Driving and Driver’s licences - South Africans in Germany

Your Guide to Driving Legally in Germany

Visiting Germany: If you’re visiting for a short period, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid South African driver’s licence. You can apply for the IDP at the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA).
Staying Longer: For stays longer than six months, you can drive legally in Germany using your South African licence and your IDP for the first six months (185 days from the date of entry into Germany). After that, you’ll need to convert your South African licence into a German one (Führerschein).

Important: Rules and requirements may change, so always check the latest information using the links we’ve provided or consult your local traffic department’s website.

You do not need to take the test, you can just convert your SA licence to a German one.
Some states now require a first aid course, so please do so before you apply to convert your licence if required. It is always good to attend one anyway. Most Driving schools (Fahrschule) offer first aid courses
As a rule, you need to translate your licence into German. This can be done at your local ADAC office. Note that this will depend on the Bundesland or office, so always make sure if you need to have your documents translated.
Your foreign driver’s license can only be converted if you were a registered resident in the issuing country for at least six months. This means that if you obtained the license while on vacation abroad, it cannot be exchanged for a full German driver’s license
In recent months, there have been reports that some cities are now requiring proof of “Confirmation of South African Driving Licence”. An example of this is in Böbblingen. Rather be as prepared as you can be, and ask if they need it before you apply for a German licence. This Confirmation can be requested from the RTMC, see more info from DIRCO. You can also use companies to assist you, see our marketplace for more information. If you are still in South Africa, request one and bring it along with you.
The conversion is done either at the Bürgerdienste or the Führerscheinstelle of your town. You can search for Führerscheinstelle + Your Town, or search on Ortsdienst.de. Tip!! When you go to register at the Bürgerampt/Ausländerbehorde, ask them where you must apply for your German driver’s licence.
For the transfer of Type C and D licences, you might need additional documents, for example, a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate

What do you need to apply

You need the following to apply to convert your South African licence to a German driver’s licence

Passport and Residence card (Aufenthaltstitel)
Photo, the same type as for a passport photo
Your valid South African driver's licence card
German translation of your South African licence, if needed
Confirmation of your Anmeldung - if you do not apply in your home town.
First aid course if required.
Copy of excerpt/confirmation from the issuing driving licence authority abroad with translation (Kopie Auszug/Bestätigung von der ausstellenden Führerscheinbehörde im Ausland mit Übersetzung ) if required
Applicable Fees

International Drivers licence - issued in Germany

During your licence application in Germany, you will need to submit your SA licence to the German authorities, which means you will need an International Drivers licence to drive in South Africa.
According to regulation 110 of the National Road Traffic Act, a foreign licence is only valid in South Africa if it has been issued in one of South Africa’s official languages.
The German licence is therefore not valid and you should have an International licence.

You can apply for an International licence at the Führerscheinstelle of either the Stadtverwaltung, Bürgerampt, Rathaus, or Landratsamt, depending on where you live. It is recognised in 200 countries.
Here is a list of countries where you will need an International Licence once you have your German(EU) licence.

You can find the application forms online or at the office where you apply
You will need a biometric photo and your German driver’s licence
The fees are around €16

Sie können den Internationalen Führerschein bei den Straßenverkehrsämtern (Führerscheinstelle) an Ihrem Wohnort beantragen.
Führerscheinstelle ist,

wenn Sie in einem Stadtkreis wohnen: die Stadtverwaltung
wenn Sie in einem Landkreis wohnen: das Landratsamt

Rules and reciprocal licence agreements for each country

Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz
Federal Ministry of Tansport, building and Urban Development
Fact sheet for holders of foreign driving licences – Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digatle Infrastruktur
Validity of foreign licences in Germany
Validity of German licences in other coutries

Renewing your SA drivers licence card

You need to renew your licence in person in South Africa.
Please take note that “your South African driving licence card is your valid proof that you have a South African Driving Licence.
When your driving licence card has expired, it does not mean that your driving licence has expired. Only your valid proof of such a licence has expired”

Applicants outside the borders of the RSA whose Driving Licence Cards have expired or were lost/stolen and who are not in a position to return to the RSA to have the licence renewed:

According to DIRCO – “The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a corporation of the Department of Transport, is in a position to issue a confirmation letter should such an applicant have a valid licence.
This is established by verifying the applicant’s South African identification number on the National Traffic Information System.
The letter will serve as proof that the applicant has a valid licence and this will enable them to convert to a foreign driving licence in the country of current residence.
Please note:
The confirmation letter cannot be interpreted as a driving licence when produced to a law enforcement official.

You can send an email to dlconfirmations@rtmc.co.za.
Your request must include your contact numbers (including email address), a copy of your ID or a copy of your driving licence.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will upon request, investigate, and print a copy of the licence required and a Letter of Confirmation of the licence. This letter reflects the date that the licence was first issued. Kindly note that the person collecting the letter must provide acceptable identification and may also arrange for a courier to collect it.
You can ask someone to collect the original from their office in Centurion, or use one of the companies listed on our marketplace to collect, apostille and courier it to you, it can take around 2 months.

More info from DIRCO

Contact info RTMC

Companies that can assist with documentation form South Africa

Docs4U

RSA DOCUMENTS

Apostil

Doc Assist

Vocabulary

English	German
citizens’ office	das Bürgeramt
City hall	das Rathaus
Conversion of a Foreign Driver’s Licence	Umschreibung einer ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis
Driver’s Licence	der Führerschein
driver’s licence office	die Führerscheinstelle
Driving School	die Fahrschule
first-aid course	der Erste-Hilfe-Kurs
Permanent Residence card	der Personalausweis
Translation	die Übersetzung

Resources on the web

Europa.eu
www.german-way.com
ADAC – officially the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (General German Automobile Club), is Europe’s largest motoring association. The object of the ADAC is “the representation, promotion and advocacy of motoring, motorsport and tourism interests
Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr

Car Insurance

A Guide to Vehicle Insurance in Germany: What You Need to Know Finding the best car insurance can be overwhelming, especially in a country known for its efficient roads and strict regulations. Choosing the right coverage for your vehicle is crucial. You cannot register your vehicle without having insurance. Types of Vehicle Insurance in German Germany offers three main types of vehicle insurance, each providing different levels of coverage: Haftpflichtversicherung Third-Party Liability Insurance This is the

Winter Tyres

The winter conditions in Germany can make the roads dangerous and slippery to drive on.Winter conditions are for example black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or frost. (Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eis- und Reifglätte). According to German law (November 2010), you are not allowed to drive without Winter tyres on your vehicle in winter conditions. This makes it a situational requirement (Situative Winterreifenpflicht). – Section 2, Paragraph 3a of the Road Traffic Regulations / §

Road Rules

Driving on German roads is very well regulated and if you don’t adhere to the rules you will get penalty points against your name and hefty fines. Your licence can be suspended when you reach a certain amount of points (currently 8). Ignorance of road rules is not an excuse. The ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) website has the following information: a list of the Traffic signs – the descriptions are in German the Traffic Rules(in German) The