Direct Exchange: Submit Your Application, No Exams

For EU/EEA and Annex 11 countries: bring your documents to the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, pay the fee, and your German license arrives by post in 2–6 weeks. Ukraine is added by the 2026 amendment, which is not yet in force.

✓ Verified: 15/08/2026

WHAT TO DO

Book an appointment (Termin) at your Fahrerlaubnisbehörde — 6–10 weeks wait in larger cities

Prepare your full document set (see checklist below)
Attend your appointment, submit documents, and pay the processing fee
Receive a temporary permit on the day; German driving card arrives by post within 2–6 weeks

AUTHORITY

Fahrerlaubnisbehörde / Straßenverkehrsamt

Municipal authority

The driving licence office belongs to your district or city administration. Enter your postcode and we will show yours.

Enter 5 digits — we show your local office

Where to go in your city →

DOCUMENTS 7

Valid passport or EU identity card
Biometric photo (35×45 mm, current)
Original foreign driving license
Certified translation (if license is not in Latin script)
Sehtestbescheinigung (vision test certificate, under 2 years old)
Application form (Antrag auf Umschreibung — available at the authority or online)
Proof of registered address in Germany (Meldebescheinigung)

COSTS

€

Processing fee €30–50

Varies by state and municipality

The simplified route: just paperwork

If your home country is in the EU/EEA or on Annex 11, the entire exchange process is administrative. No exams, no driving school. You submit documents, pay a small fee, and wait for the post. Ukraine is added by the FeV amendment adopted in July 2026, which only takes effect the day after it is published in the Federal Law Gazette — so check the current status with your authority before applying.

The main challenge is the appointment queue, not the process itself.

Booking the appointment: start immediately

In large German cities — Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt — appointment slots at the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde can be booked out 6–10 weeks in advance. Don’t wait until you have all your documents ready to start booking. Book your slot the moment you register your address in Germany, then gather documents in parallel.

At the appointment

Come with the complete document set. The officer checks your identity, verifies the documents, processes payment, and takes your foreign license. You leave with a Vorläufiger Nachweis — a temporary permit that serves as your license until the card arrives.

The actual German driving license (credit-card format) is produced centrally and delivered to your registered address by post.

› Details and tips

👨🏻‍💻

Max recommends:

Set a calendar alert to check the authority's booking system daily at 7:00–8:00 AM — cancelled appointments are released early in the morning. This can cut your wait from 8 weeks to 2.

👩🏼‍💼

Lea recommends:

Make sure someone is home when the registered letter arrives — or check if your local post office allows pickup. The envelope often looks like standard post and some people miss it, then have to rebook a pickup or request a redelivery.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will they keep my original foreign license? ▾

Yes. The authority retains your original foreign license and either punches a hole through it (invalidating it) and returns it, or forwards it to the issuing country. Ukrainian licenses are typically returned to the holder with an invalidation stamp. You won't be left without any document — you receive a temporary permit immediately.

Can I submit documents online or by post? ▾

Some authorities accept postal or online submissions. The majority still require at least one in-person visit for identity verification. Check your local Straßenverkehrsamt's website for their specific process.

Are all my license categories automatically transferred? ▾

Category B (standard cars) transfers as standard. Additional categories — A (motorcycles), C (trucks), D (buses), or BE (towing) — each require separate equivalency assessment. Not every foreign sub-category has a direct German equivalent. Clarify this when booking your appointment.

How long does the whole thing take? ▾

From appointment to having a German license in hand: typically 4–8 weeks total. The appointment wait is the main bottleneck (up to 10 weeks in Berlin or Munich); processing after submission takes 2–6 weeks. The card is printed centrally and sent by registered post.

What if I can't get an appointment before my 6-month deadline? ▾

Call the authority and explain the situation — most offices hold some emergency slots for people approaching the deadline. You can also contact the regional transport authority (Landesbehörde) for options. Additionally, if you have an International Driving Permit, it may extend your ability to drive temporarily.