Driver's license conversion, U.S. to German

Where can I find a list of the states that offer reciprocity?

http://www.fuehrerschein.net/umschreibung2.html

That is odd, the link above is different than the AmCam site. For example IN is not on the list above, however, it is on the AmCam one and when I went to the office, they said IN was 1-1 swap.
Here is the list from the AmCam site

The following states have agreements with the German government. Applicants from these US states are exempt from the following tests when applying for a German drivers license.

US State Practical Written
Alabama exempt exempt
Arizona exempt exempt
Arkansas exempt exempt
Colorado exempt exempt
Connecticut exempt
Delaware exempt exempt
Florida exempt
Idaho exempt
Illinois exempt exempt
Indiana exempt exempt
Iowa exempt exempt
Kansas exempt exempt
Kentucky exempt exempt
Louisiana exempt exempt
Massachusetts exempt exempt
Michigan exempt exempt
Mississippi exempt
Missouri exempt
Nebraska exempt
New Mexico exempt exempt
North Carolina exempt
Ohio exempt exempt
Oregon exempt
Pennsylvania exempt exempt
Puerto Rico exempt exempt
South Carolina exempt exempt
South Dakota exempt exempt
Tennessee exempt
Utah exempt exempt
Virginia exempt exempt
Washington D.C. exempt
Washington State exempt exempt
West Virginia exempt exempt
Wisconsin exempt exempt
Wyoming exempt exempt

Indiana wasn't in the list because it was part of "all the others" in the bottom (Für alle anderen US-Bundesstaaten gibt es die vereinfachte Umschreibung nicht). Anyway, all this might change with the introduction of the single EU driver license.

I misunderstood it - thanks for the clarification DV.
Do you have a link in English explaining the new EU driver license and how will that effect non-eu. I would think the process for them would still be the same and that it would only effect EU residents???

Thanks.

I found another forum about this topic here, eurobabs. Also, the EU has a site called EU: Towards a European e-driving licence. It doesn't look like it's updated.
Wikipedia has this comment:


I believe the new licenses will be introduced in 2013. As yet I'm not too sure how that will affect non-EU citizens. Perhaps the AmCham site will have the necessary info for US drivers sometime in the future.

Re getting your US DL back after getting a German license... I think it varies by german state. My cousin (american) lived in Bavaria and just had to fill out a form and her license was returned with that sticker saying it wasn't valid which she just peeled right off.

We live in Berlin and my husband called to get instructions how to get my license back and was told by 3 people that it was impossible. Finally he had to speak to some manager who said that each german state has a different policy on this but yes it was possible, we had to write a letter stating why I needed it (it had to be a compelling reason to them, such as required for business yada, yada) and we had to pay 100 euros. When we tried to submit this we still got the run around at the information window, we were told, no not possible but luckily we had the name of the person we spoke with and we were sent up to her office and I had my license back within the hour. Oh, one tip that seemed to make a big difference, my husband being german suggested we attach a copy of the professional business license that I had to have in the US to work in my line of business, he said that they love official looking documents. Sure enough, they glanced over my letter, then came to the copy of my professional license with its official look and stamps and always noded their head in satisfaction, even though it was in english and they really had no idea what it was.

Hey everyone, I have searched and read everything that I can about converting a US DL to a German one and nothing so far answers my question. My situation:
Had a DL from KY (1:1 swap state) for 6 years, then one from TX (NOT a 1:1 state) for the last 6 yrs. I have been here in Wiesbaden Germany for 18 months and it's killing me to think that I have to pay tons of money just to drive. I usually take the trains back and forth to work (German company), but every once in a while I drive illegally because i need a car. I am trying to figure out if anyone knows anything about the the fact that Hessen is flipping the bird to Germany and allowing a conversion regardless of what US state you come from. I just found this out today while I was searching online for a place to take driving lessons so I can be legal again. I found this on the AmCham website:http://www.amcham.de/location-germany/drivers-license.html. I have sent the Wiesbaden Führerscheinstelle an email so I can have their answer in writing, but I am hoping that someone has been thru this before in Hessen.

why bitch? that is great news! get your license converted.

I've included an exerpt below. From that page, search for "Latest Developments" and make sure to look at the specific requirements per state, like them requiring you work at an American company.

Latest Developments

this is in response to the posts from march, for getting your US DL back after you got a German one, couldn't you just call/write/email your local US DMV and tell them your wallet has been lost or something? wouldn't they just issue you a new US DL?

NEW INFO as of April 2007 - Good news for several more states - a dozen or so more have been made exempt now from the road test.

"Partial reciprocity agreements (exemption from the road test) have been approved for: CONNECTICUT, FLORIDA, IDAHO, MINNESOTA, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NORTH CAROLINA, OREGON, TENNESSEE and the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ... Last updated: April 2007"

per website US Embassy Link

I've been here a year and a half can i go back to the states and convert my maine license to a mass license then convert it to a german license?

