Is my driving license valid in Germany?

[KediKesenFare3]

In few days my PhD program starts and I have to leave for Germany. I want to ask members here from Germany whether our international driving license is valid there?

I have been working in UAE for many years so driving a left handed vehicle is not a problem.

@Retired Troll @!eon

2000 € it'll cost you if you take the test in Germany, I guess.

 

[Crusher]

@Simurgh

I have heard from people around me that "internationally accepted driving licenses" are valid for first 6 months after arriving in Germany, after that one needs to do German driving license from a driving school which costs around 2000 euros for theory and practice classes and examinations etc. But I am not sure about details of it.

 

[!eon]

Welcome, hope you would be positive addition to community.
Driving license from any country is valid for 6 months. You would need authorized German translation while driving. If your stay is up to 1 year, that validity can be increased by extra 6 months. Office responsible for that extension is Führerscheinstelle (driving license authority) in your city. In some cities you need an appointment and in others you don't. Better take there someone who can speak German with you.

For stay more than 1 year, you need to convert your licence to German license, no matter from which country it is. Again you would go to Führerscheinstelle with passport size photo, German translation of original license, passport and certificate of your personal registration in your city (Meldebescheinigung).

To get a conversion for Pakistani or UAE license you need to clear both theory and practical tests. The registration to both tests is only possible through driving school. Now, you would have to convince the teacher that you can drive and that you don't need to sit in theory classes and you don't need driving practice. You may have to drive few hours though.

A new one is indeed around 2000 Euros but this conversion would be less than 500 Euros, because a lot of money goes into driving practice and theory classes.

BUT
I would suggest you to drive a bit and get some practical lessons. Driving in Germany is different from that in Pakistan. It is disciplined to extreme and very fast on motorways (Autobahn). In Pakistan, we don't care about signals, speed limits, signs, line and lane etc but that's not the case here, and bad habits don't leave the person easily. There are zones inside city 30km/h, 20km/h and a bit complex rule for foreigners "right before left". Check the link for details. There are training areas (Verkehrsübungsplatz), check which one is near you and have some practice before driving on roads.

In few days my PhD program starts and I have to leave for Germany. I want to ask members here from Germany whether our international driving license is valid there?

I have been working in UAE for many years so driving a left handed vehicle is not a problem.

@Retired Troll @!eon

Merge on the autobahn at a good speed 80kmh/100kmh and beware of large vehicles when merging.

and beware of German chachus and chachies driving on Autobahn

after that one needs to do German driving license from a driving school which costs around 2000 euros for theory and practice etc.

2000 € it'll cost you if you take the test in Germany, I guess.

Conversion is cheaper. You don't need all the driving practice hours and theory classes. I have written the process for gentleman, have a look. It is possible to get between 400 to 500 €.

 

[Asad200]

That's helpful thanks a lot.

Welcome, hope you would be positive addition to community.
Driving license from any country is valid for 6 months. You would need authorized German translation while driving. If your stay is up to 1 year, that validity can be increased by extra 6 months. Office responsible for that extension is Führerscheinstelle (driving license authority) in your city. In some cities you need an appointment and in others you don't. Better take there someone who can speak German with you.

For stay more than 1 year, you need to convert your licence to German license, no matter from which country it is. Again you would go to Führerscheinstelle with passport size photo, German translation of original license, passport and certificate of your personal registration in your city (Meldebescheinigung).

To get a conversion for Pakistani or UAE license you need to clear both theory and practical tests. The registration to both tests is only possible through driving school. Now, you would have to convince the teacher that you can drive and that you don't need to sit in theory classes and you don't need driving practice. You may have to drive few hours though.

A new one is indeed around 2000 Euros but this conversion would be less than 500 Euros, because a lot of money goes into driving practice and theory classes.

BUT
I would suggest you to drive a bit and get some practical lessons. Driving in Germany is different from that in Pakistan. It is disciplined to extreme and very fast on motorways (Autobahn). In Pakistan, we don't care about signals, speed limits, signs, line and lane etc but that's not the case here, and bad habits don't leave the person easily. There are zones inside city 30km/h, 20km/h and a bit complex rule for foreigners "right before left". Check the link for details. There are training areas (Verkehrsübungsplatz), check which one is near you and have some practice before driving on roads.







and beware of German chachus and chachies driving on Autobahn




Conversion is cheaper. You don't need all the driving practice hours and theory classes. I have written the process for gentleman, have a look. It is possible to get between 400 to 500 €.

 

[El Sidd]

and beware of German chachus and chachies driving on Autobahn

Its them Dutch and Austrians that i fear the most on the Autobahn.

Chachus and Chachies do not linger on the fast lange that much

 

[Skywalker]

In few days my PhD program starts and I have to leave for Germany. I want to ask members here from Germany whether our international driving license is valid there?

I have been working in UAE for many years so driving a left handed vehicle is not a problem.

@Retired Troll @!eon

Brother I have checked it with someone as per him the international driving lisence from Pakistan and it’s Valid for 6 months.

 

[Asad200]

Brother I have checked it with someone as per him the international driving lisence from Pakistan and it’s Valid for 6 months.

Thanks Brother.

 

[!eon]

Its them Dutch and Austrians that i fear the most on the Autobahn.
Chachus and Chachies do not linger on the fast lange that much

sahi

Thanks Brother.

and one more thing, there is no concept of fast lane in Germany. It's only overtaking lane. You would overtake a vehicle and return back into right lane. On Autobahn you may think at 250km/h you are driving very fast but there are certainly drivers more faster than you. You have to pay fine if you constantly drive in left lane (overtaking lane).

 

[BATMAN]

You should be able to drive as a visitor and even rent a car.
I have friends, who drove all over Europe on Pakistani licence after renting car.
Don't know, if situation is changed or not.
Skills of driving left hand are not enough. Street rules in Europe are extra than Pakistan /UAE.
However theory part shouldn't be difficult to pass, can't say the same about driving test.