Driving a car:
Is my driver's license valid in Germany?
If you already bring a driver's license from your home country, different regulations apply depending on the country.
Citizens of the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland:
Your driver's license is valid to the same extent as in your home country. You do not have to change anything or have it rewritten.
Citizens from another country:
You can drive in Germany for six months with your driver's license. This period applies from the day on which you registered your residence in Germany. After that, you will need a German driver's license. Whether you have to take another driving test in Germany for this depends on the country in which you acquired your driving license.
Transcription of a foreign driver's license
In general, foreign driving licenses (not from EU/EEA countries) entitle the holder to drive motor vehicles of the issued driving license classes for an initial period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Federal Republic of Germany. After this period, the licence must be re-registered. This period can be extended by us on application for a further 6 months if you can prove to the Wetteraukreis that you have been residing in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany for a maximum of 1 year (e.g. by means of a confirmation from your employer).
Driving licenses from countries according to Annex 11 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV) (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_11.html):
Annex 11 of the Driving License Ordinance lists those countries whose driving licenses are recognized to the greatest possible extent and can usually be transferred without an examination or with partial examinations. Basic requirement: validity of the driving license at the time of application. This annex is constantly updated.
Driving licenses from other countries (third countries): Driving licenses from these countries can be transferred, but a theoretical and practical test must always be taken.
In view of the large number of foreign driver's licenses, the extent to which your driver's license can be transferred under simplified conditions (without a new driving test or only a partial driving test) must be checked on a case-by-case basis. We therefore recommend that you contact the Wetteraukreis before submitting your application or discuss the necessary documents in person (by prior appointment).
These documents must always be presented:
- a current biometric photo
- driver's license application
- valid identity card, passport, or valid passport substitute
- national driver's license
- translation of the driver's license (translation only approved by: Consulate, automobile club, officially recognized and sworn translator or interpreter) - not for EU/EEA driving licenses
Costs
- EU and EEA transcriptions as well as transcriptions according to Annex 11 FeV (without examination) : 36,30 Euro to 60,60 Euro
- All other countries : 49,40 Euro - 68,20 Euro
Additional costs may be incurred depending on the individual case.
Register car and have it inspected
You need to register your car at a vehicle registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle). To do this, you will need your vehicle registration document and your car insurance policy. If you are bringing your car from abroad, ask at the registration office whether you need any other papers.
In addition to registration, every car in Germany must pass the general inspection every two years. During this inspection, the TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) checks the technical safety and the exhaust emission values of the car. You have to pay for this inspection.
Car insurance
Motor vehicle liability insurance: Motor vehicle insurance is a mandatory insurance. If you own a car or motorcycle, you must take out this insurance. The insurance pays for damages if you cause an accident with the car yourself or if you injure someone. It does not pay for repairs to your own car.
Comprehensive insurance: You can voluntarily take out additional comprehensive insurance for your own vehicle. This can cover, for example, theft or damage to your vehicle due to accidents.
Protection cover: With a Protection cover, the provider covers the costs if, for example, you break down or have an accident and therefore need a towing service or a rental car. You can obtain the letter of protection from car insurance companies and automobile clubs.
Contact
Wetteraukreis - Fachstelle Führerscheinangelegenheiten
Europaplatz Gebäude A
61169 Friedberg
Contact person
Fahrerlaubnisbehörde
Telefon 06031 83-2149
Fax 06031 83-912138
Appointments
A visit to the driver's license office is only possible with a prior appointment.
Appointments are only possible online: https://ota-wetterau.de/form/94/