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How to Get a German Driving License |
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 After your arrival in Germany and registered with the local authorities
you may drive legally on your existing driving licence for 6 months.
Prior to this point you are required to apply for a German Driving
licence.
If you have lived in Germany for more than three years, please
disregard this instruction and follow those applying to a German
citizen.
Prior to applying for the German driving licence:
- You will need to have your current driving licence translated into
German. A translation can be done at the ADAC office and costs
approximately € 35,00.
- Two passport photographs are required
- A first aid class needs to be attended. The costs will be
approximately € 20,--. Information where the next course will take
place can be obtained from your Relocation Company.
- You will be required to take an eye test. This can be done at any
optical store for about €6. Make sure that you take your passport and
your current glasses or contact lenses with you. For all EU countries
(including Ireland, Liechtenstein and Norway ) and some US federal
states it will be sufficient to apply at the local authority for a
German driving license. Please contact your Relocation Company to
obtain a list of all countries, required to register with a driving
school, pass a theoretical or/and a practical exam.
- The next step is to contact and register with a driving school. If
you need contacts for English speaking driving schools, please contact
your Relocation Company.
- At this point please ensure you have all necessary items in order to apply for your German driving licence:
- Passport
- Current driving licence
- Passport photographs
- Certificate from first aid class
- Paperwork from your driving school
- Translation of current driving licence
- Certificate from the eye test
- Money
Depending on the State where your current driving licence was issued
you will need to pass the theoretical and/or practical exams. You may
pick up your German driving license after both exams have been passed.
Please be aware, that normally the authorities need between 4 to 6
weeks to provide you with the German driving license. We recommend
initiating this process 3 months after registration with the local
authorities. Refusal to change your driving license into a valid German
driving licence will result in your inability to drive in Germany. Six
months after registration with the local authorities your current
driving license will be invalid. Driving on this license is a criminal
offence and will result in criminal action.
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First Steps 
