U.S. driver's licenses can be traded for German

It had been over 10 years and silly me forgot to switch my Arizona license over for a German one. I was told, you have to do it all over in Germany just like every 17 year old. Well, I started the process. Signed up at a driving school, started taking theory classes, had a first aid course, eye test, etc... Then, I went in to the TÜV center to have my "Prüfung" ordered and was told the new laws enabled me, despite the time lapse, to exchange my AZ license for a German one AS LONG as the original issue date for my license was before my entry into Germany.

Of course this is only valid for those US states which have an "agreement" with Germany. But I am sure there are many of you out there in my shoes. I thought I would share. Yipeeeee!!

What about motorcycle licenses - any word on that?

Well that does sound like good news, do you have any kind of link to the new law? I also have an AZ license & it would be good to get a German one, but I have found that sometimes the info isn't passed on & they may well ask me what the hell I am talking about if I don't have anything in writing!

I agree with Leky. My friend is going through the process now and she's from a non-transfer state, or so she's been told. Maybe the law has changed for her and the local Amt isn't aware of it. A link would be helpful.

NEW LAW? YES please link!

http://www.verkehrsportal.de/fev/anl_11_usa.php

The Fahrerlaubnisverordnung governs the question of foreigners and their right to apply for a drivers license. For non-EWR-license holders section 29 para. 1 sentence 3 FeV states that the licence of the country of origin is only valid for 6 months, if the license holder takes residence in Germany. This period can be extended, if the license holder can give evidence that he/her will not stay in the country longer than twelve months.

Section 31 FeV governs the application of non-EWR-license holders for a German drivers license. If a licence holder of a country listed in Annex 11 applies for a German drivers license the following requirements do not apply:
- health check
- eye test
- first aid course
- laws on the instruction

So I guess if you're not on that list of 35 states you have to do the whole shebang?

Ah Joe, you've edited, but you're talking about how long a license is valid, not for how long can you exchange such a license. But you're saying that as law now states no time limit, that means there isn't any time limit anymore. Wow.

http://www.verkehrsportal.de/fuehrerschein...ehrerschein.php this is pretty complete and indeed, doesn't say anything about a time limit for exchanging.

Right but if you show up with a US license and your meldung thingy, will they then slap a fine on you for driving illegally for the past XX years ;-) Hmm guess you could just say you have only just bought a car!

I just haven't been driving. For 11 years now. I will finally be free without having to pay the lousy 1000 Euros. Yay! And I can become a full member of STATTAUTO, our carsharing service, where I've even been the webmaster for the last five years! I'm so excited!

hello I been in germany for almost 3yrs I still have my US drivers lisence..So to get a german one is there a cost? or is it just a trade I'm not familiar with the department you mentioned.

thanks!

I am most interested in whether this has changed or not.

Does anyone all of the requirements for getting the US license converted to US German? I have a valid Massachusetts license but I'm trying to figure out where to go or where to call to find out all requirements.

Thx

You may find some answers on the AmCham website. There are also some Simplified Procedures for the Conversion of US-Driver’s Licenses in five German states

Can someone explain to simple me how this is different than the way things have always been? I traded in my Colorado license for a German one in 2001, no problem, no exam, no eye test, no first-aid class.