Driver's license transfer from third countries outside the EU or EEA

If you have a driving license from a third country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and have moved to Germany, you must have your driving license transferred.

To do this, you must take a theoretical and practical test in Germany.

The "Annex 11 states" are an exception to this rule. If you have a driving license from a country listed in Annex 11 of the Driving License Ordinance, you do not have to take a test or only one test.

The following non-EU or non-EEA countries are "Annex 11 countries":

• Albania
• Andorra
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• French Polynesia
• Gibraltar
• Guernsey
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Japan
• Jersey
• Canada
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Republic of Korea
• Republic of North Macedonia
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• Serbia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom (UK)
• United States of America (USA)

In addition, your driving license from a third country outside the EU and EEA is still valid if your normal place of residence is not in Germany and you belong to the following groups:

• Commuter
• Student
• Pupil

You apply for the transfer of your driving license at the local driving license authority.

When the driving license is transferred, the driving license authority retains the foreign driving license and sends it back to the competent authority in the issuing country or the local driving license authority.

More information

• Merkblatt für Inhaber ausländischer Fahrerlaubnisse (Führerscheine) aus Staaten außerhalb der Europäischen Union und des Europäischen Wirtschaftsraums über Führerscheinbestimmungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
• Anlage 11 (zu § 31) Verordnung über die Zulassung von Personen zum Straßenverkehr (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung - FeV)

• You have a driving license from a third country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
• You are resident in Germany. This means that
  • You live in the same home for at least 185 days a year.

Legal basis

• § 28 Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV)
• § 30 Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV)
• § 31 Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV)

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