Landungsbrücken

Driving license, rewrite foreign driving license (EU / EEA)

Citizens of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA, including Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) do not necessarily have to have their driving license converted into a German driving license, because their driving license is generally valid in Germany...

Citizens of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA, including Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) do not necessarily have to have their driving license converted into a German driving license, because their driving license is generally valid in Germany.
The meaning of the EU driving license classes in the individual member countries can be found under the link "Decision of the EU Commission on equivalences between driving license classes" (see below)

However, it may be necessary to convert classes C and D driving licenses, as these are only valid for a limited period in Germany. Therefore, please inquire in good time after your entry into the Federal Republic of Germany whether and when you need to have your driving license rewritten.

Important notes

Prerequisites

In order to have the driver's license rewritten, the main residence of the applicant must be in Hamburg. In addition, the transfer is only possible if the foreign driver's license was acquired at a time when the applicant had normal residence for at least 185 days (six months) in the country of issue. This means that you must have been registered abroad for at least six months in order to be able to convert the driving license you acquired there into a German one at the LBV. This has to be proven.

Information is also available in other languages on the BMVI website (see link below).

Documents required

Please bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

  • a valid identity card or passport with a current confirmation of registration
  • the valid foreign driving license in the original
  • a biometric passport photo 35 x 45 millimeters
  • the appointment confirmation

For category C and D driving licenses you also need:

  • an ophthalmological report is not older than two years
  • a medical report is not older than one year
  • a medical report is not older than one year (class D only)
  • a certificate of good conduct (class D only), which must be applied for at the responsible residents' registration office and is not older than three months
  • if applicable, in the case of commercial goods and/or passenger transport, proof of professional driver qualification

Attention: You only need the medical reports if the driver's license is to be extended at the same time as the transfer.

Appropriate documents (employer certificates or other evidence) must be submitted as proof of the 185 days abroad.

If the foreign driving license has expired before entry, a clearance certificate from the issuing authority or the central register on site is required.

Please note

Attention: This service is only available in the Hamburg-Mitte and Hamburg-Nord locations!
Applications with power of attorney are not possible.


Appointment booking
Appointments are booked via the LBV. Here, do the following:
1. Visit the website for booking an appointment (see link below) and select the foreign driving license conversion service under the driving license service group.
2. Use the location selector to view appointments at a specific location.
3. After choosing the location, use the calendar displayed to choose a free appointment (date and time).
4. Now enter your name and email address to book.
5. You will receive an email. Please confirm the appointment.

Please be sure to bring the appointment confirmation that you will receive with you to the appointment.

Note for EU driving license holders who originally had a driving license from a third country:
If you have exchanged your driving license from a so-called third country in an EU country without taking a test, please contact the LBV immediately. To do this, book an appointment to convert a foreign driving license at the LBV.
In this case, in the EU or EEA driving license, the key number 70 and the country code of the third country are written at the bottom or behind the classes in line 12.
With this driving license you are not allowed to drive motor vehicles in Germany and a change is only possible with a theoretical and practical test.

Procedure & Fees

Processing time

The transfer takes about three to four weeks from the application.

Fees

The conversion of a foreign driver's license costs between EUR 36.30 and EUR 79.00. The basis for this is the fee schedule for measures in road traffic (GebOSt). The exact costs depend on the driver's license class and can only be determined on site using the complete documentation.

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