The acquisition of driving licences is governed by the Regulations for the Licensing of Drivers (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV). Pursuant to these, holders of foreign driving licences who do not have a German or EU licence are obliged to obtain a German licence within six months of taking up residence in the Federal Republic of Germany. Once this deadline has passed, driving without having converted one’s licence is deemed equivalent to driving without a licence under section 21 of the Road Traffic Act and may have the consequences set out therein. The driving licence issuing office may, upon application, extend the deadline to up to six months if applicants can provide credible proof that they will be permanently resident in Germany for no longer than twelve months.

Home-based members of diplomatic missions and career consular posts who hold a valid foreign driving licence may receive a German driving licence free of charge from their local driving licence issuing office if they apply for their licence to be converted within six months of their entry into Germany and all other requirements are met. Further information on this issue can be obtained from the local driving licence issuing office.

Members of diplomatic missions or career consular posts not registered on the Diplomatic or Consular List (e.g. administrative and technical staff) and private domestic staff who possess a valid foreign driving licence from a country listed in Annex 11 FeV (country list) should convert their licence into a German one at their local driving licence issuing office.

It is not necessary to take a theory examination or practical driving test. The application forms can be obtained from the local driving licence issuing office.

Locally employed staff, members of diplomatic missions or career consular posts not registered on the Diplomatic or Consular List (e.g. administrative and technical staff) and private domestic staff who possess a valid foreign driving licence from a country not listed in Annex 11 FeV (“Staatenliste”) (country list) must take both the theory examination and the practical driving test if they wish to obtain a German driving licence.