You registered in Germany. You stayed a while. You’re still here. Now you want to exchange the driver’s licence from your home country for a German one. But… oh my… more than 12 months have gone by since you moved to Berlin (or Frankfurt, or Munich, or wherever). It says you are supposed to exchange it for a German one within 12 months of taking up residence in Germany. So will they refuse to exchange it?
Luckily this is a quick one to answer. No, they won’t refuse to exchange it. At best, you might get a dirty look or a lecture.
The twelve-month rule applies to your foreign license and whether you can continue to drive in Germany with it or not. Let’s say you have a valid Australian driver’s licence, set to expire in 2028. Let’s say you registered your address in January 2021 and didn’t get around to exchanging your car licence, and now it’s 2022.
If you go back to Australia you can continue to use this license.
You can even use it in other countries. But since you’re a resident in Germany now, it won’t be recognised as valid in Germany by authorities after January 2022. So if you are still driving with this foreign licence well into 2022, you will run into troubles if you get pulled over by a cop. But the employee at the Bürgeramt responsible for exchanging your vehicle license for a German one can still do that for you. So do it ASAP, before you get pulled over by a cop. You can get help with the process here. All About Berlin’s guide to exchanging your driver’s license is also nice and thorough.
Need to get your driver’s license translated before you submit the application? Send us a scan.
Dear Kathleen,
Youv been so kind to help so many out there. really appreciate your social efforts.
I have a tricky question. While some resources/websites say the ‘6 Month validity is from entry Germany and few sites quote ‘6 months from residence status’. As you know the residence status takes another 1-2 months to establish after landing in the country so my question is that if clock starts from landing date or the one mentioned in the Blue card (registration date)
regards,
Singh
I am not 100% sure, but my educated guess would be “the date you registered your address in Germany” because that’s the date you became a German resident. Maybe your permit got granted a month later, but that probably won’t interest the police officer that pulls you over.
Thank you Kathleen. That helps and I would also visit the Bürgeramt to get their feedback. Appreciate your answer.
Hallo, Could you please help me. I have moved to Germany and am needing to change my drivers license, it’s from Queensland, Australia. Do I need any sort of paperwork from the Queensland transport department or is my physical license enough proof?
Your physical license is all you need from Queensland Transport, providing it’s still valid. Hello, fellow Queenslander! Cheers, Kathleen
Hello,
I come from India and I can drive 4 wheeler(Car) in India but I don’t have driving licence yet, I am thinking of going back to India and get driving licence in October 2019.
I came to Germany for studies in 2016 October, can i still exchange the drivers licence, since its already exceeding 6months ?
What is you suggestion and recommendation.
Hi Razz, you can’t exchange a driver’s license obtained overseas if you were registered in Germany when you got the license. You have to be overseas for at least 6 months. You can read more about this here. Cheers, Kathleen
Hi!
I applied for a driving license exchange last year and was given a paper that permits me to pass a theoretical exam. Unfortunately I have waited for too long and my driving license expires in one month. I will go to the theoretical exam before that and if I pass I should be give the permission for a practical exam, but I will be able to go to this exam already after the expiration date of my driving license. Will I still be able to get the German driving license in exchange of my old ones after this or I will have to apply all the docs and study anew as if to receive the German driving license from the scratch?
Thank you!
You can’t convert an expired driver’s licence. It has to be valid when you submit it for exchange. -Kathleen
Dear Kathleen,
Once I have exchanged/converted my foreign licence for the German one, I heard that the foreign licence will be sent back to its issuing authority. Is this true? If I decide to return to my country after let’s say 5 years of residence in Germany, how do I get back my foreign license (it has unlimited expiry)?
Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Angela
Hi Angela,
You don’t get it back, you exchange it for the German one, which also has unlimited expiry. If you go back to your home country, you can exchange your German one for a new license when you get there.
Kathleen
Hello,
I’m an American citizen with both a US and Belgian drivers license. My US license (from Florida, which has a ‘partial reciprocity’ agreement with Germany, in that a conversion only requires a written, and not a practical, test) was issued many years ago and expires in 2025. My Belgian license was issued in 2018 and expires in 2028 and was granted to me based on a conversion from my US one while I was a student in Belgium.
Since Florida only has a partial reciprocity agreement with Germany, would it be possible to get a German license based on my Belgian one? And if I do so, will it only be valid until the expiry date on my Belgian license in 2028, at which point I will need to start back at square one for a German license, since I would be way past my 6-month time limit to convert?
And speaking of this six-mont limit, does it refer to my entry date (8 Oct 2019), my anmeldung date (15 Nov 2019) or the date I became a permanent resident (07 Jan 2020).
