How to Exchange CIS Driver’s Licenses for German Ones in Germany

If you moved to Germany with a driver’s license from a CIS country, it usually cannot simply be replaced with a German card without verification. For licenses from countries outside the EU and EEA, the Umschreibung procedure applies: an application at the Führerscheinstelle, a translation of the document, proof of vision and first aid, and in most cases theory and practical exams as well. The exact set of requirements depends on the country that issued the license, the category, and the rules of the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde.

When you need to start the exchange

Foreign licenses from countries outside the EU/EEA can be used in Germany only for a limited time after moving there permanently. Because of that, you should not wait until your actual right to drive expires: getting an appointment, checking the documents, and obtaining permission for the exams can take months.

It is important to distinguish between three situations:

• EU/EEA licenses are usually recognized under different rules and are not covered by this guide.
• Licenses from countries listed in Anlage 11 of the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung may be exchanged under a simplified procedure, sometimes without exams or with only part of the checks.
• Licenses from other Drittstaaten, which often includes CIS countries, usually require both a theory and a practical exam in Germany.

Check not only the country, but also the category. For passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses, the set of documents and medical confirmations differs.

What to prepare before visiting the Führerscheinstelle

First, find the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde or Führerscheinstelle for your place of registration. In large cities, there may be a separate appointment service for “Umschreibung einer ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis.”

You will usually need:

• a passport or Personalausweis;
• a residence permit if you are not an EU/EEA citizen;
• a current biometric photo;
• the original valid national driver’s license;
• a translation of the license into German if the document is not in German or English and the authority requires a translation;
• a Sehtest for categories A and B if it is required in your case;
• a certificate confirming completion of a first-aid course, especially when exchanging a license from a standard Drittstaat;
• the details of the driving school and exam center if exams are required;
• additional medical documents for categories C, D, and other professional categories.

An international driving permit cannot be exchanged on its own: it only accompanies the national license. For Umschreibung, you need the valid national document itself.

Step-by-step exchange process

1. Check the country that issued your license. Find out whether it belongs to Anlage 11 FeV and whether your category is exempt from theory or practice.
2. Book an appointment at the Führerscheinstelle. In some cities, you can start the application online, but in-person submission or identification may still be required.
3. Get a translation if needed. It is safest to use a sworn translator or an organization whose translation is accepted by the local authority.
4. Complete the Sehtest and Erste-Hilfe-Kurs. For a standard category B license, this is often part of the package when exchanging a license from a Drittstaat.
5. Choose a driving school. With Umschreibung, the number of mandatory driving hours is usually lower than when getting a license from scratch, but a driving school is still needed for admission and exam organization.
6. Submit the application for Umschreibung. After checking your documents, the authority will grant permission for the exams or tell you which additional documents you need to provide.
7. Prepare for the theory exam. In Germany, the theory exam can be taken not only in German; it is better to confirm available languages with TÜV, DEKRA, or the driving school.
8. Pass the practical exam. The practical exam takes place in real German traffic conditions, so even experienced drivers benefit from lessons with an instructor.
9. Receive your German driver’s license. After the procedure is successfully completed, the old license is usually confiscated or sent back to the issuing country according to the authority’s rules.

How much it costs

The final total depends on the city, the driving school, the number of practical lessons, and the number of attempts. Cost estimates from older articles from 2022 should no longer be used as a current benchmark.

In 2026, it is more reasonable to think about the costs in separate blocks:

Expense	What affects the price
Führerscheinstelle fee	city, exchange with or without exam
License translation	language, document length, authority requirements
Sehtest and first aid	course provider and booking format
Driving school registration	school pricing and service package
Study materials	app, study language, access period
TÜV/DEKRA exams	theory, practice, possible retakes
Practical lessons	number of lessons and price per lesson

If exams are required and you take several driving lessons, the budget often becomes significantly higher than a single administrative fee. The most expensive mistake is taking the practical exam without understanding German traffic expectations: every retake adds exam fees, driving school service fees, and new preparation hours.

What drivers from CIS countries should pay attention to

• Do not delay the exchange. Even if you are a confident driver, the bureaucratic part can take more time than preparation.
• Clarify the rules for your exact issuing country. The phrase “CIS license” is too broad: Germany looks at the specific state and category.
• Keep the original license. A copy or international permit does not replace the national document.
• Do not buy fake translations or certificates. The authority may request proof, and questionable documents will delay the process.
• Take lessons with an instructor before the practical exam. The exam checks not only whether you can control the car, but also whether you follow the German style of safe driving.
• Check automatic vs. manual transmission. If you take the exam in a car with an automatic gearbox, confirm in advance what that means for markings and restrictions on the license.

FAQ

Can you drive while the exchange is in progress?

That depends on your status, the date of your move, and the recognition period of your foreign Fahrerlaubnis. If the permitted period has already ended, the submitted application itself usually does not give you the right to keep driving.

Do you need to complete full driving school training again?

For Umschreibung from a Drittstaat, the full set of mandatory hours usually is not required as it is for a beginner. But a driving school is almost always needed to organize the exam, and practical lessons help you avoid failing it.

Is it mandatory to use ADAC?

Not always. ADAC can be useful for translation or classification, but the local Führerscheinstelle decides which translations and confirmations it accepts. In many cases, a translation by a sworn translator is enough.

Can you exchange an expired license?

Authorities usually require a valid foreign license at the time of application. If the document is expired or damaged, first clarify with the Führerscheinstelle which confirmations from the issuing country they will accept.