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

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.