Applying for a German driving license

All non-EU/EEA foreign driving permits are valid for six months after you have officially registered your residence within Germany. After the six month mark, you will need to take a German driving test. If your driving license was issued by a non-EU/EEA or non-exempt state, you are required to pass both a theory and a road test. Additionally, you are required to complete an eye exam and a first aid course prior to your driving test. After meeting all of these tests, you will be able to legally drive in Germany.

Upon completion of the required courses and exams, you will be able to apply for your driving license. The easiest way to do so is by booking an online appointment with State Office for Transport (Landesbetrieb Verkehr e.g. LBV). Choose the ‘Führerschein, Kontrollgeräte’ option and select ‘F09 ─ Umschreibung ausländischer Führerschein.’ You can then pick a time and location for your appointment.

If you need to report your driving licence lost or stolen, you should contact your nearest police station.

Your license will take roughly three to six weeks to arrive.

If you don’t want to drive around Hamburg, there are numerous other transport options to choose from. Find out the alternate ways to travel around Hamburg.

If you are from an exempt state, you must bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • passport
  • registration confirmation
  • valid driving permit from your previous country of residence
  • passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm)
  • a translation of driving licence if required
  • €40 euros in cash to cover the fee

If you are from a state that is not exempt, you must bring:

  • passport
  • registration confirmation
  • a translation of driving licence if required
  • passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm)
  • eyesight test results
  • first aid training certificate
  • medical report (class C/D)
  • €40 euros in cash to cover the fee

You may find additional information on the State Office for Transport (Landesbetrieb Verkehr – LBV) website (German only) or the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Development website.

Contact

LBV Hamburg-Mitte, Ausschläger Weg 100, 20537 Hamburg
LBV Hamburg-Nord, Langenhorner Chaussee 491, 22419 Hamburg
Phone: 040 42858-0
Email: fuehrerschein@lbv.hamburg.de
Website: www.hamburg.de/lbv/