FAQ: Do you have questions about paper driving licenses and their translation? You can find the most important answers here:

Do you have questions about paper driving license translation for Germany?

• + Is the driver's license translation compulsory?

  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 driver's license translated in order 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 driver's license is issued in each case 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 driver's license is not in German or does not comply with Appendix 6 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968, those concerned must have the licence translated in order to avoid fines. (Mehr erfahren.
  
  

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

• + How does the driver's license conversion work?

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

  The following are required for the application:
  
  ➤ Valid national driver's license with date of issue
  ➤ Certified translation of your driver's license with classification if applicable
  ➤ Identity card or passport
  ➤ Biometric passport photo
  ➤ Confirmation of first registration in Germany (from the Residents' Registration Office)
  ➤ First aid course
  ➤ Eye test from optician (not older than 2 years)
  ➤ Selected driving school
  

• + Is my foreign driver's license also valid in Germany?

  As the holder of a valid foreign driver's license, you can drive motor vehicles in Germany in accordance with your acquired driver's license. This regulation applies for a stay of up to 6 months. After these 6 months, a transfer of your driver's license is necessary. If you have an international driver's license, 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 classification?

  The classification has the task of defining equivalences (equivalences) between two differently named driver's license classes. More precisely, this means: There have been uniform classes in the EU since 2013. For example, if you have a car driver's license, your driver's license will state driver's license 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?

  Driver's license 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 paper driving license translation for abroad?

• + In which countries is my German paper driver's license valid?

  Unfortunately, different regulations apply to the old paper driver's license depending on the country. It is best to check in advance with the foreign authority whether your paper driver's license is recognised in the respective country or whether you need a certified translation. By the way, our translations are carried out by translators who are sworn in Germany.

• + Where can I get an international driver's license?

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

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

• + When will I receive my translation?

  lingoking offers you various options: "Standard shipping" takes 3 to 5 business days. With "express delivery", the translator will complete the translation within 2 to 3 working days. Certified translations are then handed over to Deutsche Post and it takes approximately 2 more business days until you receive your translation. You will receive the tracking number via your personal login area. Please note that we have no influence on the delivery time from the time of handover to Deutsche Post.

• + What do you have to pay attention to when having a driver's license translated?

  Driver's license 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.
  
  Also: A scan or photo of your driver's license is sufficient for the translation, we do not need the original. Please note, however, that the Führerscheinstelle 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.
  
  

• + What does the translation of my paper driver's license 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 classification is necessary.
  
  

  Depending on the source language, you can have a driver's license translated into German for as little as € 106.90 (including certification, classification and shipping). You can get certified driver's license translations without classification from German into a foreign language for as little as 92.50 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, our express translation service is also available to you if you need it very fast.
  
  

  Get the exact cost for the translation of your driver's license in the lingoking price calculator now. The best thing is: With us, you can also order the translation straight away. At lingoking, we guarantee the highest quality, fast implementation and your complete satisfaction — all at an unbeatable price.

• + What are the advantages of the lingoking translation service?

  lingoking will be happy to provide you with a certified translation and classification of your paper driver's license — no matter whether you live in Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt or Flensburg! Our sworn translators translate, certify and classify quickly, efficiently and affordable. Our network of over 5,000 professional translators and interpreters covers almost every language combination.
  
  For the translation at lingoking, you only need a copy of your paper driver's license, e.g. a scan. Of course, you keep the original of your driver's license and remain mobile on the roads while we take care of your translation. Is the translation of your paper driver's license urgent? If you wish, you can also order the lingoking express service for an additional charge and receive your translation within a few working days.

• + Who will translate my paper driver's license? Who has access to the documents?

  Your translation will only be carried out by trained and sworn translators. This ensures that your translation is recognized by all government offices and authorities. Only our translators will have access to your personal documents. Discretion and security are very important to us, which is why the encryption and upload in the digital order process also follow the highest security levels.

• + What is a certified translation?

  A certified translation is the translation of an official document, provided with the translator's certification mark. Such a translation can only be carried out by court sworn translators. The translator confirms the accuracy of the translation with his/her signature, stamp and attestation clause. The authenticity of the translation is thus guaranteed in a legally binding manner. When you order your translation from lingoking, we guarantee that the translation will be done by a court sworn translator.
  
  Additional quality assurance is provided by the 4-eyes principle — as well as our certification according to the European quality standard DIN EN ISO 17100 for translation services. If you need to get it done quickly, we also offer an express service that allows you to meet even the tightest deadlines. Of course, we will treat your documents confidentially!