does getting an international driving permit (IDP) from India serve any help (in the sense of a monetary benefit and/or lesser steps involved in the examination) for obtaining a German driving license? I know as such the IDP allows a 6 month validity to drive, however, I would most likely not need to start driving immediately... it's only in an *eventual* or a long-term sense that I am looking to get a permanent German license. Thanks aprior,nitin
Having an international license does not help you at all.
I recently obtained a German License, and let me tell you that it is pretty expensive, and even more expensive if you fail any test/s.
As
long-haul said, apply as soon as you arrived to Germany, since it takes a while to meet all the requirements, and I think if you fail twice the driving test, you will have to wait few months to try again.
The process I had to follow was as following:
1- Find a driving school/s and request for an English speaking teacher unless your German is pretty good of course.
2- They gave me a list with all requirements to proceed to the written test
3- Meet the requirements ( First aid plus eye test certificate- not very expensive)
4- Buy the English version test samples (I can not recall how much but about 80 euros), the test samples have every possible question in the actual test. If you have good memory, it will be very easy if not, do not go to your exam until you are 100% sure, the test is about 80 euros, if you fail then of course another 80 euros
5- Lessons, I took 10 lessons (~350 euros)then I did the test (260 euros)
6- If successful-->license
As you can see, the whole procedure may take few months or even more than 6 months in some cases...depending on your driving skills, the school or whether you fail the driving test etc
Written test can be done in English.
Driving test must be done in German, my examiner was cool and spoke to me in English, however I was told that examiners are not allow to speak other language but German.
Unfortunately my situation was bit more difficult because I can not drive manual cars so it was a bit more expensive and finding a suitable school was also an issue.
Good luck!
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