Driving in Germany on a Foreign License (2026)
You can drive in Germany on an EU or EEA license until it expires, with no conversion needed. A non-EU license is valid for six months after you register your address, after which you must convert it. Whether you need a driving test depends on your country.
Key Takeaways (2026)
- EU/EEA licenses are valid in Germany until their expiry date. No exchange is required (§28 FeV).
- Non-EU licenses are valid for six months after you register your residence, under §29 FeV, then must be converted.
- Whether a driving test is required depends on your country (reciprocity list, Anlage 11 FeV). Many countries convert with no test.
- Importing a used car within the EU has no customs duties, but you must register it and have car insurance in place first.
- Car insurance (KFZ-Versicherung) is mandatory before registration; you need an eVB number to register any car.
EU vs Non-EU Licenses
EU and EEA Licenses
If your driving license was issued by an EU or EEA member state, it remains valid in Germany until its printed expiry date. You do not need to convert it, although you can exchange it voluntarily. One exception: licenses for heavy or professional categories (C and D classes) are recognised for a maximum of five years from issue, after which they need renewal.
Non-EU (Third-Country) Licenses
A license from outside the EU/EEA is valid in Germany for six months after you establish your ordinary residence, which usually starts on the date of your Anmeldung (residence registration). This rule is set in §29 of the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV). In limited cases, the licensing authority can extend the period by up to six more months if you credibly show your stay will not exceed twelve months in total.
After the six-month window ends, driving on your foreign license is no longer permitted. Driving without a valid license is a criminal offence in Germany. Start the conversion process early.
Converting a Non-EU License (Umschreibung)
Germany decides whether you need a test based on a reciprocity list (Anlage 11 FeV) under §31 FeV. Your outcome falls into one of three categories.
| Category | Who it applies to | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Full exchange, no test | Listed countries: UK, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, South Africa, most US states, most Canadian provinces, most Australian states | Hand in your license; receive a German one |
| Theory test only | Certain US states/territories on the list | Pass the German theory test, no practical test |
| Full theory + practical test | Countries not on Anlage 11, or license classes not listed | Pass both the theory and practical driving tests |
Source: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) §31 and Anlage 11; Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr. Country lists can change, so confirm with your local Führerscheinstelle.
Translation and International Driving Permit
During your first six months, if you hold a non-EU license you must carry the original license plus one of the following: a certified German translation, or a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country. A translation from a recognised automobile club such as ADAC or a sworn translator is accepted.
Some local authorities accept only a certified translation and not an IDP. To be safe, carry both your original license and a certified German translation.
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Importing and Registering a Car
If you bring a used car from another EU country, there are no customs duties for a private import. You register the car at your local vehicle registration office (German: Zulassungsstelle). Bring these documents:
- Valid ID (passport); non-EU citizens also need a residence permit
- An eVB number from your German insurer (proof of car insurance)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC) confirming EU type approval
- The original foreign registration documents (logbook)
- A valid roadworthiness inspection (HU / TÜV)
- Purchase invoice or contract, and a SEPA mandate for car tax (Kfz-Steuer)
There are no German customs duties for an EU used car. VAT is only due if the car is "new" under §1b of the VAT Act (UStG), meaning under six months old or with under 6,000 km. Ordinary second-hand cars are exempt.
Financing the car? Compare a car loan for expats in Germany, or read our guide to the overall cost of living in Germany 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Germany with a foreign license?
Yes. If your license is from an EU or EEA country, it stays valid in Germany until its expiry date with no conversion needed. If it is from a non-EU country, you may drive on it for six months after you register your residence (Anmeldung). After that you must convert it to a German license to keep driving.
How long can I drive on a non-EU license in Germany?
Six months from the date you establish your ordinary residence in Germany (usually the date of your Anmeldung), under §29 of the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV). In limited cases the licensing authority can extend this by up to six more months if you prove your stay will not exceed twelve months total. After the deadline, driving on the foreign license is no longer allowed.
Do I need to take a driving test to convert my license?
It depends on your country. Germany uses a reciprocity list (Anlage 11 FeV). Licenses from many listed countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most US states, Canadian provinces and Australian states, are exchanged with no test. Some US states require only a theory test. If your country is not on the list, you must pass both the theory and practical driving tests.
Do I need a translation of my foreign license?
During the first six months, non-EU drivers must carry the original license plus either a certified German translation or a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). A translation from a recognised motoring club (such as ADAC) or a sworn translator is accepted. Some local authorities accept only a certified translation, so check with your Führerscheinstelle.
How do I import a car from another EU country to Germany?
For a used car bought privately within the EU there are no customs duties. You register it at the local vehicle registration office (Zulassungsstelle) with your ID and residence permit, the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), the original foreign registration papers, a valid roadworthiness inspection (HU/TÜV), proof of insurance via an eVB number, and a SEPA mandate for car tax. Car insurance must be in place before registration.
Do I pay VAT when importing a used car from the EU?
Not for an ordinary used car bought privately within the EU. VAT is only due in Germany for a 'new' vehicle, defined as under six months old or with under 6,000 km, under §1b of the German VAT Act (UStG). Standard second-hand cars are exempt from German import VAT.
Do I need German car insurance before registering an imported car?
Yes. Third-party liability car insurance (KFZ-Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory in Germany and must be active before you can register the vehicle. Your insurer gives you an eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation) that you present at the Zulassungsstelle. You can compare and arrange this online in English.
Authority Sources
- Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) §29 -validity of foreign licenses, official law text.
- FeV §31 and Anlage 11 -conversion rules and the reciprocity list.
- ADAC -Germany's largest motoring club, guidance on importing a car.