Convert Non-EU Driving License in Germany — 2026 Guide

You moved to Germany with a perfectly valid driving license from back home. Everything feels fine — and for the first few months, it is. But there’s a deadline most people only discover when it’s dangerously close.

Non-EU driving licenses are only valid in Germany for six months after you register your address. After that, driving on your foreign license is illegal — full stop. And converting it takes longer than most people expect.

The good news: it’s a manageable process once you know exactly what to do. Here’s the full picture.

(If you have a driving license from an EU or EEA country — this guide isn’t for you. Your license is valid in Germany until it expires. You can swap it anytime, with no tests and no deadline pressure.)

The six-month countdown starts from the date of your Anmeldung — your official address registration in Germany. Not when you landed. Not when your visa was issued. The clock starts the day your address is registered at the Bürgeramt.

After six months, your non-EU license stops being valid on German roads. But the conversion process — especially in cities like Berlin or Munich — can take anywhere from 2 to 16 weeks. That means if you wait until month five to start, you may find yourself in a gap with no valid license and no German one yet.

Start the process within your first two months. Seriously.

Germany doesn’t treat all non-EU licenses the same way. Where your license was issued determines how much work the conversion involves. There are two groups:

Group A — Annex 11 Countries (Anlage 11 FeV)

These are countries that Germany has a formal recognition agreement with. If you’re in this group, you can exchange your license directly — no full exam process required. Depending on your specific country, you may need to pass only a theory test, only a practical test, or neither.

Countries in this group include (check the official list for your exact country and, in some cases, your specific state or province):

United Kingdom, United States (most states — a few require the theory test), Canada (most provinces), Australia (most states and territories), Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Israel, Switzerland, South Africa, Namibia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Taiwan, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, and others.

Always verify your specific country on the official Anlage 11 list at gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_11.html — it is the only source that counts.

Group B — All Other Countries

If your country is not in Annex 11 — this applies to most of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), much of Africa, most of the Middle East, and several other countries — the conversion process involves completing a full set of requirements before your German license is issued:

•  First aid course (Erste-Hilfe-Kurs) — mandatory. A 9-hour course, available in English.

•  Eye test (Sehtest) — mandatory. A 5-minute check at any optician.

•  Register at a driving school (Fahrschule) — you need a Fahrschule to access the official theory and practical exams. You don’t need to complete a set number of lessons like a first-time learner, but registering with a school is how you get entered into the exam system.

•  Theory test (Theorieprüfung) — mandatory. 30 multiple-choice questions. Available in English and 11 other languages.

•  Practical driving test (Fahrprüfung) — mandatory. A 45–60 minute test on public roads.

Only once you’ve passed both tests does your conversion application move to the final stage and your German license get issued.

This is more work than Group A — but you are not starting from scratch as a learner. You already know how to drive. The process is about meeting Germany’s official requirements, not about learning to drive.

For all non-EU applicants:

•  Original foreign driving license (the actual card — they will keep it when your German one is issued)

•  Photocopy of your driving license (front and back)

•  Passport or residence permit

•  Biometric passport photo (recent, compliant with German Passverordnung standards)

•  Anmeldebestätigung — your address registration certificate from the Bürgeramt

•  Application form — available at the Führerscheinstelle or downloadable from your city’s official portal

If your license is not in German or English:

•  Certified German translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) — from a sworn translator, ADAC, or your country’s automobile association. Some cities accept English-language licenses without a translation — check with your local Führerscheinstelle first.

If you are in Group B (non-Annex 11 countries), also bring:

•  Eye test certificate (Sehtest) — under €10 at any optician. Fielmann offers it for free.

•  First aid course certificate (Erste-Hilfe-Kurs) — from a recognised provider (DRK, ASB, or Johanniter).

•  Theory test pass certificate — issued after you pass the Theorieprüfung at TÜV or DEKRA through your registered Fahrschule.

