Upgrade Your License

Upgrade Your License

Upgrading your driver’s license in Germany can sound like a complicated task, especially if you’re concerned about having to retake exams. But depending on your current license, your country of origin, and the class of license you’re applying for, it is possible to upgrade your license in Germany without taking theory or practical tests.

This post leads you through how to upgrade your driver’s license (Führerschein) without exams, who qualifies, and what to take with you.

What is “Upgrading” a License?

To “upgrade” your driver’s license is to change your existing license to a higher class. For example:
• From Class B (car) to Class BE (car + trailer)
• From a foreign to a German license
• From a limited class to a full class license
• From automatic-only to manual (although this typically requires a test)

In some cases, particularly when converting from a foreign license, your upgraded license can include higher categories or additional entitlements based on existing driving experience—without retaking exams.

Who Can Upgrade Without Exams?

You may be eligible to upgrade your license without exams if:
1. You’re from a country with a license agreement with Germany

• Germany has equivalence arrangements with the majority of nations where driving standards are considered equivalent.
• This allows direct conversion or upgrading without having to take an exam.

1. You now hold a higher category license overseas

• For example, if you hold a motorcycle (Class A) or heavy vehicle license in your home country, you may be eligible to upgrade your German license correspondingly.

1. You’ve previously held a German license

• You may be able to restore or upgrade a previous German license if you once had one and returned after a stint abroad.
• 4.
• Your previous license is still in force
• • Old licenses complicate things. Valid documents are the best.

Required Documents for Upgrade Without Exams

You’ll typically need the following documents to make an upgrade without exams:

• • Original foreign or German driving license
• • Official translation (if it’s not English or German)
• Valid residence permit or passport
• Proof of residence in Germany (Anmeldung)
• Biometric passport photo
• Vision test certificate
• Certificate of first aid course (Erste Hilfe Kurs)
• Completed application form (Fahrerlaubnis-Antrag)

Some categories, such as commercial driving permits, may require additional medical or psychological tests depending on age and health.

Step-by-Step How the Upgrade Process Works

1. Check Eligibility

Before submitting an application, call your Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driver’s license office) to determine whether your license can be swapped without a test. They’ll consider your license category, country of origin, and documentation.

2. Meet the Required Courses

While tests are unnecessary, Germany also requires you to complete:
• A vision exam (taken at opticians or testing centers)
• A first aid course (usually a day, available in English in all but a few cities)

3. Translate Your License (If Necessary)

If your license is not in English or German, get your license translated professionally through:
t• ADAC (German automobile club)
t• Court-certified translators

4. Submit Your Application

Make an appointment with your local driver’s license office. Submit your application, together with all supporting documents, and pay the processing fee (usually €35–€50).

5. Wait for Approval

Processing can take between 4 to 6 weeks but might vary by region. Meanwhile, the authorities will verify your foreign license’s validity and assess whether you can upgrade without the need for additional tests, while you wait.

6. Receive Your New License

In case of an approved application, you will receive your upgraded German license, and, in some instances, your previous license will be returned to you with a stamp made invalid in Germany.

Upgrading a License Without Exams