Driving in Germany: licence, car and insurance
Whether you can keep driving on your foreign licence depends on where it was issued. If you need to exchange it, start early — it can take months. Buying a car adds registration, mandatory insurance and inspections.
Your licence
- Driving licence exchange · Umschreibung der ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis Depends on your situation
EU licences stay valid in Germany. Non-EU licences work for 6 months after you move here. Whether you need tests to exchange yours depends on the Anlage 11 country list.
A car
- Buying a car · Kfz-Zulassung (vehicle registration) Depends on your situation
Buying a car in Germany: mandatory liability insurance and eVB number, registration at the Zulassungsstelle, car tax via customs, TÜV inspections and scam warnings.
Or skip the car
- Deutschlandticket · Deutschlandticket (D-Ticket) Optional
Deutschlandticket 2026: €63 per month, local and regional transport across Germany. What is included, how to cancel, Jobticket and student versions.