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Obtain A License Without Exams
Dec
Obtain A License Without Exams
Germany has some of the world’s best roads and road conditions, and having a valid driving license can make life easier, especially if you are going to be living, working, or spending a lot of time within Germany. However, if you’re coming from abroad, you may be wondering if you’ll have to retake all the driving tests in order to obtain a German license.
The good news: if you’re from certain countries, you can obtain a German driver’s license without sitting any exams or practical driving tests. This is known as “Umschreibung”, or license conversion.
A step-by-step guide on how to get your German driver’s license without exams, who’s eligible, what documents are required, and what the step-by-step process is.
What Is Umschreibung?
Umschreibung is the German procedure of exchanging a foreign driving license with a German driving license. This is allowable so that you may continue driving in Germany lawfully without reapplying from new.
If your home country has a bilateral agreement with Germany, then you may apply for direct conversion without tests.
✅ Who Can Get a German License Without Exams?
Germany has reciprocal arrangements with many countries and individual regions whereby they recognize each other’s driver training and test standards. If you are from one of those countries or regions, you may be able to convert without needing to take the theory or practical test.
Countries most likely to qualify for test-free conversion:
• USA (just certain states like Texas, Florida, Illinois, etc.)
• Canada (certain provinces like Ontario, British Columbia)
• Australia
• National Zealand
• South Korea
• Japan
• Israel
• Switzerland
• South Africa
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Namibia
• Andorra
Each country (or in the U.S. and Canada, each state or province) may have different conditions. Some may waive both theory and practical exams; others may waive only one.
It’s important to check your local driver’s license office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) to confirm what applies to you.
Documents Required for Conversion
To obtain a German license without exams, you’ll typically need the following documents:
• Original valid driver’s license from your home country
• Verified translation (if not English or German)
• Valid passport or ID card
• German residence registration (Anmeldung)
• Biometric passport photograph
• First aid course certificate (Erste Hilfe Kurs)
• Vision test certificate (Sehtest)
• Returned application form
Requirement: If your license is torn or expired, or you cannot date your license, you might not qualify for exam-free conversion.
Step-by-Step: How to Convert Your License Without Exams
- Check Your Eligibility
Visit your nearest Fahrerlaubnisbehörde or look at the Internet to find out if your home license can be exchanged without tests.
- Vision Test and First Aid Course
These are mandatory even when the tests are waived. Vision test is available at most optician stores and testing centers. The first aid course is one day long and is available in multiple languages.
- Translate Your License (if necessary)
If your license is not English or German, get it professionally translated. A court-certified translator or ADAC (Germany’s motor club) is a good option.
- Submit Your Application
Schedule an appointment with your local driver’s license office. Present your documents, fill in the application form, and pay the fee.
- Processing Time
It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks to process your application. Your foreign license may be kept by the office in certain cases.
- Acquire Your German Driver’s License
If approved, your new German Führerschein will be sent by mail. Your old license will in most cases be returned, marked “invalid in Germany.”
Fees Involved
You may reach out to us for more information regarding how the process is conducted
