International driver's license for German citizens

I'm a dual US/German citizen, who is just starting to learn German and will be going to Germany this summer. I would like to get a German DL while I am there, I posted about that elsewhere. But say I am successful in obtaining my German DL, I would also like to get an International driver's license while in Germany. (Don't ask why, I just need to get one). I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to how this is done, provided you already hold a valid German DL, I am hoping my German will be good enough to get around by this summer, but as of now I am lost. All the information I am finding in English is directed at US citizens, which makes sense, since most all German citizens probably speak German! (I only found out I was a dual this past summer, that's my excuse!)

Thanks again!

Allison

There's nuch thing as an intl DL. People who talk about those generally mean the translations.

Ironically, the bar might well be higher for you to do a German license as a German, than to do it as an American from a certain state.

Do you have German ID papers?

I do mean the translation, I know in many places it is referred to as an Intl DL. Can you get one of these at ADAC?

I have my German passport, and an OH driver's license, which should (hopefully) allow me to obtain my German one without any tests. I've never actually *been* to Germany, going for the first time in January for a week, and then again in May for seven weeks. The only thing I am concerned about is my "residence" when I am there. Do you know if they require a lease to prove residence or would an address be sufficient? When I first arrive I will be in transit pretty much the whole week but when I come back in May I will be staying with a host family for four weeks in Heidelberg for a language program. Could I get away with giving their address as my residence?

Thanks!

Allison

If you want to get an international license, contact the nearest AAA office, which is where you would get it in the US. For the amount of time you will be in Germany, AFAIK, you can drive using your US license; however, it doesn't hurt to bring an international one, which is issued based on the fact you have a US license, as MollyB alluded to. Even US citizens who live in Germany permanently can drive using their US license for up to the first six months of their stay here before exchanging a US license for a German one as part of one of the reciprocal agreements.

I appreciate you responding, but I already knew this. I have specific reasons for wanting an Int. license issued in Germany, and a German driver's license. I probably won't be doing any driving while in Germany, but I have my purposes. If anyone has any insight into this it would be much appreciated, thanks!

You already asked about this (and everything else) on the other thread.

Are you hoping that by starting a dozen different threads you might get a more favourable answer?

Rubbish!

You can get an international driving licence ("Internationaler Führerschein") from the same place that issues your German driving licence, usually the city hall in the area you live. If you are applying for a new German driving licence you can apply for the international version at the same time, so long as you provide an additional passport photo to include on the licence. Cost is €15 and validity is for 3 years. If you already have a German driving licence (and it MUST be one of the credit card types) you can apply at the driving licence office (Führerscheinstelle) of your residence with your passport, driving licence and photo and usually get the international document issued on the spot.

An International Driving Licence is an internationally accepted and official document provided by your country of driving license issue, with certified translations of your driving entitlement into an internationally accepted form (ratified in the Paris Convention of 1926, the Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Germany, ironically, was not a signatory and the Vienna Convention of 1968) . It is requirement to drive a vehicle in many non-European countries. It is only valid in combination with your national driving licence, so you must carry them together. Although most popular international countries (and certainly none in the EU) no longer require drivers to carry the international licence it's highly recommended for frequent travellers, as it can quickly get you out of awkward scrapes with non-German speaking police in foreign parts.

Thank you YorkshireLad6, that is very helpful!

(edit)

My apologies! Corrected above.

Just a piece of information I got from a classmate of mine.
International licenses are not valid anymore if you have stayed in the country for more than 3 months.
This means that if you stamped your passport on the 1st of January 2008, after 1st April 2008 you can't drive with an International license anymore.
I don't really have further information on this as I am not a native German speaker.

Wrong. What you can get is an International Driving Permit. It's not a licence and must be used in conjunction with your normal driving licence. It can be a pain to get one if you're using a DL from your home country e.g. you're an EU citizen and haven't converted to a German licence, because the IDP is only issued in the same country as your licence. So you either have to convert to a German licence and apply for an IDP in Germany or go back to the country your licence was issued in and have one issued there.

Link to the AA's IDP info page.

IDPs are not and never have been valid in the country your licence was issued in.

Nothing wrong at all, except the moot point about whether a "licence" is a "permit" or vice versa. Otherwise everything you wrote is in accordance with and partly repeating my missive...