Driver's license and driving license

Updated: 01/12/2026

Saxony offers many opportunities to use public transportation to get to work or for everyday trips. With a driving license valid in Germany, you are even more flexible and can also increase your career opportunities.

In Germany, there are different driving license classes for mopeds, motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses and vehicles with trailers. The driving license allows you to drive a vehicle after passing the test. Proof of this is the driving license.

Important information:

The driving license tests are very demanding. Prepare well, e.g. with recommended apps.
Driving training is usually conducted in German. Ask at nearby driving schools or in your community whether courses in other languages are offered in your area.
The purchase costs money: training and services of the driving school, fees for the tests and the issuing of the driving license must be paid.
Plan enough time, as driving schools are often fully booked.
The driving license authority in your city or district is responsible for issuing the German driving license.

Our tip: Use the vocabulary list for the practical driving test (car - class B) from the Federal Association of Driving Instructors.

The local driving license authority at the city or district administration in your place of residence is responsible for issuing the German driving license.

At a glance

With a valid foreign driving license, you may drive motor vehicles (motor vehicles) of the corresponding category in Germany if you are not resident in Germany. When driving a motor vehicle with a foreign driving license in Germany, the following applies in principle:

The requirements for driving the motor vehicle of the corresponding category in Germany must be met (e.g. the minimum age).
Conditions and restrictions of the foreign driving license also apply in Germany.

EU/EEA driving license

These remain valid even after taking up residence in Germany. An international driving license is not sufficient. Class C and D driving licenses are only valid for five years after they are issued, even if they are valid for a longer period in the home country.

Driving license from non-EU countries

National driving licenses from non-EU countries may be used in Germany for six months. A translation must be carried for this purpose (exceptions can be found at the Federal Ministry of Transport). After that, a transfer to a German driving license is necessary.

In most cases, this means

Passing a theoretical and practical driving test
First aid course, eye test and other certificates
Registering with a driving school

The driving school will help you prepare for the tests. The cost of registering and taking tests is similar to that of a complete driving course. There are exceptions for some countries - for example, only one test or transfer without a test.

Important: Your foreign driving license must be valid at the time of the transfer.

An international driving license is not required in Germany.

With this, there is only no obligation to carry a translation, which is usually required for national driving licenses from non-EU countries.

Holders of foreign national driving licenses from EU and EEA countries are better off driving with valid national driving licenses. This is because they are allowed to drive vehicles in the relevant category for an unlimited period of time and even after moving their place of residence to Germany. However, this is not possible with an international driving license.

If you grossly violate the rules of the road in Germany and impair road safety, this violation will be recorded in the driving aptitude register. This is kept by the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg.

The registered offenses are assessed with 1 to 3 points according to the driving aptitude assessment system. If you reach 8 points, your driving license will be revoked.

To avoid having your driving license revoked, you can voluntarily take part in a driving fitness seminar and reduce your points.