Ukrainian Driving License in Germany: When to Exchange It for a German One
Holders of temporary protection status under Section 24 of the Residence Act may drive a car in Germany on a Ukrainian driving licence without exchanging it — this status has been extended until 4 March 2028. An exchange becomes mandatory once a person switches to another Aufenthaltstitel and in fact establishes their habitual residence outside the Section 24 regime. A six-month transitional period then begins, after which the Ukrainian licence ceases to be valid for driving in the country.
International Law Firm "Zahist" advises clients on the legalisation of driving entitlements in Germany. In our practice, most people learn of the exchange obligation too late — only after a change in the legal basis of residence, when the six-month period quietly expires amid other bureaucratic matters connected with the new residence permit.
We examine whether Ukrainian driving licences are valid in Germany and for how long, who does not yet need to exchange them, in which cases an exchange becomes mandatory, and how the Umschreibung procedure itself works. We also cover which documents are required, whether tests must be taken, how much an exchange costs, the special rules for professional drivers, and what risks a person who continues to drive with an invalid licence.
Are Ukrainian driving licences valid in Germany, and for how long
As of 18 August 2026, Ukraine was included in Annex 11 to the German Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung), which made it possible to exchange valid Ukrainian driving licences for German ones without taking a theory or practical test.
This applies to categories A1, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE — that is, virtually the full range, from a passenger car to a lorry and a bus.
The exchange itself is not immediately mandatory for everyone — a Ukrainian licence continues to be recognised in Germany under the applicable special regime for as long as the legal basis of residence that permits this remains in force.
Who does not currently have to exchange a driving licence
The main exemption from the mandatory exchange applies precisely to holders of temporary protection status under Section 24 — they may drive a car on a Ukrainian licence without Umschreibung for as long as this status remains valid.
- Persons with temporary protection status (Section 24 AufenthG), which has been extended until 4 March 2028
- Persons who are staying in Germany on a short-term basis and have not established their habitual residence here
- Tourists and visitors with a valid Ukrainian licence under the ordinary international rules
It is important to understand that this exemption is tied specifically to the legal basis of residence, not to Ukrainian citizenship as such or to residence in Germany in general.
In which cases an exchange of the licence becomes mandatory
The obligation to exchange a driving licence arises at the moment a person establishes their habitual residence (gewöhnlicher Wohnsitz) in Germany outside the preferential Section 24 regime — most often this occurs precisely upon switching to another Aufenthaltstitel.
| Situation | Is an exchange of the licence required |
| Valid temporary protection status (Section 24) | No, an exchange is not mandatory |
| Switch to a work permit or family reunification | Yes, within 6 months of establishing residence |
| Obtaining a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) | Yes, within 6 months of establishing residence |
| Short-term visit without permanent residence | No |
The six-month period from the moment habitual residence is established is the key reference point: once it expires, a Ukrainian licence no longer entitles the holder to drive a motor vehicle in Germany, and a German licence is required.
How Umschreibung works — the exchange procedure
- Contact the driving licence authority (Führerscheinstelle or Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) at the place of residence
- Submit an application for exchange together with the set of documents
- Undergo a review of the documents submitted and, where necessary, a medical examination
- Surrender the Ukrainian licence (as a general rule, it is withdrawn when the German licence is issued)
- Receive a new German licence in the corresponding categories
The procedure is administered at local level, so the specific list of requirements or additional certificates may differ somewhat by federal state, and even by the particular authority.
Documents for exchanging a licence
- A valid Ukrainian driving licence in the original
- A passport or another recognised identity document
- An Aufenthaltstitel — a document confirming the legal basis of residence in Germany
- A biometric photograph
- A translation of the Ukrainian licence, if the particular authority requires one
- Additional certificates according to the category — for example, a medical certificate for categories C and D
The list of documents should be confirmed with the authority to which the application is submitted — requirements may differ even between neighbouring towns within the same federal state.
Is it necessary to take theory and practical tests
Thanks to Ukraine’s inclusion in Annex 11 to the Driving Licence Ordinance as of August 2026, the exchange for the listed categories takes place without a theory or practical test — this is the main practical change compared with previous years.