Thank you very much in advance for any clarification you may be able to offer.
Best,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
It will be easier with the Belgian license. German driver’s licenses don’t have expiry dates.
I would take it as the date you registered your address 15.11.
Cheers
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
I have an NZ license, and am registering my residence in Germany in August. But between now and then, I will be driving my girlfriend’s German-registered car.
My question is, do you think I’d run into problems with insurance claims if I drive in Germany (I am living in Netherlands near the border – so I commute across from time to time)?
Thanks for your help
Ashwin
Yes, if you get pulled over in Germany, your NZ license won’t be considered a valid license anymore. I can imagine your insurance company would love to reject your claims on that basis. Go get it swapped for a German one as soon as you can.
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for this article and for helping us. I have been looking for more accurate information on this matter because I’m an American citizen with a USA Florida Driver License. In the US Embassy & Consulates from Germany shows this: As of January 1, 1999, U.S. driver’s license holders must be in possession of a German license six months after entering the country, if they wish to continue driving.
If I take that in consideration my entry date was Feb 2020 and my anmeldung date was May 2020. However, I’m going to travel back to Florida next month and then re-enter in Germany in July 2020 that is why I can’t be sure which date they would consider, my first entry to the Country February or July for that matter. Or if it would be my anmeldung date, that is when I registered my address. Thanks!
They commonly use the Anmeldung date.
I entered germany in march 2020 and driving with my indian license expires in september. Now problem is tht due to covid crisis i am not able to register with ortnosumg office and now they showing we register only deutsch theory so is it possible to get permission toextend driving here with indian license for more six months. I am registered with fahrschule and did first aid and eye check up????
I don’t know, sorry. I doubt it.
Dear Babalpreet, I have the same situation now. What happened in your case? Did the driving license authority give u extension to drive for few more months after registering with them?
Hey Kathleen,
Thank you for the article. I have a specific question related to the matter, I would be very grateful if you could help me figure it out.
I have a valid non-EU driving license, and I’ve been living in Germany for a year and a half now with a working permit. So technically speaking, I’m not allowed to drive in Germany anymore.
My question is; can I still drive in other European countries as a tourist if I have an international driving license with me (As I would be able to if I wasn’t living in Germany)?
Thank you for your time!
If you get an international driving license then you should be able to drive in other EU countries… the question is, will the German authorities issue you with an international driving license for a foreign license if you’ve been registered in Germany for more than 6 months? That, I am not sure. I think you might have to convert it to a German license first and then get an IDL. But the best way to find out for sure is to just make the appointment at the Bürgeramt and go ask. Let us know if you need an appointment + translator.
Hello, this 6 months it’s blow my mind ..I entered in Germany in September 2019 , in October i left , and then in December again move , and in the March 2020 i left Germany 🙂 Now i am here 20 of July , i think i have 133 days lived in Germany..Is it gonna be a problem to exchange my driver licence …
Thank you
Depends, did you de-register and re.register every time you left and came back? If your license is still valid and it was issued BEFORE you last registered your address in Germany, you should still be able to exchange it.
Is there a time limit on how long the reciprocity lasts? So if you don’t convert when you move here because you do not intend to drive and are not sure how long you will be in Germany, but later decide to be here more permanently and make the conversion is there some point in time where it cannot be converted or as long as it is valid it can be converted? Thanks!
Not that I know of, as long as the driver’s license is still valid and as long as it was issued BEFORE you became a resident of Germany.
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks a lot for all the information in the article and the comments. It really helps. I have a question which I can’t seem to find the an exact answer to. I’m Canadian (from Ontario) and have been studying in Germany since April 2017. Before coming here I did not have a Canadian license, and got into the process after coming here. Currently I have passed the theory and G1 test, which is 2 out of the 3 tests needed to get a full license in Ontario. This allows me to pretty much drive anywhere (except for major highways) in Canada, but I’ll get the full license after I pass my final test in October 2020. I’ve graduated now and really need a driving license as quick as possible, but with the current pandemic situation, going for the proper German license route seems way too time consuming, 6 months at the very least from what I can tell. I have my student visa valid till Sep 2020, and after that I do intend to stay in Germany and work for a year or two so I was wondering if I can do anything with the Canadian license I get in October? I understand that the German authorities won’t let me exchange it for a German one since I’ve already been living here, but are there any benefits at all? Like can I at least drive rentals here for a few months or does the process of getting a German license become any shorter/simpler? It just seems very odd to me that the same license which can be directly exchanged has no weight if it’s obtained after arrival. Thanks a lot for your time.
