Driving licence foreign (EU/EEA countries): rewrite

EU/EEA driving licences must be rewritten if, after taking up residence in Germany, the validity of the driving licence or the period of validity of the driving licence or individual categories of driving licence is due to be extended.

EU/EEA driver's licenses in harmonized categories (categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE) do not generally require a transfer.

A transfer is required if the validity of the driving license or the period of validity of the driving license or individual driving license categories is due to be extended after taking up residence in Germany.

Please note:
In the case of driving license categories that are limited in Germany (categories C and D as well as corresponding subcategories and trailer categories), the German period of validity also applies if no or longer periods are entered in the foreign driving license.

Holders of EU/EEA driver's licenses for non-harmonized categories may drive motor vehicles in Germany within the scope of their entitlement after taking up residence in Germany as long as the foreign driver's license is valid, but for no longer than 6 months. If a motor vehicle is to continue to be driven in Germany after this period, a German driving license must be issued on the basis of the foreign driving license (so-called transfer). See also: Transferring a foreign (non-EU/EEA) driving license.

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) provides detailed information on the recognition of foreign driving licenses in Germany on its website under "Validity of foreign driving licenses in the Federal Republic of Germany".

There you will also find an "Information sheet for holders of foreign driving licenses from EU and EEA states on driving license regulations in the Federal Republic of Germany".

Contact the driving licence authority of your district or independent city in which you have your main residence.

• Official proof of place and date of birth.
• A current biometric photograph (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal image). Information and examples can be found in the photo sample board (Bundesdruckerei)
• Foreign driving licence

Further information can be obtained from your competent driving licence authority.

§§ 28 and 30 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV)

The application must be made in writing or in electronic form.

Contact the driving licence authority of the place where you have your main residence.

The amount of the fee is based on the scale of charges for road transport measures (GebOSt). Their amount depends on various factors. Information can be obtained in individual cases from the locally competent driving licence authority.

Scale of charges for road transport measures (GebOSt)