How to Buy a Driving License in Germany
If you are moving to Germany from a foreign country or US state that has reciprocity with Germany then you can exchange your license. In some cases you may need to pass a theory and practical exam.
Prices vary, so shop around! Be sure to choose a reliable driving school.
What is a driver's license?
A driving license is a document that allows you to drive the vehicle. It includes information like your name, father's name, date of birth, address, authorized vehicle types, emergency contact, fingerprint impression, blood group and driver's photo. The driving licence also includes a magnetic strip though this is not yet used.
If you decide to take driving tests in Germany, you will need to pass both a theory and practical test. The driving test usually lasts 45 minutes and is conducted by a qualified examiner. conversational tone will also ask you some general questions, and will ask you questions about German road signs, regulations and other details. The examiner will inform you if you have passed or not after the test. If you succeed, you will receive an authorization slip that allows you to drive until you take your license for a few weeks later.
When you take your driving test, the most important thing to do is to be calm and relaxed. The majority of people fail their driving test because they panic or don't remember the rules of road. It is also crucial to practice driving as much as you can before the actual exam especially if you're from a country where driving regulations differ.
If you're staying in Germany for a short duration the driving license from your home country may suffice. If you're planning to move permanently to Germany then you'll require an updated driving license. Luckily, a majority of countries have reciprocal agreements with Germany and you can exchange your driving licence in exchange for the Fuhrerschein when you register your address in Germany.
You have to present your first certificates that confirm your health and vision. You must also complete driving lessons at a German Fahrschule, and be able to pass both the theoretical and practical tests before you can get your license. It's expensive, but it is the only way to legally drive a car in Germany. You can locate driving schools that speak English on the internet using this search aggregator.
How do I obtain an German driver's license?
You might be able exchange your driving license for the Fuhrerschein without having to pass a theoretical test or a practical test if are a resident of an agreement country with Germany. The procedure for doing this differs from one country to another and you should check with the local driving office to get up-to-date details. In general, though, you'll need to register your residence and provide documents showing that you're healthy and have good eyesight. In certain instances you'll also have to submit certificates attesting that your license is not suspended or removed.
For instance, if from Australia or New Zealand, you can change your license to one of a German one without having to pass any tests. If you're from South Australia, Tasmania, or Victoria However you'll have to pass a theory and practical test to get a full license.
For those who come from a country that does not have an agreement with Germany or the United States, the process of obtaining a German driving license is more difficult. In most cases, you'll need to take a course at driving school and pass a theory and practical exam before you can receive Fuhrerschein. You'll need to register your vehicle and complete a first-aid course.
You'll need to schedule an appointment with your Strassenverkehrsamt or Fuhrerscheinstelle, and bring all the required documentation. You'll be sent a confirmation letter after your appointment. It will tell you when you can pick up your German driving license. Your application can take up to six weeks to process.
Once you have a German driving license valid for 15 years. If it's about to expire, you can renew it by bringing your driver's license and a passport photo to an authority for licensing in your area. There's a small fee, usually around EUR24. If you lose your German driving license, you should contact the licensing authority immediately to prevent unauthorized use of your identity or unlawful actions. You'll need to submit an acknowledgement letter that states that you will return your license if it is discovered.
Can I get a German driving license if I have an international license?
If you hold a license from an EU or EEA country or a country which has a special reciprocity agreement with Germany, then you are able to swap your driving license from a foreign country for one that is a German one without taking any practical or theoretical tests. This is typically only possible if you've been driving for a long period of time and have established a normal residence in Germany and have registered your residence address with the authorities.
You will still be required to provide proof of identity and a passport photo. Additionally, you will need to register your vehicle with the authorities and undergo a safety check (TUV). In Germany, you must also have insurance for your car. You can find out more about this on our page on driving in Germany.
As a general rule you are only able to keep your driver's licence for 15 years. It is recommended to renew your license at least four weeks before the date on which it expires. This will give you time to complete all required documentation. You'll need to bring the renewal form along with your current driving license and a recent passport photograph along with you.
The requirements for changing your driving license from another country can vary based the location you reside in. If you are unsure then we suggest you contact the local driver's licensing office (Fuhrerscheinstelle) to get more detailed information.
If you're trying to exchange a foreign licence to a German one, you will require an unwritten statement or theft report (as as well as the original document) and an authentic passport photo. You'll also need to pass a medical exam and a written or practical driving test.
During the test for practical driving during the test, you'll be asked questions regarding traffic laws in Germany. Then, you'll be given the opportunity to show your driving skills on a public road. If you pass, you'll receive your new German driving license a few weeks later.
Can I get a German driving license if I have a US license?
Rules vary depending on where the license was issued. In the US every state has its own set of regulations for licensing drivers. For instance, in Massachusetts, people who have an active German driving license are able to drive in the USA for a maximum of one year without requiring an exchange or having their US licenses amended.
For those who plan to remain in the USA for a longer time frame, or return to Germany as a resident, it is recommended to obtain an international driver's license while in the USA. If you don't, you'll need to change your American driving license to a German one at the time you visit the Fuhrerscheinstelle in Germany.
You can find information about the process and the documentation required in Anlage 11 of the German Federal Road Traffic Act (Standard-Fahrzeugsteuergesetz, SFTG). führerschein kaufen ohne prüfung contains a list of states and countries in which a driver’s license from the country can be transferred without having to retake a driving test. The list includes Alabama, Arkansas Colorado, Florida Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky Louisiana, Mississippi Missouri, Montana Minnesota, North Carolina Nebraska Nevada Ohio, Oklahoma South Dakota Tennessee Texas Virginia and West Virginia.
If you do not come from a state or country that is listed in Anlage 11 or you wish to obtain a different license, you have to complete the course of instruction and pass the tests. This means signing up with a driving school, taking the theory classes, passing an exam written (multiple-choice) test and an actual driving test in order to demonstrate that you understand the rules of the road and can manage a car. The driving test is administered by an experienced examiner. The cost of the theory and driving classes will vary, but can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand euros.
You will also have to purchase mandatory car insurance. The cost will differ from one company to the next company. Compare quotes online. Some of the largest companies in Germany are DA Direkt and ADAC.