Driving in Germany

Driving License
Traffic regulations

Driving in Germany

Driving License
Traffic regulations

Driving license          

Your driving license is from a country within the EU:
If you hold a valid driving license from a country within the EU (“credit card” format) you are allowed to drive with it in Germany just the same. You do not have to get a German driving license. However, if you wish, it is of course possible.

Your driving license is from a country outside the EU:
After the date of your registration in Germany, your driving license remains valid for 6 months. Please always have your driving license and a translation with you when driving. After these first 6 months, your driving license will become invalid, and you will no longer be allowed to drive with it. The 6 months will give you enough time, though, to apply for a German driving license.


It is possible to apply for a 6-month extension of this initial 6-month period if you can prove that you are not staying in Germany for more than 12 months.

To obtain a German driving license, you are generally required to pass the theory test and the practical test. In some cases, you might also need a medical check, eyesight check and/or proof of first aid abilities.
However, depending on which country/state your driving license is from, there may be exceptions. ADAC, the German automobile club, has a list of countries and states (go to www.adac.de, search for Staatenliste and select the result Staatenliste nach Anlage 11 FeV) according to which you can see if you are maybe exempt from the tests or only must pass some of them.

If the country/state you took your driving license in is not listed, you are required to pass both the German theory test and the German practical test to obtain a German driving license.

Please note the following important points:

  • Your US driving licenses must be valid for a minimum of six months after entering Germany. US driving
    licenses that have been issued or renewed after the holder’s original entry into Germany will not be
    accepted by German authorities for conversion, regardless of the state of issue, so if necessary renew your
    license before your entry date to Germany.
  • If it is less than 2 years that your driving license was last renewed, the German authority will grade you as a
    beginner. To avoid this, please get a driving record issued from your home country that proves how long you have been driving    .

How to apply for a German driving license:

Your driving license is from a country within the EU:
If you hold a valid driving license from a country within the EU (“credit card” format) you are allowed to drive with it in Germany just the same. You do not have to get a German driving license. However, if you wish, it is of course possible.

Your driving license is from a country outside the EU:
After the date of your registration in Germany, your driving license remains valid for 6 months. Please always have your driving license and a translation with you when driving. After these first 6 months, your driving license will become invalid, and you will no longer be allowed to drive with it. The 6 months will give you enough time, though, to apply for a German driving license.


It is possible to apply for a 6-month extension of this initial 6-month period if you can prove that you are not staying in Germany for more than 12 months.

To obtain a German driving license, you are generally required to pass the theory test and the practical test. In some cases, you might also need a medical check, eyesight check and/or proof of first aid abilities.
However, depending on which country/state your driving license is from, there may be exceptions. ADAC, the German automobile club, has a list of countries and states (go to www.adac.de, search for Staatenliste and select the result Staatenliste nach Anlage 11 FeV) according to which you can see if you are maybe exempt from the tests or only must pass some of them.

If the country/state you took your driving license in is not listed, you are required to pass both the German theory test and the German practical test to obtain a German driving license.

Please note the following important points:

  • Your US driving licenses must be valid for a minimum of six months after entering Germany. US driving
    licenses that have been issued or renewed after the holder’s original entry into Germany will not be
    accepted by German authorities for conversion, regardless of the state of issue, so if necessary renew your
    license before your entry date to Germany.
  • If it is less than 2 years that your driving license was last renewed, the German authority will grade you as a
    beginner. To avoid this, please get a driving record issued from your home country that proves how long you have been driving    .

Action

where

by

Get a certified translation and classification of your
current driving license
(unless it is an EU license in credit card format)

ADAC

(BLUE global relocation)
(costs to be borne by yourself)

Go for an eye test (Führerschein-Sehtest) and receive
certificate

almost any optician

yourself

Go for first aid course (Lebensrettende
Sofortmaßnahmen am Unfallort) and receive certificate

e.g. Rotes Kreuz, Malteser
Hilfsdienst, Johanniter

yourself

Contact driving school


yourself

Apply for the exchange (Umschreibung) of your license for a German one


your license will be checked for authenticity
Please make sure you have the following documents with you:

Registration office / driving license authority
allocated to your German home address

accompanied
by BLUE global relocation

Take driving lessons and test as required

driving school

yourself

Pick up new driving license

driving license authority

accompanied
by BLUE global relocation

  • Original passport or ID card
  • Eye test certificate
  • First aid course certificate
  • Your current driving license + translation
  • Current biometric passport photo
  • Proof of registration at driving school
  • Proof of registration at your new home address
  • Fee

Take driving lessons and test as required

driving school

yourself

Pick up new driving license

driving license authority

accompanied
by BLUE global relocation

How to apply for a German driving license:

Especially in larger towns and cities, it is no problem to find English-speaking driving teachers and there are even first aid courses in English. Try checking this list for a start (it is by no means complete or any form of recommendation):

Please note the approximate time frame for the application process:

  • The translation will take around 1 to 2 weeks
  • The processing of your application will take around 6 weeks

However, your new driving license will only be issued after you have passed all necessary driving tests.

Especially in larger towns and cities, it is no problem to find English-speaking driving teachers and there are even first aid courses in English. Try checking this list for a start (it is by no means complete or any form of recommendation):

Please note the approximate time frame for the application process:

  • The translation will take around 1 to 2 weeks
  • The processing of your application will take around 6 weeks

However, your new driving license will only be issued after you have passed all necessary driving tests.

