You can have driving licenses from the following countries converted:

• from EU member
  states EU member states (as of September 15, 2016) are:
  Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, and Cyprus
• from EEA countries
  Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
• from countries listed in Appendix 11 to the Driving License Regulation (FeV) (see list of countries)
• from all other countries (third countries)

Driving licenses from EU/EEA countries are reissued by the driver's license authority without a new driving test.

For driving licenses from countries listed in Appendix 11 to the FeV, we waive the test in whole or in part.

Holders of driving licenses from all other countries (third countries) must take the theoretical and practical tests at a technical testing center for motor vehicle traffic. This can only be done with the participation of a driving school. However, the driving school training (theoretical and practical lessons) required for first-time applicants is not necessary. You must

present the original foreign driver's license at the time of issuance of the German driver's license. We will only issue the German driver's license upon surrender of the foreign driver's license.

We generally recognize foreign EU driver's licenses (national foreign driver's licenses from an EU member state). Please note the validity period of the respective driver's license.

The conversion of an EU driver's license, including a foreign EU card driver's license, is required, among other things, if you apply for an international driver's license (e.g., for travel to countries outside Europe, the USA, etc.).

Further information on the validity of foreign driver's licenses in Germany can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

Application

• You must come to us in person for this. (Reason: identification and signature)

• You must be registered with your primary residence in Mainz.
• You must bring your valid foreign driver's license with you when you enter the country and present it to us.

Special provisions apply to holders of foreign driving licenses in the Driving License Regulation.

approximately 6 to 8 weeks

• Application form (also available at the driving school)
• Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait orientation, full-face shot) Digital codes
  are not accepted!

Note:
As of May 1, 2025, the regulation requiring you to submit a digital passport photo to the registration office applies to passport photos for ID cards and passports. However, this requirement does not apply to the driver’s license office and therefore does not affect applications for driver’s license documents. The Driver’s License Authority has the technical equipment available for taking photos on-site. You may continue to submit passport photos in analog form, preferably along with the complete application documents, to the Driver’s License Authority.

• Passport or ID Card
• Valid foreign driver’s license (original and copy)
  Your foreign driver’s license must still be valid at the time you apply for a German driver’s license (exception: EU/EEA driver’s licenses).
  We do not convert international driver’s licenses. You always need a valid national driver’s license.
• Officially certified translation of the foreign driver’s license with classification of the respective driver’s license class(es)
  This can be done by a German or internationally recognized automobile club in the country where the driver’s license was issued, by an official agency in the country where the driver’s license was issued, or by court-appointed and generally sworn interpreters and translators.
  • This applies to all non-EU countries and Greece (due to the Cyrillic script).
  • In case of doubt, the driver’s license authority will decide whether you must submit a translation of the foreign driver’s license.
• The driver’s license authority will obtain the confirmation from the immigration office regarding entry/re-entry or the establishment of primary residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • This applies to all non-EU countries.
• When converting car or motorcycle driver’s licenses from third countries, you will need:
  • an eye exam
  • proof of “first aid training”

• When converting bus driver’s licenses from third countries
  • Certificate of first aid training
  • Certificate of physical and mental fitness
  • Certificate of medical examination of vision
  • Certificate of psychological testing

• In certain cases, you will need a police clearance certificate for official purposes (document type 0). This will be specifically mentioned and explained during the application process.

In addition, we require specific documents. These depend on the country of issue of the driver’s license to be converted. Please inquire with the driver’s license authority regarding any additional required documents.

When picking up your card-style driver’s license at the Driver’s License Office, please bring the following documents:

• For in-person pickup
  • Letter from the Driver’s License Authority
  • Identification document
• If picking up by an authorized representative
  
  • Letter from the Driver’s License Office
  • Identification documents for both individuals
  • Written power of attorney

• Without examination: €37.50 to €38.30 (with probationary period)
• with examination: €45.10 to €45.90 (with probationary period)

Cash / EC