•  Practical driving test pass certificate — issued after you pass the Fahrprüfung.

All four Group B documents must be in hand before your license can be issued.

Step 1 — Do Your Anmeldung First

Your Anmeldebestätigung is required for the application. If you haven’t registered your address yet, that’s the very first thing to do. The six-month clock also starts here. (See our Anmeldung guide: /anmeldung-germany-address-registration-guide)

Step 2 — Check Exactly What Your Country Requires

Go to the official Anlage 11 list at gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_11.html and find your country. Some entries are listed with specific states or provinces — rules can differ within a country. Once you know your group, you know your next steps.

Step 3 — Complete Your Pre-Application Requirements

If you are in Group A: In most cases, nothing extra is needed — move straight to Step 4. If your specific country requires one test (theory or practical), book that through a local Fahrschule or directly with TÜV/DEKRA.

If you are in Group B: There are several things to complete before your conversion is finalised — and most people find it easier to register at a driving school early, as the Fahrschule will guide you through the exam process.

•  Book and complete your first aid course. Look for English-language sessions from DRK, ASB, or Johanniter.

•  Get your eye test done at any optician. Keep the certificate.

•  Register at a Fahrschule (driving school). You don’t need mandatory lesson hours like a first-timer, but the school registers you for the official exams. A school with English-speaking instructors makes this much smoother.

•  Pass the theory test (Theorieprüfung). 30 multiple-choice questions, available in English. Your Fahrschule will arrange the exam appointment with TÜV or DEKRA.

•  Pass the practical driving test (Fahrprüfung). Your Fahrschule instructor will assess when you’re ready and book the exam. The test takes 45–60 minutes on public roads with an official examiner.

Once you have passed both tests, you can complete the full conversion application with all your documents.

Step 4 — Book Your Appointment at the Führerscheinstelle

This is the dedicated driving license authority in your city — the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde. Search for: [Your City] Führerscheinstelle Umschreibung ausländischer Führerschein Drittland. Book as early as you can — in Berlin and Munich, appointments fill up weeks in advance.

Step 5 — Attend Your Appointment

Bring every document on your list. The appointment itself is 10–15 minutes. You submit your documents and pay the fee. In most cities, you keep your foreign license while the application is being processed.

Step 6 — Wait

The authority verifies your license with your country’s relevant body or embassy. You’ll receive a letter when your new license is ready. No need to follow up or chase anything.

Step 7 — Collect Your German License

Go to the Führerscheinstelle with your passport, collect your new EU driving license, and hand over your old foreign one. Done.

Application fee: approximately €37–43 (varies by city and license category)

Group A applicants typically pay only this fee, plus a certified translation if needed (approximately €60).

Group B applicants should budget for the full set:

•  Eye test (Sehtest): under €10 — often free at Fielmann

•  First aid course (Erste-Hilfe-Kurs): approximately €70

•  Driving school registration + exam preparation: varies by school — ask for a Umschreibungspaket (conversion package), which some Fahrschulen offer at a reduced rate for existing license holders

•  Theory test (Theorieprüfung): approximately €25

•  Practical driving test (Fahrprüfung): approximately €120

Processing time after submitting your full application:

•  Most German cities: 2–6 weeks

•  Berlin: currently 2–4 months — check current times at berlin.de/labo/mobilitaet/aktuelles

In most cases, once your application is accepted, you can continue driving on your foreign license during processing. Confirm this explicitly with your Führerscheinstelle — it can vary by state.

Can I still drive after 6 months if my application is already submitted?

In most cases, yes. Submitting your application before the deadline generally allows you to keep driving while it’s processed. Confirm this in writing with your local Führerscheinstelle so you have something to show if stopped.

My license expired after I moved to Germany. Can I still convert it?

Not directly. Your non-EU license must be valid at the time of conversion. If it expired after you arrived, you’ll typically need to renew it in your home country first before the German authorities will allow the conversion process.