Driver's license, rewrite foreign driver's license (list state)

Prerequisites

In order to have the driver's license rewritten by the Landesbetrieb Verkehr (LBV), the applicant's main place of residence must be in Hamburg. In addition, the foreign driving license must be valid at the time the application is submitted.

The transfer is also only possible if the foreign driver's license was obtained at a time when the applicant had had a normal residence for at least 185 days (six months) in the issuing country. This means that you must have lived abroad for at least six months in order to be able to have the driving license you acquired there converted into a German one. For example, if the driver's license was obtained during a four-week vacation, it cannot be converted into a German driver's license.

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

Documents required

Please bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

• an ID card or passport with a current confirmation of registration
• the valid foreign driving license in the original (possibly with an official translation)
• a biometric passport photo 35 x 45 mm
• if necessary, a translation and/or classification of the driving license by an officially sworn interpreter (the necessity can only be decided after a consultation)
• the appointment confirmation
• Depending on the country of issue, additional documents may be required

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, proof of professional driver qualification for commercial goods and/or passenger transport

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

Please note

In Hamburg, only the driving license offices LBV-Mitte and LBV-Nord are responsible for converting driving licenses. The application must be submitted in person; you will need an appointment for this.
Applications with power of attorney are not possible.

Appointment booking
Appointments are booked via the LBV. Here, do the following:
1. Visit the appointment booking website (see link below) and select the service group Driver's license the service conversion of foreign driver's license .
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.

Processing time

The transfer takes about four to six 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.