldn’t get an appointment before December 31st to exchange my license, i booked the soonest available appointment on January 26th. I paid my €35 fee and was told i could get a licence yet but might have to wait up to 6 months to find out what the final agreement between the EU and Uk regards driving license’s will be.
I waited and waited heard nothing so i called this week (April 18th 2021) to check the status of my driving license application only to be told that i was sent an appointment via mail in March ( it never arrived). I book there and then on the phone a new appointment for today 22 April and was shocked to be told it now costs €100 on top of the €35 to exchange my license….in January it wasn’t possible to do it, in March it would have been free, but now it’s €135….by june or July this year the UK will be put on the German list
Of countries for whom driving license exchanges will again be free..What the hell is going on, of course no one at the driving license bureau could explain to me the reason for this charge, nor could they direct me anywhere online where i could get futher information on this bureaucratic bullshit!!