At least in Bavaria, technically not. If you have already established residency in Germany, i.e. registered anywhere, then they look at the issue date of your new US license, and if it was issued AFTER you have first registered in Germany, then they won't accept it. (Precisely to close this loophole. I know, I tried the same trick.)

And you can't just de-register for a short period, get your new US license, and then re-register. You have to be de-registered from residency in Germany for at least 6 months before you qualify. (I am not saying this as clearly as I would like to, but hopefully you get the drift.)

I managed to get around this problem a bit creatively. I first got my license in KS in 1988 (long before moving to Germany),then moved to CA and got a new license there. I had a CA license when I moved to Germany which does not have reciprocity. I went back to KS and got my license there, and got a letter from the DMV stating that I had first been licensed in KS in 1988, and in the letter they conveniently left out the fact that I had been licensed in CA between times. So from the appearances from the letter, I had only been licensed in KS, and the issue date on my new license was only the renewal date. The German Führerscheinstelle took one look at the official looking letter, and said that was fine.

I still had to do the eye exam, first aid course, and get the translation of my US license. Paid some fees for each, plus the Führerscheinstelle fee, but all together it added up to under €100. So that was the best deal.

Deregistering for 6 months can lead to loss of residency unless you have an explicit letter of permission to be out of the country for a period longer 90 days. You get this letter from the KVR. Then you can play all the games you want. Best US license to hold: Virginia. Both cars and motorcycles transfer with no written or practical test. Since the US doesn't license differently for trailers an official note from the VA DMV stating that you're allowed to take a trailer may be accepted here and get you that endorsement as well.

woof.

Hello, I'm looking at converting an Alaska Drivers License over to a German DL. I've been here for a little over three months and I've heard you have to do it within six months of moving here, is that true? Does anyone know where I can find out whether or not Alaska DL's convert? And also, where do I need to start with this whole process? Thanks - tanner

No conversion ... Alaska is not on the list

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

The German Ministry of Transport in conjunction with the German Länder has approved exemptions to the practical (road) and theoretical (written) tests for license holders from: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, COLORADO, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW MEXICO, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON STATE, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND PUERTO RICO.

New York State also has no reciprocity with respect to driver's licenses. My NYS license is valid for the first six months. I have to get my German driver's license before the six months are up, though. As I understand it, I do not have to do the 30+ hours of driving school (Fahrschule), but I do have to take and pass both the written theoretical test and the practical driving test. I took and passed the theoretical test this past Friday and I'll be scheduling to take the practical driving test sometime in the next few weeks, probably after the holidays. For those who also have to go through this rigamarole, you should know that you can take the written test in English (or any other language for that matter).

BTW, there's a really good webpage that explains most of the German driving rules in English. Find it here: Brian's Guide to Getting Around Germany

I flew home to Maine, drove to Amherst and scored a Mass. License in an hour (in exchange for my Maine). Flew back to Munich, went to the amt, told the lady I studied in Amherst (true enough) and that I had a Mass. license for over a decade (not true). But it worked.

Some people are missing some valuable new information. Many German states are now doing one to one conversions with US DLs regardless of any reciprocity agreements. This is especially true of former DDR states. Do a search as I posted the info and link on some thread concerning this theme.

You can drive for 6 months on your Alaska License. After that you cannot drive and have another 2.5 years to convert to the German License. If you do not complete this by the 3-year mark then you have to take the full course not just the written and practical.

If you have an America Drivers License can you just go to the Drivers License Place in Germany
and have it converted or do you have to take a test to do all that?
And also what is the Drivers License Place called in German if anyone knows and about how
much will this whole thing cost?

Topics merged by admin

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Driver's license conversion, U.S. to German

I have a GA Licence and need to get it converted. Is the First Aid course / eye test necessary? If yes, where can I get them done (the course in English)?

Various cities seem to handle those requirements differently, but with a GA license, the first aid course and eye test are the least of your worries, as your license is not eligible for conversion. You need the road and written test.

yes, I am aware of that, which was the reason for the . I have contacted Christine Timmer and they suggested a couple of places for the course, but I cannot do it before next saturday. Any other recommendations so that I can get it done earlier? Is it really needed in the first place?

According to the FeV http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev/BJNR...98BJNG003100000 , yes those tests are required.
The only requirement that is waived for holders of licenses that are not in appendix 11 is the driver training requirement.
That being said, the only way to know for sure is to check with your local Führerscheinstelle.

So I'm not sure if anyone will ever get to this page, but I thought I would put this info up anyway, as it seems to be important.