I don’t know anything about benefits that you’d have. Under some circumstances I’d say you could de-register from Germany and re-register so that “cha-ching”, it’s suddenly fine to convert your license, but that’s likely to screw up a whole bunch of other more important things, like your visa, health insurance, etc. so I really wouldn’t recommend doing that. I’m afraid I can’t offer any pearls this time around!
Hi there,
Thanks for the helpful article.
I have a question. I am an Australian citizen with a valid South Aussie drivers license. I have been living (and registered) in Germany since Sept 2016. I have not been driving since I arrived here, however if I were to exchange my license now would I be required to take any theoretical/practical exams, or would it still just be a stright swap?
Appreciate your feedback!
As long as your driver’s license is still valid and was issued before Sept 2016, you should still be able to swap it. Kathleen
I am from Wisconsin in the US which has a more or less full drivers license reciprocity with Germany. The problem is I came as a masters student in Oct 2016 and didn’t need a car or a drivers license for several years so I didn’t look into changing my license until now. I knew of the 6 month rule but did not imagine a 3 year limitation rule would exist. It has been really challenging to find clear information about what I will have to do now, but from what I gathered, it is essentially as if I am a completely new driver and will need to do everything over again. Having driven for over 20 years before coming to Germany, you can maybe imagine my shock in this discovery.
My question therefore is will I truly need to do all the theoretical/practical classes from scratch or is there any other way to shorten or condense this? If I show that I can competently drive, would a Farhschule take that into account or is the full regiment of classes an immovable requirement?
Thank you for such an amazingly helpful site!
Hi Brett. I’m not aware of a rule that says the conversion has to happen within 3 years of moving to Germany. In fact, I went hunting and I found a website that says this regulation was abolished, which is perhaps why I’d never heard of it. Of course I can’t vouch for the accuracy of a website that gives driving tips. Still, I think it’s worth attempting to get your license converted after all. You might find it’s easier than you thought! Either way, please let me know how it turns out.
Hello All,
I am writing to you today in relation to an incident that occurred to me recently.
I am a British citizen and moved to Germany for work in 2017. I did not drive a car during my stay in Germany.
This year my friend got a company car. To make the ride safer, we decided to switch every few hours while driving.
I was stopped by the German police and they challenged my UK driver’s license as invalid and criminal offence.
They took all of my data, had me sign a report and said I couldn’t drive in Germany. I was told to expect a further letter in this matter as they investigate. As far as I knew, the UK is currently in the transition phase to leave the EU. This means that my driver’s license should still be valid until the end of 2020.
Did anyone had a similar situation?
Such a helpful article. This arbitrary 6-month rule is really a ridiculous myth that annoyed me quite a lot. I see that you’re still more or less responsive on a 2 year old article. Thanks a lot Kathleen! Helped out a lot.
Hi Kathleen,
I’m a British Citizen who anmeldunged in Berlin in August 2020, but only stayed there one month and have not been physically back since (due to corona), although am still employed, registered etc there. When I eventually return e.g. in June, will it be possible to exchange my UK licence (was valid before anmeldung and still is).
Just get it exchanged for a German one as soon as you possibly can. By June at the latest, or your British license won’t be considered valid if you get pulled over.
The 6 months rule is now 12 months, as per the police
Hey Jan, where did you see this information?
Yep, that’ll be fine.
Thanks for sharing, wasn’t aware of the intricacies. Do you know if there is any change due to Brexit?
British citizens will have to convert their license to a German license within 6 months of moving to Germany (or within 6 months of their EU license no longer being an EU license). So by end of June at the latest if you’re already in Germany.
Check out this video – it mentions Brexit. If your license came from the UK, you now have to convert it.
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to questions. I have been living in Karlsruhe since November. Today I went to the local ADAC with my Canadian Driver’s license (British Columbia) hoping to get it exchanged for a German license.
They quickly told me that I will first need to get my Canadian license translated as well as completing a driver’s exam from a driving school.
I thought you could simply exchange it in the first 6 months. Can you please confirm this?
Sorry for the double post. Forgot to add the word ‘translated’.
Much appreciated!
Regards,
Zag
I live in Germany for more than 6 months and I have a valid non-EU driver license, there are other european countries that accepts my driver license for touristic proposes, e.g: Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Can I still driver in these countries or because I’m a german resident I’ll have problems?
You might have problems or you might not, if you get pulled over. To be absolutely safe, go and get your valid non-EU drivers license converted to a German one. Benefit: the German license doesn’t expire! Then you can happily use that German driver’s license in other countries for touristic purposes too (unless of course you move to another country, in which case you’d have to go through the same process somewhere else after 6 months!)
