The process for issuing or converting a driving license has different processes depending on where you live in Germany. However, expats moved to Germany can still use their existing driving license for a limited period of time, depending on where it was issued. If you are planning to move to Germany for a longer period, you can use the driving license issued in your country for the first 6 months provided you have an IDP (International Driving Permit). During this period, you may consider converting your driving license for a German driving license (Führerschein) if you'd like to keep driving after 6 months. Can you use a foreign issued driving license in Germany The validity of your foreign issued driving license in Germany depends on the country it was issued; whether it is an EU / EEA member state or a third country. Validity of driving license issued by an EU / EEA member country The driving license issued by an EU/EEA country is generally valid in Germany until it expires. This means that drivers who hold a valid driving license issued by a country within the European Union or European Economic Area can drive in Germany without any additional requirements. However, there are some exceptions to this rule that apply to certain categories of driving licenses. The Federal Ministry of Transport in Germany has published an article that provides detailed information on the exempted categories. These include driving licenses issued for categories C1E, CE, D1E, and DE, which are used for driving commercial vehicles and buses. Drivers who hold driving licenses for these categories must meet additional requirements in order to drive in Germany. For example, drivers with a category C1E license must have a valid medical certificate, while those with a category CE license must also complete a practical driving test in Germany. Similarly, drivers with a category D1E or DE license must have a valid medical certificate and complete a practical driving test in Germany in order to drive in the country. It is important for drivers to be aware of these exemptions and requirements in order to ensure that they are legally allowed to drive in Germany. The article published by the Federal Ministry of Transport provides valuable information for drivers who hold driving licenses from EU/EEA countries and are planning to drive in Germany. Driving license issued by non-EU / EEA country If you have a driving license that was issued by a non-EU/EEA country, you can still use it in Germany for a period of up to six months from the date of your registration in the country. This means that you can legally drive in Germany using your foreign driving license during this initial six-month period without the need for any additional permits or requirements. However, if your stay in Germany is expected to last between six months and one year, you may be eligible for special consideration that will allow you to continue using your foreign driving license for a period of up to 12 months. To be eligible for this special consideration, you must be able to provide proof that your stay in Germany will be longer than six months but less than 12 months. If you are eligible for this special consideration, it is important to note that you will still need to meet the other requirements for driving in Germany, such as having a valid insurance policy and registering your vehicle with the appropriate authorities. If you have questions or need more information about driving in Germany with a non-EU/EEA driving license, you can contact the local driving licensing authority for guidance. They can provide you with more detailed information about the specific requirements and restrictions that apply to your situation, as well as help you understand the steps you need to take to ensure that you can legally drive in Germany during your stay. You may still have to carry a translation of your driving license even if it is in English. ADAC, Europe’s largest driving club can help you with the translation process. Converting a driving license in Germany There are certain conditions you must meet in order to be eligible to convert a foerign issued driving license. Few common ones are : You must hold a valid residence permit. Your current driving license must be issued by an EU / EEA country, or a country with an agreement with Germany on driving license conversion (Andorra, Australia, Canada, Croatia, French Polynesia, Israel, Japan, Namibia, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Switzerland, Japan, Monaco, U.S.A.). Your driver's license is valid at the time of application. You were not a resident of Germany (defined as spending 185 out of 365 days in Germany) at the time you obtained the license. The US driving license requirements could vary depending on the state. You might have to take a test depending on the state the driving license is issued. Read more If your country is not listed above, you will have to take either a theoretical exam or a practical exam or both to get a German license. Check this list of countries and requirements listed by muenchen.de to see if you need to take the theory or a practical exam. To convert your foreign driving license to a German driving license, you need to reach out to the local driving licensing authority. Since the offices are quite busy and not easy to walk in, get an appointment either online or by calling them and check the exact requirements for converting. The driving institute near your area could also help you with this on a small fee. Documents required for converting a driving license in Germany Passport or Aufenthaltstitel Biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months) Your original foreign driving license (The license must be valid at the time of applying) Driving license translation (if required) Proof of completion of a first aid training course (optional) Eye test certificate (optional) Fitness certificate (applicable to category C / D) In general, you cannot hold two driving licenses issued by different member states in the EU / EEA. Therefore, you might have to surrender your existing foriegin driving license when you get the German one. Important in formation on driving in Germany If you drive or ride a motor vehicle in Germany with a foreign driving license that is not recognized or no longer valid, it will be considered as driving without a license. This could result in penalties or legal consequences, depending on the severity of the offense. It is important to ensure that your foreign driving license is valid and recognized in Germany before driving in the country to avoid any potential issues or penalties. In conclusion, obtaining a driving license in Germany requires patience, effort, and a significant amount of financial investment. It is important to carefully research the requirements and regulations, enroll in a reputable driving school, and dedicate time and practice to ensure success in passing the theory and practical exams. While the process may seem daunting, having a valid driver's license opens up a world of freedom and mobility in Germany and beyond. It is important to always prioritize safety and follow traffic rules and regulations while driving. Some FAQ about driving license exam in Germany

