How to Buy a German EU Driving License
If you're a resident of an EU or EEA country, your driving licence is valid in Germany. You have to exchange your driving license to a German one within six months of moving to Germany.
You must register your address at the Burgeramt. The cost will vary between EUR43 and 73.
Cost
It can be costly to get the German EU driver's license. You'll have to pay not only for your driving lessons, but also for a car of good quality and safety equipment. The price of these items could amount to thousands of euros. Additionally, you'll need to spend money on the necessary documents and translations. Based on the type of licence you need, you may also need to take more theory courses. Total, getting the driving license could cost around 4,000 euro.
The purchase of a German driving license can be costly but it's well worth the investment. If you're looking to learn how to drive for a reasonable cost look into a Berlin private driving school. These schools have flexible schedules and have professional instructors. They will also show you how to pass your driving test and become a qualified driving instructor.
If you are a holder of a license from an EU or EEA country, you can swap it out for one from a German one after six months of residency in Germany. You must, however, surrender your previous license and pass a theoretical and practical test. If you're a motorcycle rider, you'll require an e-motorcycle licence as well.
To exchange a non-EU driving licence for a German one, you must go to the local road traffic department (Strassenverkehrsamt) or driving license office (Fuhrerscheinstelle). The process typically takes about four weeks. To speed up the process, you should make an appointment.
Local driving license authorities are often located in the citizen bureau or county courthouses (Landratsamt). Make an appointment as soon as your driving license from abroad expires.
You'll need to bring your license along with a recent passport photo. You will then be notified as soon as the new license is ready for pick-up. Based on the location you live in, this could be as early as two weeks after you make an appointment. A fee of approximately 24 euros is also required. You can also order the new license online via the Automobile Club ADAC. It's less expensive to purchase online than to visit the driving license authority in person.
Requirements
If you're moving to Germany it is important to know that your driver's license may not be valid in the country. You may have to swap it for a German one, based on where you're from and how long you have resided in Germany for. This is due to the fact that various countries have different levels of reciprocity with Germany. If you're from Australia for instance you'll be able to enjoy full reciprocity. If you're from the US, you will have limited or no reciprocity.
There are certain requirements to meet before you can apply for a driving license in Germany. This includes passing a medical exam and a practical test and a test of theory. If you're unsure if you meet these requirements, it's an excellent idea to go to your local driving school and talk with the instructor. Ask about the preparation costs and the time required to prepare for the test.
To apply for a driving licence in Germany make contact with the local office for driving licenses. It's usually part of the city council or town hall. You'll need to bring proof of identity and a photograph. There is also a fee to pay, which varies in accordance with the location.
Once you've completed the application process, you can then take a test on theory and a practical driving test. After you've passed these tests, you'll receive your driving license in the mail. If you're a newcomer in the country, it's advisable to begin learning how to drive before you move to the United States. This will save you money and avoid the hassle of transferring your driving permit.
If you're a foreign national, you can exchange your existing license for a German one if it was issued in one of the EU/EEA member states or in one of the countries that has signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area. You must do this within six months from the date of your arrival in Germany. You'll need to go to your local citizen’s office or townhall to obtain the driving license (Fuhrerscheinstelle). There is a cost to pay, which varies by local authority.
Time is a factor.
If you're a resident of the EU or a country that has an exclusive reciprocal agreement with Germany (and also Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) You may be able to exchange your foreign driver's license for one that is a German one without taking any exams. This process, however, can take between two and six months, and could require you to attend extra driving lessons.
The first step is to make sure that your address is registered with the local authorities in Germany. This is a necessary step for anyone who wants to drive in Germany. You'll need a passport as well as proof of residency to complete this procedure. You may be asked to provide a certificate attesting your good health or eyesight.
Once you've registered your address it's time to obtain your driving licence. Depending on the country you're from, either need to pass the theory test or the practical exam. In some cases, you'll also need to pass a medical exam and submit a notarized translation of your driving licence.
The Fahrschule, the driving school, administers both tests. The theory test is a test that is written and the practical test is an on-road test. The test usually lasts 45 minutes and you will be informed within minutes whether you passed or failed.
If you're a rider, you'll have to take a separate practical and theory test. You'll also need to buy the motorcycle and all the equipment that goes with it, such as an appropriate helmet as well as gloves, jackets, and trousers. Some driving schools offer these items on rent, however it's usually cheaper to buy them yourself.
Once you've passed the practical and theory tests, you're now able to wait for your German driver's license to arrive in the mail. In the meantime, you'll be able use your temporary driving license to legally drive in Germany until you receive your German license.
Reciprocity
If you possess a valid driving licence issued by a member state of EU, it is automatically valid in Germany. However, you have to renew it in the country where it was issued. Alternately, you can ask your local driving license authority to transfer it to Germany. This process is free of charge and typically completed in four weeks. You must provide your original driver's license, a copy of the report or statement of theft or loss and a form or identity as well as a passport size photograph.
The process of transferring your driver's license to Germany is dependent on the country you reside in and whether it has a reciprocity agreement with Germany. If your home country is included in Germany's "Annex 11" list, you can exchange your foreign driver's license to a German one relatively quickly. You will need to pass a theory and a practical test to pass your German driving test.
Certain states have reciprocity agreements with Germany while others do not. For non-reciprocal states, you'll have to go through a lengthy process to obtain the driving license. Some of these include New York, California, and Wisconsin. It is best to begin the process prior to expiring your current driving license.
In addition to the driving test, you will need to pass a written examination and a medical exam. To prepare for the tests, it is recommended that driving lessons be conducted at a Fahrschule. Many drivers opt to have an instructor accompany them during the road test.
In just a few weeks, once you have passed the theory and practical tests, your new German driving license will be ready for collection. You can then drive safely in Germany! Make sure that you keep your car insured, too. You can find affordable vehicle insurance policies through Allianz Direct. This insurance will protect you from damages caused by other drivers, or accidents you cause. You can tailor your insurance policy by adding extra features such as personal accident coverage and roadside assistance.