Am I allowed to drive in Germany with a foreign driver's license?
July 21, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Jenny König
Dear lawyer,
my name is Claudia Seiler and I recently moved from Spain to Germany. In Spain, I have a driver's license that is valid there. Now I am wondering if I am allowed to drive in Germany with this foreign driver's license.
I am worried that my license may not be recognized here and that I could potentially have problems with the police. I want to make sure that I can participate legally in traffic.
Could you please inform me if I am allowed to drive in Germany with my Spanish driver's license? Are there any specific requirements that I need to meet in order to legally drive a car here?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me with this question and provide me with possible solutions if my license is not directly recognized.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Claudia Seiler
Dear Mrs. Seiler,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your Spanish driver's license and whether you are allowed to drive in Germany with it. It is understandable that you are concerned and want to ensure that you can participate in traffic legally. I will now provide you with all the relevant information on this topic.
Basically, as an EU citizen with a valid driver's license from another EU country, you are allowed to drive in Germany as well. So, your Spanish driver's license is also valid here. However, you need to keep in mind some things to ensure that you are driving legally:
1. Validity of the driver's license: Your Spanish driver's license must still be valid. Therefore, check the expiration date on your driver's license.
2. Residence: Since you now live in Germany, you need to register your residence here. Usually, you have a period of 6 months to exchange your Spanish driver's license for a German one.
3. Exchange of the driver's license: You can exchange your Spanish driver's license in Germany if it is no longer valid or if you have your residence here. However, this is not mandatory as long as your driver's license is still valid.
4. Language requirements: Your driver's license must be issued in a language that is understandable in Germany. If this is not the case, you should be able to provide a certified translation of the driver's license.
5. Traffic rules: Note that different traffic rules apply in Germany compared to Spain. Familiarize yourself with the German traffic rules to drive safely on the roads.
If you have any further questions or issues, I am happy to assist. It is important to adhere to the applicable regulations to avoid potential problems with the police.
I hope that I could help you with this information. If needed, I am available for further questions.
Sincerely,
Jenny König, Lawyer
