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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:

Verkehrsüberwachungsamt


The tasks of the Traffic Monitoring Office, which was founded in 1987, cover the major topic of "motor vehicles" in all organizational areas.
This involves not only the often controversial operations, e.g. against parking offences, but also, since the incorporation of the traffic department, formerly part of the public order office, in 2004, all matters relating to vehicle operation (from registration and re-registration to immobilization) as well as, for example, driver's licenses, cab licences, bus permits, driving school and driving instructor permits.

The three departments of Office 31 are divided into

Address

Rhabanusstraße 3
55118 Mainz
Remark:
Bonifazius Tower A

Postal address

Postal address 3820
55028 Mainz

Contact

Telephone

06131 122777

Fax

06131 123086

Opening hours

Monday 9 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm
Tuesday 9 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm
Wednesday 9 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm
Thursday 9 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm
Friday 9 am to 1 pm

Please note the different opening hours of the Driver's License Office and the Vehicle Registration Office.

Contact person

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