next up previous contents
Next: Moving in Up: Bureaucratic procedures Previous: Bureaucratic procedures

Drivers license requirements

We discovered that most of us experienced challenges when trying to determine the correct driver's license procedures. It is best to start preparing for your driver's license exam as soon as possible. For the first 6 months of your stay here, you are allowed drive in Germany with your U.S. driver's license. Six months after your arrival, you may no longer drive in Germany without a German driver's license. If you are caught driving without a German license, you are subject to serious fines. However, if you are staying in Germany for less than 1 year, this policy may be waived. Ask your HR department to verify this for you.

You must also have your U.S. driver's license translated into German within 6 months of moving here. This can be done in several ways. You may travel to Dorfen or Munich to have your license translated and certified by the German automobile club (ADAC) or you may pay the Fahrschule (driving school) to do this for you for about 50 Euro per license. There is a translator in Altötting who will translate driver's licenses for around 15 Euro: Bärbel Pluto, Pater Rupert Mayerstrasse 8. Her phone is 08671/13750, and she speaks English. Also Frau Kristina Zimmerman, 08677/911243 in the Altstadt, Burghausen, can have it translated by her colleague, a certified translator. Frau Zimmerman speaks excellent English.

Before receiving your new German driver's license you will need to complete several steps. The Fahrschule can help you with most of these processes, but some steps can only be handled by you. Depending on the state which issued your current U.S. driver's license, different rules apply as to whether you need to take just the written test, the driving test, or both. Oregon residents need only take the written exam. California residents are required to pay for at least five driving lessons as well as take the practical exam. Because this process is very confusing, go over each step with the Fahrschule representative to make sure that you are clear. Note: the asterisk (*) denotes the steps the Fahrschule can assist you with.

1.
Translation of your U.S. driver's license into German. * Must be obtained within 6 months of arrival.
2.
Request for an application for a German license.*
3.
Purchase study materials in English for the written driving exam.* Note: study early because there are many questions to memorize and only a few can be missed on the exam! As of December 2000, there are 30 questions on the exam and each have different points assigned to them. You can only miss a certain number of points and still pass. The cost of the two books (make sure to request the English books) is about 50. They will give you two books full of sample tests. You learn by answering the questions and correcting yourself using the answer key. Note - the English used on these tests is British English so Americans will have to become acquainted with some 'strange' new terminology. There are some new signs you'll have to learn the meaning of as well. You will quickly learn that the German way of driving and road design is extremely logical and the whole idea is to keep traffic moving. Stop signs and traffic lights are far fewer here than in the U.S.
4.
Completion of a first aid course* and a Sehtest (eye exam): You may visit any eyeglasses shop and request to have the Sehtest. They will then provide you with a form which you need to bring back to the driving school. The first aid classes are offered at least once a month in every town. You can also drive to a nearby town for the course if the schedule is more convenient for you. The class will probably be taught in the Bavarian dialect and you may not be the only foreigner in the class; feel free to introduce yourself to the instructor before class and ask him/her to speak slowly. Although you may not understand everything, you must sit through it anyway and prove that you understand the basics of CPR and emergency life saving measures. It usually lasts four hours on a Saturday morning and may also be offered in the evening. Please note: A First Aid course is mandatory because it is against the law to pass by the scene of an accident without stopping to offer first aid to any victims, or to ensure that someone else is there who is offering first aid. There are also other traffic laws that are different here that you'll want to make sure you're aware of (see the section on 'Legal Differences').
5.
Obtain two passport photos for your German license.
6.
Return the eye exam and first aid forms along with the two passport photos to the Fahrschule for completion of the application process.*
7.
Once the completed application is returned to the Fahrschule, verify that all pertinent information is correct.
8.
Take your application, your original translation of your driver's license, your passport photos, your passport, your U.S. driver's license and any other forms you have received to the Landratsamt (county hall) in Altötting if you live in Landkreis (county) Altötting. If you live in Landkreis München, the Landratsamt is located in Mühldorf. The Landratsamt will process your application and then return it to the Fahrschule. Be sure to check with the Fahrschule frequently, as they may not call you to notify you that the application process is complete!
9.
Arrange to have the written driving test ordered in English (at least two weeks before your exam) and confirm your test date. It will cost approximately 70 to take the written test. You might then be required to take one or more hours of road instruction with the driving instructor before being allowed to take the road test.*
10.
Once you have successfully passed your driver's test and received your certificate, you will need to go back to the Landratsamt. Bring your U.S. passport, current driver's license and translation, your certificate and approximately 50. After you pay you'll receive your driver's license.
11.
You may have to hand over your U.S. driver's license at the Landratsamt, where it will be kept on file. You can exchange your German driver's license for your U.S. one if you are travelling to the States. However, as with many bureaucratic matters this is subject to change. Please verify this information with your contact person at the Landratsamt.
12.
If for any reason you cannot obtain your U.S. driver's license before a trip to the U.S. (if, for instance, you have an emergency or unexpected trip to the U.S. on a weekend when the Landratsamt is closed) don't panic. Rental car agencies will accept a German driver's license, and you will of course also always have your U.S. passport with you as a legal form of identification. Check cashing will be problematic, however, as many U.S. stores will not accept your Passport as identification!

Tip: Start this process early. The procedures in Germany take some time to complete and office hours are often limited. Be aware that in for most steps in the process you will need to pay in cash for services so come prepared. Be sure to always follow up with the Fahrschule as they may not call you.


next up previous contents
Next: Moving in Up: Bureaucratic procedures Previous: Bureaucratic procedures
Barbara Heller
2006-01-09