Get your driver's license translated

FAQ: Do you have questions on the topic “driving licences and their translation”? You can find the most important answers here:

FAQ about the driving licence translation in Germany.

• + Is the driving licence translation obligatory?

  If you come from an EU country or a country from the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, you do not need to have your driving licence translated in order to be allowed to drive in Germany. However, different rules apply to drivers from other countries outside the EU. If persons are only staying temporarily in Germany, they may drive motor vehicles of the class for which the driving licence is issued if one of the following two requirements is met:
  
  

  ➤ The person holds a valid national driving licence.

  ➤ It possesses an international driving licence in accordance with the International Convention on Motor Traffic of 24 April 1926, the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968 or the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic.
  
  

  If the national driving licence is not in German or does not comply with Annex 6 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968, the person concerned must have the licence translated. (Source)
  
  

  Other regulations come into force if you establish a normal place of residence in Germany — i.e. you live there for at least 185 days a year. In this case, it is necessary for you to have your foreign driving licence converted.

• + How does the conversion of the driving licence work?

  In order to obtain a German driving licence, you must submit a formal application for conversion to the Führerscheinstelle (driving licence office). You may then have to take a theoretical and/or practical driving test at a driving school. The conversion of your national driving licence including examinations takes a total of approx. 2 months.
  
  

  The following are required for the application:
  ➤ Valid national driving licence with date of issue
  ➤ Certified translation of your driving licence, if necessary with classification (more information in the section "Driving licence translation — it's that easy".)
  ➤ Identity card or passport
  ➤ Biometric passport photo
  ➤ Confirmation of first registration in Germany from the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office)
  ➤ First aid course
  ➤ Eye test from optician (not older than 2 years)
  ➤Chosen driving school
  
  

  Getting a German driver's licence involves battling with German official bodies and sometimes theoretical or practical exams depending on where you come from. In order to convert your licence for a German driver's licence you have to allow at least two months for the whole process, provided you have to take the tests. First call the office that will issue your licence (Führerscheinstelle) to find out which documents are required in order to avoid difficulties. Authorities in Germany often have a different set of requirements depending on their location.
  
  

  Documents required:
  
  ➤ Official identification document such as a passport
  ➤ Original national licence together with a German translation and classification (more information below)
  ➤ A residence confirmation from the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office)
  ➤ A recent biometric photo
  ➤ Documentation of a recent eye test (not older than two years)
  ➤ Documentation of a recent first aid course
  

• + Is my foreign driving licence also valid in Germany?

  As the holder of a valid foreign driving licence, you can drive motor vehicles in Germany in accordance with your acquired driving licence. This regulation applies for a stay of up to 6 months. After these 6 months, a transfer of your driving licence is necessary. If you have an international driving licence, you do not have to carry a translation in Germany. Translations of official documents must be done by a translator sworn in Germany.

• + What is meant by classification?

  Classification has the task of defining equivalences between two differently named driving licence classes. More precisely, this means: There have been uniform classes in the EU since 2013. For example, if you have a car driving licence, your driving licence will state driving licence class B. This entitles you to drive a vehicle with a total weight of 3.5 tonnes.

• + Do I need a certified translation incl. classification?

  Driving licence translations required for a German authority are always offered at lingoking including certification and classification. Translations for foreign countries, on the other hand, only with certification.

Do you have questions about the driving licence translation for abroad?

• + In which countries is my driving licence valid?

  The driving licence is now valid almost everywhere within Europe. This is not limited to the EU states, but also includes Norway and Switzerland, for example. In some European countries, an international driving licence is nevertheless recommended. Outside Europe, you must always have an international driving licence or a certified English translation.

• + Where can I get an international driving licence?

  If you want to be mobile on the roads outside the EU and rent or drive your own car, you need an international driving licence, which you can apply for at the citizens' offices — at your city administration or the regional administration office of your place of residence. An international driving licence is valid for 3 years and is only valid for driving abroad.

• + What is a certified English translation?

  A practical alternative to the officially issued international driving licence is a certified English translation of your European driving licence. A certified driving licence translation is accepted outside the European Union in almost all countries where English is the official language. These include the USA, Canada, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia. The driving licence translated into English and certified is valid for just as long as your driving licence!
  
  

  A valid driving licence must be available for the certified translation — either the card driving licence, the grey or pink driving licence or also a GDR driving licence. However, a scan or photo is sufficient to have the driving licence translated.

Do you have questions about the ordering/translation process of driving licences?

• + What do you have to pay attention to in a driving licence translation?

  Driving licence translations required for a German authority are always offered at lingoking including certification and classification. Translations for foreign countries, on the other hand, only with certification. In both cases, the translation is done by a sworn translator in Germany.
  
  

  By the way: A scan or photo of your driving licence is sufficient for the translation, we do not need the original. Please note, however, that the Führerscheinstelle (driving licence office) in Düsseldorf only accepts translations of originals. In this case, contact a local service provider or contact us, we will be happy to help you with your search.

• + I need a translation for Düsseldorf, what are the requirements in this case?

  Please note that the driving license office in Düsseldorf has special requirements. In this case, please contact our partner, ADAC, directly.

• + What does the translation of a driving licence cost?

  The price for the translation depends on the language combination. More exotic languages are slightly more expensive than widely spoken ones. Also, the price depends on whether a classification is necessary.
  
  

  Depending on the source language, you can get a translation of a driving licence into German for as little as 50.50 euros (incl. certification, classification & shipping). Certified driving licence translations without classification from German into a foreign language are available for as little as 46.90 euros.
  
  

  For a small surcharge, you can also order additional certified copies and an additional digital version. You will receive your certified translation not only by post, but also digitally as a scan. In addition, if you need the translation quickly, our express translation service with express shipping is also available. Brilliant!
  
  

  Let the lingoking price calculator show you the exact costs for the translation of your driving licence now. The best thing is: Wit us you can also order the translation right away. At lingoking, we guarantee the highest quality, fast implementation, and your complete satisfaction — all at an unbeatable price.

• + What advantages does the lingoking translation service offer?

  lingoking will be happy to provide you with a certified translation and classification of your driving licence — no matter whether you live in Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, or Flensburg! Our court sworn translators translate, certify, and classify quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Do you need your Arabic, English or Russian driving licence translated? Our network of over 5,000 professional translators and interpreters covers almost every language combination.
  
  

  All you need for the translation at lingoking is a copy of your driving licence, e.g. a scan. Of course, you keep the original of your driving licence and remain mobile on the roads while we take care of your translation.
  
  

  Is the translation of your driving licence urgent? If you wish, you can also book the lingoking express service for an additional charge and receive your translation within a few working days.