Driving Licence Translation for Germany

Target language and the layout of the card

A translation submitted to an official procedure in Germany is made into German, and the small, densely packed structure of the licence card means every field – the category columns, the code cells, the date boxes – has to be reproduced together with its layout. All the fields on the front and the back of the card go into the translation; if the category-and-date table on the back is skipped, the Führerscheinstelle cannot see which class the driver gained and when. That table matters all the more because it determines whether an additional test is required for the conversion.

The German document issued at conversion requires a biometric photograph and a local application; those elements are no concern of the translation, which carries only the information already on the Turkish document. Whether the translation was made from a scanned copy or from the original is stated in the declaration; a blurred or incomplete scan makes even a flawless translation impossible to assess. Pictograms and symbols on the card are also explained where necessary, since they show which vehicle may be driven under which condition.

The validity window after residence is established

For a driver who settles in Germany, the Turkish licence counts as valid for a limited period after residence is established; once that window closes, the Umtausch must be complete before you may go on driving. How long the period runs and how it is calculated depend on the regulations, so confirm this with the Führerscheinstelle of your district before you start. The translation does not extend the window; it only makes sure the document is ready so that the conversion application can be filed in time. Planning the licence translation without leaving it to the last moment after you register your residence is therefore the safest course.

At the conversion application the Führerscheinstelle will in most cases retain the original licence and issue the German document in its place; its return is not always guaranteed. The declaration must therefore show clearly which copy the translation is attached to – the original document, or a certified copy obtained beforehand. Because residence and identity documents are usually filed alongside the application, the name and date of birth on the licence have to match those documents exactly; even a small difference in the Latin-alphabet spelling raises doubt about whether the two documents belong to the same person and can leave the file on hold.

The scope of the additional theory or practical test that may be required for certain classes at conversion can vary with the date on which the licence was issued and the class in which it was obtained, so the translation must reflect the date of issue and any history of classes in full. The Führerscheinstelle compares this information against Annex 11 (Anlage 11). Where changes of class appear on the back of the licence or in a supplementary document, these are included in the translation as well; an incomplete history of classes can lead the assessor to read the entitlement more narrowly than it is.

Umtausch and the reciprocity list (Anlage 11)

Licence conversion in Germany depends on the reciprocity table in Annex 11 (Anlage 11) to the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV); Türkiye appears in that table, but an additional theory or practical test may still be required for some classes. The Führerscheinstelle reads the Turkish licence through that annex, and the translation is the vehicle the official needs in order to place the classes and dates on the document within the German system. The original document may not be returned in the conversion procedure, which is why the declaration must show clearly which copy the translation is attached to.

A class code is not equated with a German class

Classes such as B, BE and C1 on a Turkish licence largely correspond to the European scheme; but equating a class directly with the German “Klasse B” in the translation amounts to establishing an equivalence of entitlement, and that power rests with the Führerscheinstelle. The translator carries the class and the restriction code across as they stand, adding an explanation in brackets where needed, but does not write the German class onto the document. The same principle applies to restrictions such as the requirement to wear glasses (code 01): the code is preserved and no comment is added.

Tourist use and conversion are separate routes

A driver coming to Germany for a short stay will usually get by carrying the licence together with an international driving permit (IDP); once residence is registered, however, the Umtausch becomes compulsory within a given period. The two situations call for different documents:

• Visits: an IDP is usually enough; a separate sworn translation may not be needed.
• Residence and conversion: a sworn translation of the licence and an assessment under Anlage 11 come into play.
• Additional tests by class: a theory or practical test may be required for some classes; the Führerscheinstelle decides this.

Sworn translator and the order of certification

A translation submitted to an official body in Germany must bear the stamp of a translator sworn by a court (öffentlich bestellter und beeidigter Übersetzer). As a driving licence is an administrative document, any apostille required is obtained from the governor’s office or the district governor’s office; the usual order is the apostille first, then the translation including the apostille. Germany is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention; even so, verify the current position from the official HCCH list. You can plan your case with us from our single office in Ankara Kızılay, review the cost by number of pages and documents on our pricing page, and upload your document to request a quote. This page is for general information; confirm the conditions for licence conversion with the Führerscheinstelle you apply to.