Traffic regulations                   

Driving in Germany mostly like driving in most other (West) European countries, but you will find you need to adjust if you are used to driving conditions in the US.

Some points to remember:

  • Always drive on the right-hand side of the road.
  • On the Autobahn, you must also keep on the right-hand lane, unless you are moving faster and overtaking.
    You may only overtake on the left. Always use your indicator when changing lane and watch out for fast
    traffic when you change to the left lane, as cars may be going as fast as 180 km/h or even 200 km/h.
  • You may “overtake” on the right if you are in a traffic jam and your lane starts moving even though the lane
    to your left remains stationary.
  • The speed limit in towns and other built-up areas is generally 50 km/h (31 mph), especially in residential
    areas, however, it will often be only 30 km/h (18 mph). Outside built-up areas (when you have passed the
    yellow sign with the place name), the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), unless otherwise indicated. On the
    Autobahn, there is no general speed limit, however, watch out for signs limiting the speed to e.g. 120 km/h
    (75 mph) or 100 kmh. This will often be the case around large cities or during the day when there is more
    traffic. Otherwise, the officially recommended speed on the Autobahn is 130 km/h (80 mph).
  • You must share the road on equal terms with bicycles, motorbikes, slow moving farm machinery, as well as
    trams, buses, and large trucks. Watch out for cyclists, especially when doing a right turn as they may come
    up on your right between you and the side of the road wanting to go straight on. You must yield to them.
  • At unmarked intersections, traffic coming from the right always has right of way.
  • There are no right turns on a red traffic light, except in rare cases when marked by a small black sign with a
    green arrow beside the traffic lights. In this case you must stop before you turn.
  • All passengers must wear seat belts. Children under the age of 12 and under 150 cm (5 feet) must use
    officially approved child car seats suited to their size and weight.
  • Mobile phones may only be used if they are hands free.
  • You are obliged to stop and help if you are the first person on the scene of an accident.
  • You must carry a red reflective triangle (Warndreieck) and reflective safety vests which must be used in the
    event of an accident or breakdown. You are also required to have a first aid kit in your car. The police may
    want to see these items when they stop you for a spot check.
  • Most city centers are low emission zones. To be allowed to enter these areas by car, you need to have a
    round green sticker which you can get at most garages if your car fulfils the requirements.
  • Don’t drink and drive. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 (Promillegrenze), but if you are involved in an accident
    or appear to be showing changes in behaviour you can also be fined if your blood alcohol level is 0.3.

ADAC, the German automobile club, offers an English PDF download on all road signs in Germany:
http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/ratgeber-verkehr/verkehrszeichen/default.aspx

Driving in Germany mostly like driving in most other (West) European countries, but you will find you need to
adjust if you are used to driving conditions in the US.

Some points to remember:

  • Always drive on the right-hand side of the road.
  • On the Autobahn, you must also keep on the right-hand lane, unless you are moving faster and overtaking. You may only overtake on the left. Always use your indicator when changing lane and watch out for fast traffic when you change to the left lane, as cars may be going as fast as 180 km/h or even 200 kmh.
  • You may “overtake” on the right if you are in a traffic jam and your lane starts moving even though the lane
    to your left remains stationary.
  • The speed limit in towns and other built-up areas is generally 50 km/h (31 mph), especially in residential
    areas, however, it will often be only 30 km/h (18 mph). Outside built-up areas (when you have passed the
    yellow sign with the place name), the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), unless otherwise indicated. On the Autobahn, there is no general speed limit, however, watch out for signs limiting the speed to e.g. 120 km/h (75 mph) or 100 km/h. This will often be the case around large cities or during the day when there is more traffic. Otherwise, the officially recommended speed on the Autobahn is 130 km/h (80 mph).
  • You must share the road on equal terms with bicycles, motorbikes, slow moving farm machinery, as well as trams, buses, and large trucks. Watch out for cyclists, especially when doing a right turn as they may come up on your right between you and the side of the road wanting to go straight on. You must yield to them.
  • At unmarked intersections, traffic coming from the right always has right of way.
  • There are no right turns on a red traffic light, except in rare cases when marked by a small black sign with a green arrow beside the traffic lights. In this case you must stop before you turn.
  • All passengers must wear seat belts. Children under the age of 12 and under 150 cm (5 feet) must use
    officially approved child car seats suited to their size and weight.
  • Mobile phones may only be used if they are hands free.
  • You are obliged to stop and help if you are the first person on the scene of an accident.
  • You must carry a red reflective triangle (Warndreieck) and reflective safety vests which must be used in the event of an accident or breakdown. You are also required to have a first aid kit in your car. The police may want to see these items when they stop you for a spot check.
  • Most city centers are low emission zones. To be allowed to enter these areas by car, you need to have a
    round green sticker which you can get at most garages if your car fulfils the requirements.
  • Don’t drink and drive. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 (Promillegrenze), but if you are involved in an accident or appear to be showing changes in behaviour you can also be fined if your blood alcohol level is 0.3.

ADAC, the German automobile club, offers an English PDF download on all road signs in Germany:
http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/ratgeber-verkehr/verkehrszeichen/default.aspx