Due to corona I could not get an appointment to change my licence and during this time it was set to expire, however I made sure I updated its validity before the expiration so it is valid until 2024, is this still considered as a valid licence when swapping for a German one (it is an Australian licence). It was first issued to me in 2014.
Does that mean it is actually a brand new license that was issued after you registered your address in Germany? If so, it might not be possible to convert it. The date of issue on the license could be decisive – if the license you are trying to convert was issued in 2014, is still valid and you registered after 2014 in Germany, you’re OK. But go to the Bürgeramt and ask to be absolutely sure.
Hello,
I landed in Germany/Berlin in December 2020.
I have my non-EU driving license
My question is: Can I drive on my Non-EU international driving license until December 2021?
I am asking in the light of this article
https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Articles/K/Corona/extending-validity-foreign-driving-licences.html
I mean is this a general 6 months extension to everyone due to covid?
-Thanks
Hi A,
Frustratingly, I can’t find the information about BERLIN specifically. Driver’s licenses are regulated at state level. There was a federal-level extension of 6 months (making 12 months in total), but only til April 2021. Some states chose to exchange this until Oct 2021 (next month). I’m quite sure Berlin will be one of the states who did extend it, but I can’t find anything to be sure. I’d get an appointment as soon as you can to convert it just in case. Even if you CAN drive on your license until Dec 2021, it’s bloody impossible to get an appointment for the service of converting your license in Berlin. Start looking for that appointment now!
Hi Kathleen,
I’m looking for information about exchanging my German license BACK to my Australian one. I’m planning a 3 month trip back to Australia, and I was told when I got the DE license that I could to a temporary swap back. More recently, I’ve been told that swapping back is only possible if I permanently leave Germany! That can’t be right, can it? I’m in Baden Wurttemburg.
My Aussie license says I’ve been driving 25 years without incident and can drive up to 4.5 tonne vehicles, but the German one is limited to 3.5 tonnes including trailer, and treats me as a beginner with regard to alcohol limits. So I’d much prefer to have the Aussie one than a German one plus international.
What are my options?
Thank you!
Tricky! Usually, when you convert a driver’s license from one country’s to another, it’s because you’re living permanently in the new country and so it’s my understanding that “swapping back” is not possible for just a short trip. Usually you’d get an “international driver’s license” for your German license so as to appease Aussie car rental companies or the police if you get pulled over. I understand though that your privileges have somehow been lost in translation. I’m afraid I don’t have a good solution for this one!
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for replying to this article.
I have a question: my British licence is being exchanged currently with the authorities in Munich, I have been registered just over 6 months.
Can I still drive until my German license is issued?
Many thanks
This article is out of date – it’s now 12 months, not 6. I shall change the text!
I’m having issues with a drivers license I attained while in the states after becoming a citizen in Germany. After speaking with several lawyers between Munich and Berlin [I’m in Bavaria but work in Berlin] what I have put together is by law they have to give you the transfer even if the issuence date is after your residence date as an American. There is no specific law banning the exchange but since there is no law they treat it as they do fellow EU countires with the 6 months abroad rule. If pressured they will make the exchange but you must deal with the buromeister. My neighbor was able to get her new license post residency converted. She had to update her license as it expired while abroad. They did not want to process it but did in the end. My situation is that I work internationally, I followed steps for recprocity I found on the US Embassy site, and convertered a non reciprocal license to one matched to German laws. Before taking the time to make the American conversion I visited the local Rathaus, spoke with a lawyer, and to triple check went to the Buro that in the end would supply the license. All 3 check points stated indeed yes this would work. I went to the Führerschein Buro after my return and was shut down and now have a lawyer. It was quite shocking. I’m glad I was traveling on buisness and not specifically for the license. We will see how this turns out in the end as the lawyers are confident they can get it.
If you have heard anything please let me know. I understand Hamburg recently filed to make Americans instant transfer by law but were unsuccessful. it’s good to know they are working on it. Perhaps it will come around. As a busy international traveler I simply don’t have time with my poor German skills to take both tests here in rural Bavaria. Any help is appreciated and thank in advance.
This is brilliant intel, thanks for sharing!
Hey Kathleen,
I’ve been living in Germany (officially) since 2019. I hold a driver’s license from my country of origin (Argentina) from many years ago, but since this license has an expiration date (and I visit often my country) I renewed it in 2020. Does this mean that I cannot convert it to a German license anymore and I have to go through the process to get one?
Thanks,
Gonzalo
It might mean that, yes. To be sure, book an appointment, take your license and ask at the office if they’re still willing to convert it.