GERMAN DRIVER’S LICENSE​

To legally drive a car in Germany, you’ll need a German driver’s license issued by the government of your province or territory. You must have it with you whenever you’re driving. With it, you can drive anywhere in Germany.

If you have a valid license from your home country, you’ll probably be able to use this to drive in Germany for a short time after you arrive. Check with the government of your province or territory for details.

If you plan to use a foreign driver’s license in Germany, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your license into German and English.

The process to get a German driver’s license depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background. It may include:

a written exam on the rules of the road (you can get a study guide to help with this)
one or two driving tests
You may choose to pay for driving lessons to get ready for the driving tests. Search online for lessons.

Once you have a license, you will have to renew it every so often. The expiry date will be printed on your license.