Until August 2026, the situation was considerably more complicated: some authorities suspended the acceptance of applications to exchange Ukrainian licences altogether, citing the absence of an international agreement on mutual recognition. Others required a full examination, as for drivers from countries outside the special list.
That is why clients who tried to exchange a licence a year or two ago and received a refusal or a requirement to take a test may apply again under the new, substantially simplified rules.
A medical examination or an eyesight check for certain categories (primarily C and D) nevertheless remains in place — the exemption from tests concerns driving a motor vehicle itself, not the health requirements for drivers.
Time limits and costs of the procedure
| Parameter | Indicative amount |
| Administrative fee for the exchange (with a probationary period) | EUR 53.22 |
| Administrative fee for the exchange (without a probationary period) | EUR 52.42 |
| Additional costs | Medical examination, translation of documents — separately |
The total cost of the procedure depends primarily on whether a translation of the licence and a medical examination are required for the particular category — the basic administrative fee accounts for only a small part of the final expense.
Special rules for professional drivers
For lorry and bus drivers, exchanging the licence itself is only half the matter: the right to drive a motor vehicle and the right to work as a professional driver are governed by different rules.
Even after a test-free exchange of a category C or D licence, Ukrainian professional drivers must additionally complete training and confirm the professional driver qualification (Berufskraftfahrerqualifikation) in an EU Member State.
The duration of such training is 35 to 60 hours, including at least 2.5 hours of practical driving of a motor vehicle, and bus drivers are additionally subject to a functional and performance test.
What changes when switching from Section 24 to another Aufenthaltstitel
A switch from temporary protection status to another type of residence permit — a work visa, a permit through family reunification, or an unlimited Niederlassungserlaubnis — automatically starts the six-month period for exchanging the driving licence.
This is one of those practical consequences of a change of status that can easily be overlooked amid other formalities — transferring health insurance, social benefits, and registering at a new address.
The moment an application for a new Aufenthaltstitel is filed is therefore the right time to plan a visit to the Führerscheinstelle as well, rather than postponing the matter until the last week before the six-month period expires.
Consequences of driving without a valid licence
Driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence is classified in Germany as a criminal offence under Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). It is punishable by a fine of 5 to 360 daily rates or by imprisonment for up to 12 months.
Motor vehicle insurance generally covers the costs of the injured party in the event of a traffic accident; however, the insurer has the right to recover by way of recourse from the at-fault driver who lacks a valid licence up to EUR 5,000.
The risk is therefore not limited to a fine or possible imprisonment — the financial consequences for the driver in the event of an accident may be substantially higher than the cost of exchanging the driving licence in good time.
It is worth exchanging the driving licence in advance, even if it is not yet mandatory
Formally, holders of status under Section 24 may postpone filing an application with the Führerscheinstelle for as long as that residence status continues.
In practice, however, a timely exchange makes sense for those who plan to live in Germany long term. A German licence removes any doubt during a roadside check and makes it easier to rent a vehicle or take out insurance, whereas the status of a Ukrainian document must be explained separately on each occasion.
A further practical consideration is family planning: if a family member is also changing to a different status together with the applicant, it is advisable to compare the deadlines for exchanging the driving licence for each person separately and not to rely solely on the principal applicant’s date.
Because the procedure itself has been significantly simplified since August 2026 and, for the list of basic categories, does not require examinations, postponing the application merely out of fear of a demanding test is no longer justified.
Legal assistance with exchanging a driving licence in Germany
Determining whether an exemption from the mandatory exchange applies to your situation, and not missing the six-month period after a change of residence status, is a task in which missing the deadline means driving without a valid licence.
Lawyers at International Law Firm "Zahist" help determine the point from which the period for exchanging the driving licence must be calculated, prepare the set of documents for the Führerscheinstelle, and assist clients, including professional drivers, with matters of confirming qualifications.
We also advise on how a change to a different Aufenthaltstitel affects the validity of a Ukrainian licence in your particular case.
If you need to establish whether the time has already come to exchange a Ukrainian licence for a German one, contact International Law Firm "Zahist" — we will assess your situation in a consultation.
