Cookies erleichtern die Bereitstellung unserer Dienste. Mit der Nutzung unserer Dienste erklären Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass wir notwendige Cookies verwenden. Die Verwendung optionaler Cookies können Sie ablehnen oder nur bestimmte Cookies zulassen.

mixins.searchInfo_searchTermTransferring driving licenses from third countries outside the European Economic Area or European Union

Transferring driving licenses from third countries outside the European Economic Area or European Union

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

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.

For driving licenses from the following non-EU or EEA states, you do not need a transfer:

  • 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.

Holders of a valid foreign driving license (non-EU/EEA member state) may drive motor vehicles in Germany without restriction within the scope of their authorization if they do not have a normal place of residence in Germany. If a residence in Germany has been established, the authorization is only valid for a period of 6 months. After this period, a German driving license must be issued on the basis of the foreign driving license (so-called transfer).

Note:

EU or EEA driver's licenses of harmonized driver's license classes do not generally require a transfer and can be used without a time limit. This applies to driving license categories A to BE.

Card driving licenses issued from January 19, 2013 are limited to 15 years. However, the time limit only applies to the driving license document. This must be renewed every 15 years. Regular medical examinations or other tests are not associated with the document exchange.

The nearest responsible office to you:

Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (Führerscheinstelle)

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

Current Notes:

  • If you would like to speak to us in person, you must first make an appointment online.
  • Conversion of "old driving license" (grey or pink paper driving license) to a new EU card driving license.

You need a binding online appointment for these services:

  • Driving license matters
  • Passenger transport/driving school matters
  • Digital EU tachograph cards

Online appointment with the driving license authority

Note on making appointments

  • Appointments can only be made for citizens residing in the state capital Mainz.
  • Digit code: Immediately after making an appointment, you will receive an e-mail with the appointment confirmation and the corresponding appointment ID (numerical code). Please have this ready when you visit us!
  • Cancellation: If you are unable to keep an appointment that has already been booked, we urgently request that you cancel it. This will enable us to release it for other citizens. You will also receive a corresponding link in your appointment confirmation.
  • Complete documents: In order to save you unnecessary loss of time or duplication, please check in advance whether all requirements/documents for the respective application are available. Further information and the necessary applications can be found under the respective services.

Exchange driving license - conversion of "old driving license" to new EU card driving license

  • Due to the 3rd Driving License Directive, all driving licenses (including card driving licenses) issued before January 19, 2013 must be exchanged by January 19, 2033.
  • All EU card driving licenses issued since January 19, 2013 are valid for 15 years from the date of issue. This time limit only relates to the validity of the document and not to the issue of the driving license.

Further information on Exchanging a driving license - converting an "old driving license" into a new EU card driving license

Tasks of the driving license authority

First issue area

  • First issue of a driving license
  • Accompanied driving from the age of 17 (BF17)
  • Replacement driving license (in case of loss)
  • Exchange for EU card driving license
  • Extension of driving license categories
  • Extension of categories C1, C1E, C, CE and D1, D1E, D, DE

New issue area

  • New issue of a driving license
  • Transfer of foreign driving license
  • Issue of international driving license
  • Issue of passenger transport license
  • Acceptance of local knowledge test for cabs

Passenger transportation/driving school and driving instructor matters

  • Passenger transportation matters (cab, rental car, bus)
  • Driving school matters
  • Driving instructor matters
  • Issuing digital EU tachograph cards
  • Driver cards
  • Company cards
  • Workshop cards

Please refer to the respective service for information on the required documents and more detailed explanations of the tasks of the driving license authority.

Further tasks of the driving license authority and measures in the context of intervention management

  • Data transmission to the Federal Motor Transport Authority
  • Issuing test orders to the TÜV
  • Preparation of copies of index cards for other driving license authorities
  • Ordering EU driving licenses from the Federal Printing Office in Berlin
  • Suitability checks in the event of abnormalities due to
    aggression, alcohol, drugs, medication abuse, other physical and mental illnesses
  • Follow-up checks
  • Measures according to the driving fitness assessment system (points)
  • Measures in the event of anomalies by novice drivers on probation
  • Rejection of applications for a driving license
  • Withdrawal of a driving license
  • Revocation of the right to use a foreign driving license on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany

Adress data

Address
Elly-Beinhorn-Straße 16
55129 Mainz

Building access


Remark:
Barrier-free access available. Wheelchair-accessible WC available.
Postal address
Postal address 3820
55028 Mainz

Building access


Remark:
Barrier-free access available. Wheelchair-accessible WC available.

Contact

Telephone
06131 122424
Fax
06131 122511

Opening hours

Current:
Appointments can only be made at the times listed below by making an appointment online in advance.

You can find the link to make an appointment online in the download area.

Monday: 8 am to 12 noon
Tuesday: 8 am to 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am to 12 noon
Thursday: 8 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 5.30 pm
Friday: 8 am to 12 noon

Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays!

Please also note that due to the time required to take an affidavit in connection with the loss of a driver's license, we can only accept this until 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

Additional service - passport photo booth

  • Biometric passport photos for all official ID documents
  • Located on the first floor between the "waiting area" and "issuing area"
  • 4 passport photos cost 10 euros (price adjustment company FOTOFIX as of April 11, 2022).No change return possible.

Contact person

Show all information