From 18 August, Ukrainians in Germany will be able to exchange their Ukrainian driving licences for German ones without having to take a theory or practical test. The decree was published in the Bundesgesetzblatt on 17 August. The simplified procedure applies to categories A1, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE, but does not remove certain conditions for professional drivers.
Briefly about the main points
- The exchange rules came into force on 18 August 2026.
- No tests are required for categories A1 to DE.
- An application for a replacement licence should be submitted to the local driving licence authority.
- For heavy-duty categories, there are medical requirements and an eyesight test.
- Rights lost whilst under temporary protection are replaced by a document with code 99.01.
Ukraine has been added to the list for simplified exchange
Germany has included Ukraine on the list of countries for which a fully simplified procedure for exchanging driving licences is in place. The relevant amendments were introduced by a decree published on 17 August.
Under the new procedure, holders of Ukrainian driving licences in the categories listed can obtain a German licence without having to sit two tests. However, the exchange is not automatic: the driver must submit an application to their local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and confirm that their foreign licence is valid.
What are the remaining restrictions for lorries and buses?
For categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE, medical fitness certificates and vision tests remain valid. German driving licences for these categories are issued for a period of no more than five years.
Drivers planning to carry out commercial goods or passenger transport must also meet the professional qualification requirements. If Ukrainian categories C or D were obtained without first holding category B, the German category B must be obtained by passing a theory and practical test; after that, categories C or D may be issued without further tests.
Replacement of a lost identity card whilst under temporary protection
Ukrainians under temporary protection who have lost their driving licence or had it stolen can obtain a German licence bearing the special code 99.01. To do so, they must be officially registered in Germany.
The application procedure, list of documents, processing times and fees may vary depending on the local driving licence authority. Ukrainian has also been added to the list of languages available for the theory test, which may be useful for those who still need to sit it.