I went down to the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde today to try to transfer my Pennsylvania license. I had my license, passport, passport pictures, cash, and I thought, a translation. For my translation, I brought my international driving permit, which is issued by AAA in the US and translates your drivers license into like 10 languages, German among them. Unfortunately, despite arguing with the Beamtin for like 10 minutes, the translation in the international driving permit is not recognized. She said that I need to have the translation done by ADAC or another certified translator, even though AAA is the US equivalent of ADAC. If only I had brought something with a Stempel on it, I bet it would have worked then...

So moral of the story, get a recognized translation done before waiting at the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde for over an hour.

Also, does anyone know how much it costs and how long it takes to have ADAC do a translation? Where in Munich is ADAC located?

10 Eur or so.
5 Min.

ADAC Munich
-------------------------
Sonnenstrasse 23
Elsaessel Str 33
RidlerStr. 35
Muenchner Str. 46a, Dachau

Actually, a more important moral would be the one about checking on TT before going to the office in question at all. In numerous places on this very thread people have talked about getting an offical translation done via ADAC.

perhaps better to phone them first and ask. I didn't need a translation of my license, I assume because the old one was in the newer EU format.

when i went there earlier this year it was €50 i think.... it would have been 40 i think had i been ADAC member....
Im thinking the prices went up a bit.

50 Eur is the fee for getting the new license (From the Fuherschenstelle). ADAC only provides the translation, not the license.

When I had ADAC translate my Colorado license, it cost 50 euro (like Munichjoe said, 40 if I had been a member).

ADAC website says 50 euro too

The cost to get the new license from the KVR in Munich was 35 euro -- less than the translation! That price depends on what kind of license you have:

KVR Gebühren and other info

When the ADAC translated my license, I had to leave it with them overnight.

Dam.. What a ripoff..

thats kinda what i said, esp since i'd only heard that it was no more than 10-15€, i got there and had to think if i had enough cash in my pocket or not... luckily i did

I must do this too (California license). I was told rather than give up my CA license, I should apply for the AAA International Driver's License, and then let them take that. Anyone try this?

You can't do that. The AAA International Driving Permit is simply a translation document to ACCOMPANY your valid license.
There is also no testing exemption for California driver's licenses. You need to take both the road and written tests.

The AAA International Driving Permit = translation of US license details into various languages (Including German)
ADAC Letter = Translation of US license details into German..

So why does one need the ADAC Letter, when the AAA-IDP does the same thing?
Anybody have a copy of an ADAC letter? I can just photoshop it and save people some $$.

highered, this thread states that in Hamburg, a CA license is approved for reciprocity. We live in Buchholz, which is actually in Niedersachsen... and haven't registered yet. Just wondering if I can register in Hamburg using my in-laws' address? My husband is going to ask the expat coordinator about all of this today. I do NOT want to have to take all the tests. I've been driving (with a perfect record) for nearly 30 years.... ARGH.

You get it back when you receive your German license. My wife & I got ours back this past year. If not, just tell the state you lost it and get a replacement.

Applicants must live and work in the state of Hamburg - (Sie müssen in Hamburg wohnen, bei einem in Hamburg ansässigen Unternehmen arbeiten ...)

Just curious, does anyone know if the American RMV requires a translation of the German license being converted?

Whats "American RMV"?

If anybody has an ADAC letter they want to scan/email me, PM me...

RMV - Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Like the Verkehrsamt here in GY.

Not going to work ... due to § 4 (2) IntKfzVO:

@Bumpy
That function is handled by each individual state. There is no central DB.. As far as I know, but maybe with all the post 9/11 laws they have a secret one somewhere.
AAA is more like the US ver. of ADAC.

@miwild
If its a scan of the Orig. letter, then its going to have a signature.
Stamps, and things like address can be "fixed". Hell even signatures can be "fixed".
Anythings possible. Its not like the DL Place is going to call ADAC and verify its authenticity.

If you wanted to make things a little easier, you could get a scanned orig. from each state.

@Darkknight,

Let me try and re-phrase the question.

To get a German license, one converted from a US State with reciprocity, you must present a translation of said drivers license to the Verkehrsamt.

Does the RMV require a translation (into English) for Germans wishing to convert their license?

I suppose only Germans would know the answer to this question as they have potentially gone through the process.

Of course ... go ahead

Laws..Waaaaa.. Just don't get caught.

Another alternative would be to goto an officially recognized/licensed translator and get the license translated. From what I've found on the net the price would be 15-25 Eur
1/2 the prices (Or less) than what ADAC charge. ADAC are using their Auto monopoly to charge people out the ass for translations..

Here's some info from AmCham about the special conversion agreements:
http://www.amcham.de/location-germany/driv...se.html#hamburg

Note that just listing a Hamburg address won't be sufficient--you'll actually have to registered as living there. The Führerscheinstelle will likely look you up in their database.