Recognition/Exchange of foreign driving license
The regulations for exchanging a foreign driving license are so extensive that a preliminary inquiry at the road traffic office is important. The conversion is checked and coordinated on a case-by-case basis.
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Driver's licenses from countries outside the EU/EEA
Individuals holding a driver's license from a country outside the European Union (EU) or outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are allowed to operate motor vehicles with this license for six months from the establishment of their regular residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
After this period, conversion into an EU driver's license is required. During the conversion process, the driver's license must be verified through a valid license.
Depending on the issuing country of the driver's license, a complete or partial driver's license examination may be required.
Driver's licenses from EU/EEA countries
A conversion for holders of driver's licenses from member states of the European Union (EU) as well as from Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland (EEA) is generally only required after the expiration of the validity of the license.
- valid official identification document
- EU driving license or valid foreign driving license
- current biometric passport photo
For driving licenses outside the EU additionally:
- Translation/classification
- if applicable, TÜV test confirmation
Which documents are specifically required depends on your individual case. Please coordinate the documents to be submitted in advance with the road traffic office.
Possible without examination since August 18, 2026
Since August 18, 2026, a driver's license issued in Ukraine can generally be converted into a corresponding German driver's license without a theoretical and practical examination.
This is based on the inclusion of Ukraine in Annex 11 of the Driver's License Regulation (FeV) through the "First Ordinance to Amend the Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance and Other Road Traffic Regulations," published on August 17, 2026 (Federal Law Gazette 2026 I No. 236).
How to apply for the conversion
The conversion must be personally applied for at the Road Traffic Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis in Gummersbach.
Please book an online appointment in advance for the matter: "Conversion of foreign driver's license Non-EU"
The following documents are required
• valid official identification document
• valid Ukrainian driver's license
• current biometric passport photo in printed form
• translation/classification of the Ukrainian driver's license
Before issuing a driver's license for classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE, the applicant must additionally prove their fitness according to the Annex 5 FeV and the fulfillment of the vision requirements according to Annex 6 FeV. Therefore, the following additional documents must be submitted:
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Certificate of an ophthalmological examination according to Annex 6 No. 2 FeV (not older than 2 years)
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Certificate of a medical examination (e.g., by traffic or occupational physicians) according to Annex 5 No. 1 FeV (not older than 1 year)
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for classes D1 and D: Certificate according to Annex 5 No. 2 FeV, so-called performance test (not older than 1 year)
Special features for driver's license classes C and D
If Ukrainian classes C or D were issued without class B, the theoretical and practical examination must be taken for the issuance of class B. The issuance of class C or D without prior issuance of class B is not provided.