Buy a Driving License Legally in Germany
If you hold a driver's license from Australia, Canada, USA or New Zealand, you can drive in Germany without having to pass any tests.
The procedure for exchanging a license is similar in all federal states (Lander). You will need a letter explaining why you are exchanging your license and passport photos. German is also highly recommended.
What is a Fuhrerschein?
A Fuhrerschein gives the right to drive in Germany. It is a highly regarded document that embodies not just the ability to drive, but also the freedom, independence, and responsibility that comes with it. It can be a difficult process to get a Fuhrerschein but it is essential for anyone who wishes to work and live in Germany.
The rules and requirements of the Fuhrerschein vary based on the type and individual. In general applicants must be over the age of 18 and possess a valid driver's license from their home country or a different nation that has reciprocity with Germany. If you are exchanging your driving license, you don't need to pass a written test or a practical test.
A Fuhrerschein is not valid for individuals who have committed serious traffic or criminal violations. In these instances, your driving license will be taken away and you will not be able to obtain it back until a particular period of time has elapsed (called the Sperrfrist).
Fuhrerschein holders are also subject to a range of conditions that guarantee their safety and that of other road users. These include a mandatory minimum insurance coverage, the requirement to wear the seat belt at all times, and the prohibition of using electronic devices while driving. It is also crucial for Fuhrerschein holders, to maintain a good standard of driving, and to never drink and drive.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country and are moving to Germany It is crucial to know that your driving permit from your home country will be valid in Germany for up to 6 months. After six months, however, you will need to obtain a German driving license to continue driving. Otherwise, you will be penalized with penalties and fines.
To avoid these problems, it's best to apply for a Fuhrerschein application as soon as you can. You can apply for a Fuhrerschein visiting the Strassenverkehrsamt in the city you reside in. You will need to provide proof of your identity, a photocopy of your current license, and other documentation to complete the procedure.
How do I apply for a Fuhrerschein?
The process of getting a Fuhrerschein is different in each state. While laws are made at a national level, individual states interpret them in a different way. To learn more about the procedure, you should always contact the local authority for driving licenses (Fuhrerscheinstelle) which is usually within your local citizens office.
Before you apply, you will have to confirm that your original licence is valid and it was issued by a nation that is a member of the EU / EEA or a country with an exclusive reciprocal agreement with Germany. You should also have lived in the same country that issued your licence for at least 185 consecutive days.
When you visit your Fuhrerscheinstelle, they will determine if you're eligible for the program by scrutinizing your documents. Then, you'll be asked to take an Sehtest which is a straightforward test of vision that confirms that your eyesight is in line with the minimum requirements for safe driving. You can use corrective glasses to pass the test, if required.
If you pass the Sehtest, you will receive a Bescheinigung from the Fuhrerscheinstelle that your application has been approved. This document is vital, as you'll need it to pick up your new German license. You will receive your Abgabensbescheid within 2-3 weeks. This document contains an acknowledgement of your license fees that is around EUR35. Once you have paid your fee, you will be able to pick up your new German license.
Obtaining a Fuhrerschein is not a simple process, and it will most likely take you some time to complete. But, we can to make it as easy as possible by giving you a the steps-by-step instructions and assisting you in obtaining the necessary documents. We can also help with the German driving test if needed. Contact us for more details on our services. We would love to hear from you!
How do I upgrade my Fuhrerschein?
If you're planning to move to Germany and plan to drive here in the future, you'll need to exchange your license in exchange for a Fuhrerschein. It's a bit more complicated than changing your international license to the German driver's license, because you'll need to take both the theory and driving tests here (or at the very least attempt). But it is still feasible.
Enrolling at a driving school or "Fahrschule" is the first step to upgrading your Fuhrerschein into a full driving licence. They will assist you with your paperwork and guide you through the theoretical and practical driving lessons. It is also necessary to get your vehicle insured and it's a good idea to take some extra driving lessons for practice.
When you have finished all of these steps you'll receive a letter confirming that your application was successful. This document is known as Bescheinigung and you'll need to keep it until your new license arrives in the mail.
Once you have your Bescheinigung, you will need to visit your local driving licensing office to finish the final stage of the process. You'll also need to provide your Fuhrerschein and any other documents that are required.
You will receive your new driving permit in the mail around four weeks after having applied. Once it's in your mailbox, you can begin to legally drive in Germany!
You can pay a fee to get your licence printed at the Burgeramt if you don't wish to wait. führerschein kaufen ohne vorkasse will save you some time, but it's not cheap and the quality of the license will be different.
You can drive in Germany with an international license until January 2022. However, you'll be in trouble if pulled over by the police. Additionally, you'll have to pay more for car insurance. So if you're planning on staying in Germany for longer than 6 months, you should obtain your German driving licence as soon as you can. This thorough guide will help you understand how to obtain your German driving licence.
How do I change my driving license from the EU/EEA to an German Fuhrerschein?
If you hold a driver's licence from a country that is part of the EU or EEA (which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) You can continue to use it up to six months following your move to Germany. If you intend to stay longer than that or the license has expired, however, you will need to exchange it for one that is a German licence. This is an obligation of law and the only way you can renew your licence beyond the expiry date of your original license. If you have documents attesting your eyesight or health the possibility of an exception could be granted. Contact your local driving licence office (Fuhrerscheinstelle) to find out more.
Driving licenses issued by countries that have reciprocal agreements, for example, Australia and Canada or the USA, may be transferred to Germany without having to pass a theory or practical test. It is more difficult for drivers who don't have a reciprocal agreement with Germany. However in this situation, it is possible to pass all the necessary steps without having to undergo an entire testing and training procedure.
To convert your driving licence from another country to Fuhrerschein, you must first apply for a Fuhrerschein one, you must submit an application and all the required documents to the local driving licensing office (also known as Fuhrerscheinstelle). The exact procedure to exchange your license can differ based on the federal state (Land). It is therefore advised to contact or visit the website of your local Fuhrerscheinstelle to find out more about the requirements specific to in your region.
You must provide proof of identity along with a photograph and a valid driving licence as well as a completed certificate attesting to your good health and vision. You will also need to pay the applicable fees. It is best to apply as soon as possible and at a minimum before your foreign driving licence expires, to ensure that you get your Fuhrerschein on time. It is also recommended to keep your old license until you receive your new licence because it could be useful to prove your identity.