Select the issuing country
The relevant fact is who issued your licence—not your nationality or country of birth.
Licence conversion check · Class B · Source-based
Which tests do you needto convert your licence?
Select where your driving licence was issued. Get a personal route covering tests, next steps and the official sources behind the result.
Foreign driving licenceGerman Class B
Free · no account · official sources monitored automatically
Personal country check
BCheck your conversion route
For a foreign passenger-car licence and German Class B.
Step 1 · Issuing countrySelect the country that issued the licence, not your nationality.
Class BPurposefully limited to passenger-car licences
FeV §§ 28–31Federal law as the core legal basis
Annex 11Country, region and licence type considered
29 Jul 2026Legally reviewed · monitored automatically
A personal result, not three broad categories
Your route depends on the licence that was issued.
EU/EEA, Annex 11 and other third-country licences follow different rules. For the US, Canada and Australia, the region also matters; some licences depend on an issue date or licence status. The checker only asks for those details when they are relevant.
See each test separately
Find out whether theory, practical, both tests or neither test is required.
No guesses for edge cases
Ambiguous cases are marked for authority review, with the reason and relevant source.
Your conversion route
From the first check to the German card.
The local procedure and documents may vary. These four stages provide the reliable federal structure.
- 01
Check your right to drive
For non-EU/EEA licences, the six-month rule generally starts when ordinary residence is established—not automatically on registration.
- 02
Prepare the application
Collect the valid original licence, proof of identity and the documents requested by your local driving licence authority.
- 03
Take the required tests
Only take the tests required for your country, region and exact local licence class.
- 04
Receive the German licence
When the German licence is issued, the foreign licence is generally handed to the competent authority.
Transparent, not a black box
The official basis is always one click away.
Every result links to the relevant source. DriveBase checks these texts daily for changes; legal rule updates are published only after human review.
DriveBase explains official rules in plain language but does not replace the individual decision of the driving licence authority.
Popular searches
Start with an issuing country.
Quick answers
Common licence-conversion questions.
When does the six-month period start?
The relevant date is when ordinary residence in Germany is established under FeV § 7. This is not automatically the entry or registration date. Your right to drive also ends earlier if the foreign licence expires first.
Do I always have to use a driving school?
Not for mandatory theory classes: under FeV § 31(2), you may prepare independently. Local booking procedures vary and some authorities require a driving school in the application. You need one at the latest for the readiness check, test vehicle and accompaniment in the practical test.
Do I always need an eye test and first-aid course?
No. That depends on the conversion route and, in some cases, special notes in Annex 11. A local authority may also request further evidence. This is why the checker does not show one blanket document list for everyone.
Is the result legally binding?
The checker uses your answers and the cited official sources, legally reviewed on 29 July 2026. The sources are monitored automatically for text changes. Your competent driving licence authority examines original documents, validity, restrictions and the individual case and makes the binding decision.
After your check
Take your route into DriveBase.
Your selection is preserved. If tests are required, DriveBase takes you straight to the matching theory or practical preparation.