Applying for a German residence permit may not come easy for many people. The procedure includes several steps from filling up the application form to getting health insurance and opening a bank account. It is a series of documentation. Regardless of your job, qualification, or nationality (except for citizens of EU countries, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), the process to apply for a German residence permit is the same. This means that if you are a citizen of a non-EU country and wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. This includes those who wish to study, work, or join a family member in Germany. German work permit vs residence permit The federal government has easen the process of obtaining a residence permit by the end of 2011. Now you don't need to apply to different authorities for the permission to live and work. A single permit now covers both. However, obtaining a residence permit does not allow you the right to be involved in economic activities. The type of residence permit you have determines whether or not you are entitled to work. If you are not sure whether you can work in Germany with the permit you have, the documents you receive with your residence permit will explicitly state whether you are allowed to work. Steps to follow Register at Bürgerbüro / the citizens’ office An Anmeldebescheinigung / registration certificate is one of the documents you need to have before you can apply for a residence permit. This can easily be obtained from your local citizens’ office / Bürgerbüro. Health insurance You must also prove that you are covered by health insurance from Germany. Insurance policies from a foreign countries are generally not accepted. Open a German bank account To prove your financial status, you need a German bank account. This is mostly required if you are applying for a family reunion visa. It is the best option to show your financial stability. Open a German bank account and transfer your money from your current bank account to the new German bank account. You can use your bank statements as a supporting document to prove your financial stability. Supporting documents There are multiple documents required to support your German residence permit application. Your local foreigners’ office should be able to guide you through all documents you need to submit along with the application. Generally the supporting documents include: Completed application form Valid passport One biometric photo (not older than 6 months) Certificate of registration Proof of health insurance Proof of secure livelihood Purpose of living in Germany. Employment contract Proof of pension plan The list of supporting documents depends on the type of residence permit you are applying for. Once the application and the supporting documents are ready, you may get an appointment at your local foreigner’s office / Ausländerbehörde and bring along the documents. Cost of applying for a German residence permit The cost of a German residence permit application is usually between 50 and 110 euros. It varies on the location and the complexity of your case. The exact charges may be obtained from your local foreigner’s offices website. The fees may not be refunded in case your application is rejected. Additionally, please note that not all foreigners offices accept credit cards. German Residence permit application processing time Once the forms are submitted and the fees have been paid, the next step is for the foreigners’ office to evaluate your application. Depending on the type of the residence permit, they may contact the Federal Employment Agency for additional information. The process usually takes two weeks to a month. However, it can take even longer depending on the pending cases and vacation periods. You will get a certificate from the local foreigners office to cover you during this period. What if my German residence permit application is rejected? If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter detailing the reasons for the rejection. Mostly the reason for a rejection is failing to provide relevant supporting documents or incorrectly field applications. The letter will also explain the next steps, including how to file a counter. How can I collect my residence permit If your application is approved, your residence permit will be issued and you will get notified to come to the local foreigners’ office to collect it. You must pick it up in person or you can have someone else authorised by you to collect it for you. How to renew a German residence permit? It is advised to start the procedures to renew your residence permit as early as possible to avoid an illegal stay which may land you in a position that you are banned from entering Germany in the future. The cost of renewing a residence permit is generally 50-80 euros. However, depending on location and the complexity of your case, it may vary. If you have a temporary residence permit, it will be valid for one year. Generally, the foreigners’ office does not notify you if your residence permit is due to expire. Therefore it is wise to remember the expiry date of your residence permit and take the steps to renew in advance. Renewal of a temporary residence permit in Germany is a complex procedure as long as your personal circumstances are the same as when you initially applied. If your employment, financial or marital statuses changed significantly, you may contact your local foreigners’ office to check the ways to renew it.

