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How to get a German driving licence as a foreigner

Getting a Führerschein in Germany follows the same steps for everyone who lives here – your nationality does not matter, but your place of residence does. Here is the process for a car licence (class B).

1. Check whether you need a new licence at all

A licence from an EU or EEA country stays valid in Germany. A licence from outside the EU is usually valid for six months after you move here. After that you need a German licence; depending on the country you get it by conversion with fewer or no exams, or you take the theory and practical exams. Ask your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence office) what applies to your licence. Holders of Ukrainian licences benefit from special EU rules – check the current situation there too.

2. Eye test, first aid and photo

You need a Sehtest (eye test, done at many opticians), a one-day Erste-Hilfe-Kurs (first aid course) and a biometric passport photo. Keep the certificates – they go with your application.

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3. Register at a driving school and apply

Sign up with a Fahrschule. Together with the documents above, you apply for the licence at the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde of your city; many driving schools help with the application. You need to be registered at an address in Germany. The minimum age is 18, or 17 with accompanied driving (BF17).

4. Theory lessons and the theory exam

For class B you attend 14 theory lessons of 90 minutes at the driving school (12 basic, 2 car-specific). Then you take the theory exam on a computer at TÜV or DEKRA: 30 questions, a maximum of 10 error points. You can take it in German or in several foreign languages, including English, Arabic, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian.

5. Driving lessons and the practical exam

Besides normal lessons, 12 special drives are compulsory: 5 on country roads, 4 on the Autobahn and 3 at night. When your instructor thinks you are ready, you take the practical exam with an examiner. It must be passed within 12 months of passing the theory exam.

How much does it cost?

Prices depend on the city and on how many lessons you need, and in total they are commonly several thousand euros. Ask two or three driving schools for a full price list (base fee, price per lesson, special drives, exam fees) before you sign.

Prepare in your language

→ How to pass the German theory test on the first try

The theory exam is the step where language matters most. Fahrlingua lets you practise every question in your language with the German original side by side, so you also learn the German terms you will hear in your driving lessons.

Pass the German driving theory test in your language

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