Mobility

If you have a valid driving licence from an EU state (including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), you do not need to do anything else. You can simply drive a car in Germany for an unlimited period of time using your existing driving licence.

Driving licences from a non-EU country initially retain their validity in Germany for a specific period of time. If you wish to continue driving after this period lapses, you will need to have your foreign driving licence exchanged for a German driving licence.

Note: If you are not yet of age in Germany, your existing driving licence is not legally valid! You therefore also cannot use it on a temporary basis.

To exchange your foreign driving licence for a German one, you must pass the theoretical as well as a practical driving test. However, you do not need to take the customary driving lessons in Germany and can simply sign up directly to take the exams. This can be done at any driving school in Germany.

Nationals of certain countries are not required to take the theoretical and practical exams, however, if the exam conditions in their home country correspond to German requirements. Other nationals, on the other hand, are only required to take one of the two exams.

Vehicles from other European countries typically have a valid CoC certificate. CoC stands for “Certificate of Conformity”. This document states that your vehicle is in compliance with EU standards. The CoC certificate does not always have to have the words “Certificate of Conformity” on it as a translation in the respective national language typically appears instead.

If your vehicle has a CoC certificate, you can register it in Germany. If you do not have a CoC certificate for your vehicle because it was built before the mid-1990s, for example, you first need to have it tested and inspected by an officially recognised expert. To this end, please read the section entitled, “Registering your own vehicle (non-EU countries)”.

To register your vehicle at the vehicle registration office, or Kfz-Zulassungsstelle, you must present the following documents:

• Your valid ID card or passport
• Confirmation of third-party insurance for the vehicle. You are not legally permitted to drive the vehicle without this insurance!
• Registration certificate (EU country)
• CoC certificate
• Confirmation that the vehicle is roadworthy (“Nachweis über Hauptuntersuchung” / proof of main inspection), or more often simply called «TÜV»
  
• Contract of sale. Your name must appear on this contract.
• SEPA mandate so that motor vehicle tax can be debited (= motor vehicle tax) once annually
• “Declaration for VAT purposes” for new automobiles 
• Foreign licence plates of the vehicle if it is still registered abroad

Vehicles brought into Germany from a non-EU country must first be tested and inspected by an officially recognised expert. To this end, it will normally suffice if you contact a German automotive workshop. They will then organise everything for you there.

If the technical expert determines that your car is not in compliance with EU standards, you will have to have it modified or repaired accordingly. In rare cases ─ for example, with American-made vehicles ─ a fee-based exemption may also be granted.

To register your vehicle in Germany from a non-EU country, you will need the following documents:

• Your valid ID card or passport
• Confirmation of third-party insurance for the vehicle. You are not legally permitted to drive the vehicle without this insurance!
• Registration certificate from the non-EU country
• CoC certificate
• Confirmation that the vehicle is roadworthy (“Nachweis über Hauptuntersuchung” (proof of main inspection) or more often simply called «TÜV»). Not applicable if you have just received the CoC certificate as the driving ability test forms part of the CoC examination
• Contract of sale. Your name must appear on this contract.
• Permission for motor vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) to be debited once annually (can be completed on site)
• Verification that the customs office was informed regarding the import of your vehicle and was in agreement with this (= “Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung” (clearance certificate))
• Foreign licence plates of the vehicle if it is still registered abroad

To register a used vehicle purchased in Germany, you will need the following:

• Your valid ID card or passport
• Confirmation of third-party insurance for the vehicle. You are not legally permitted to drive the vehicle without this insurance!
• Registration certificate parts 1 and 2 (handed to you by the seller)
• Confirmation that the vehicle is roadworthy (“Nachweis über Hauptuntersuchung” (proof of main inspection) or more often simply called «TÜV») will also be handed over to you by the seller

If you purchase a new vehicle in Germany, you will need to present the following documents for registration:

• Your valid ID card or passport
• Confirmation of third-party insurance for the vehicle. You are not legally permitted to drive the vehicle without this insurance!
• Registration certificate part 2 (part 1 is issued on site during registration)
• Confirmation that the vehicle is roadworthy (“Nachweis über Hauptuntersuchung” (proof of main inspection) or more often simply called «TÜV») will be handed over to you by the seller
• The CoC certificate. CoC stands for “Certificate of Conformity”. This document states that your new vehicle is approved within the EU as it meets the standards that apply here. The term “EG-Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung” (EC certificate of conformity) is also often found on the CoC certificate in German. This is obtained from the seller.