Relocating to any country requires plenty of planning and scheduling. When moving to Germany; one of the countries where people are known for punctuality, it's better to get used to this as early as possible We tried here to build a checklist to help your relocation to Germany. We also managed to put some timeline to it. Therefore, you are always on time. 1. Budgeting As you probably know already, Germany is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Therefore, it's better to calculate how much you can afford for your relocation. The budgeting should include your first 3 months expenses including your basic expenses such as rent / hostel fee to toothpaste, college expenses, etc. 2. Keep track of the deadlines Keep your calendar updated for any deadlines you have to meet; such as your appointment at the consulate for your visa or sending your bachelor's certificate to your university. 3. Get a visa You probably aren't gonna need a visa if you are moving from the EU. However, the citizens of other countries like the USA or India are not as lucky as europeans! It's better to research the visa regulations and requirements early enough. One related key element is the validity of your supporting documents. Eg. your passport or the expiry of your German language certification. Make sure you renew the important documents early enough so that you don't have to reappear for a visa interview. 4. Registration process As soon as you arrive, you should consider booking an appointment to register in the residence registration office. In Munich, you have to register in the Bürgerbüro within one week of arrival (find the registration form here). Other cities have their own processes and timelines. 5. Health insurance, enrolment at university Insurance is one of the unavoidable things in Germany. Students need proof of health insurance or an exemption notice before you can enroll at the university. Proof of health insurance must be provided if a residence permit is to be granted/renewed for the purpose of academic study. If an exemption has been granted [by the university], you can then take an insurance policy with a private health insurer. If you are moving in to start a new job, your employer must arrange health insurance for you from the first day of your start. Insurance companies offer several products; health insurance, house insurance, car insurance, personal accident insurance, gadgets insurance and the list is going to be really long! Before falling for one, ask yourself if you need one. When you decide, compare the offers from different providers and choose the one best for your requirements and fits in your pocket. Make use of websites like check24.de to ease your comparison. Additionally, you can also check out our article Insurance in Germany to read in detail. 6. Bank account You are normally going to need a current account; to transfer the rent or pay your bills, etc.) If you are a student, you also require a savings account during your period of study in Germany. Your residence permit will only be issued if you provide proof that you hold a savings account with a balance of a certain amount. The Foreigners Office can generally demand a blocking notice to limit the monthly amount that can be withdrawn from our account. PS: Credit cards are not widely accepted in Germany. Therefore, make sure you can use the credit card if you plan to use one. Checkout our article opening a new bank account in Germany to read in detail. 7. Find an accommodation Perhaps, one of the first items in your checklist! In general, it's not so easy to find an accommodation that suits your wishes and budget in Germany. Therefore, you need to start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. One of the major problems we noticed is scammers! They’d ask you to send some money to a Paypal account or to a bank account as a deposit to visit the apartment. Don't fall for that and in general, no maklers (real estate agent) or landlords ask you for such deposits. Some useful tips Start checking the accommodation as soon as you can. Start searching at least 3 - 4 months before. Once you find an accommodation that suits your budget and purpose, book it immediately. Check the prices of the flight if you need one early enough and book in advance therefore, you can have a slightly lesser price and will be able to block your favourite seat. Most students in Germany are eligible for the international student ID. Check if you can apply for one. It's a good idea to keep a copy of all your documents in an online share drive. Therefore, it will be accessible on all your gadget platforms. Check if you can apply for any scholarships and mark the due dates on your calendar Check for any additional regulations in the university such as applying for the leave absence, etc. If you are from a non euro zone, it's better to withdraw some money and keep it with you before you travel. Not all shops in Germany are digital yet! Even if you think you got all the documentation ready, it's better to double or even triple check to make sure that everything is in place! Well, these are only some general points and there are a lot to consider in the real life. However, with a little organisation and planning, you can make the move even easier. Good luck!