Applying for recognition as a driving instructor with a foreign professional qualification

Application

You submit an application for a driving instructor license to the competent authority. You can submit the application with the documents to the relevant office, send it by post or upload it electronically. Do not send any originals.

Examination of equivalence

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the equivalence check

If your professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. You must still meet the other requirements and provide proof of your language skills. You will then receive your driving instructor license. If your professional qualification is not equivalent, it will not be recognized. You will then receive notification of the differences in your professional qualification.

Compensatory measures

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can take a compensation measure.
There are various compensation measures:

• Adaptation course: The adaptation course is a practical post-qualification and lasts a maximum of 3 years. In the adaptation period, you have to complete written exercises and give theoretical and practical lessons.
• Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only the differences identified by the competent body are tested. The aptitude test consists of a written and oral examination. You will also have to take part in theoretical and practical driving lessons.

You can often choose between an adaptation period and an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensation measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive your driving instructor license.

• You submit an "Application for a driving instructor license" to the competent authority.
• For professional qualifications from the EU/EEA/Switzerland: You can submit the application and the documents directly to the competent authority or to the Point of Single Contact. You can also submit the application electronically via the Single Point of Contact.
• The responsible office will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the professional qualification.
• The competent body will then compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and check the equivalence. If your professional qualification is equivalent, it will be recognized. You must still meet the other requirements and provide proof of your language skills. You will then receive the driving instructor license as a written document.
• If your professional qualification is not equivalent, it will not be recognized. You will then receive written notification of the differences in your professional qualification.
• If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can choose between an aptitude test and an adaptation period in order to compensate for the differences.
• In the aptitude test, only the differences identified by the competent authority will be examined. The aptitude test consists of a written and oral examination. You will also have to take theory and practical driving lessons.
• The adaptation period is a practical post-qualification course and lasts a maximum of 3 years. During the adaptation period, you must complete written exercises and give theoretical and practical lessons.
• If you complete the adaptation course or pass the aptitude test (and meet all other requirements), you will receive the driving instructor license as a written document.
• You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first speak to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

You must contact the municipal administration of the independent municipality, the association municipality administration or, in independent and large cities, the city administration.

Local responsibility lies with the municipal administration of the independent municipality, the association municipality administration and, in independent and large cities, the city administration.

• You have a professional qualification as a driving instructor from abroad.
• You are at least 21 years old.
• You are mentally and physically fit.
• You are professionally and pedagogically qualified.
• You have a valid driving license.
• You have not violated the requirements for driving instructors.
• You have the necessary knowledge of German to teach learner drivers.
• You want to work in the profession in Germany.

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
• officially certified copy of your qualification certificate as a driving instructor
• Valid driving license for the relevant driving license categories
• If work as a driving instructor is not regulated in the country of training: A certificate stating that you have worked as a driving instructor for at least 2 years in the last 10 years.
• Proof of your professional experience as a driving instructor
• Proof of your reliability from the country of your professional qualification: For example, an extract from your criminal record or a Certificate of Good Standing. The proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
• Proof of your health suitability from the country of your professional qualification: This is, for example, a medical certificate. The proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
  

The responsible office will tell you which documents you need to submit in the original or as a copy.

If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

Additional costs may be incurred (e.g. for translations and notarizations). These costs vary from case to case.

There is no deadline.

• §§ 1, 3, 5 Fahrlehrergesetz
• § 1 Durchführungsverordnung zum Fahrlehrergesetz
• Nr. 302.2 Anlage zur Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr
• § 10 Bundesvertriebenengesetz

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (for example, by lodging an objection). The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. You should first speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.

• Forms: Forms can be obtained from the responsible office.
• Online procedure possible: via the Single Point of Contact
• Written form required: possibly
• Personal appearance required: no

• Online procedure with the Point of Single Contact
  

  Remark: Note: Online procedures are generally only possible for professional qualifications from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.

Freedom to provide services

Are you established in another EU or EEA member state or in Switzerland? Then you can also work temporarily and occasionally on a self-employed basis in Germany. A note will then be entered in your driving instructor license. However, special conditions apply: You must notify the competent authority of your work in advance. The competent authority will inform you about the exact procedure.

Procedure for late repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you which procedure is right for you.

04.06.2025