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Learn to Drive learning notes · 5 min read

Converting a Turkish driving licence in Germany (2026)

Turkey is not on Germany’s list for simplified conversion (Annex 11 FeV). To get a German licence you therefore pass the theory and practical test – but there are no compulsory lessons, and you can take the theory test in Turkish.

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Have you held your licence for at least two years?

Official list (Annex 11 FeV) ↗

Document checklist

Tick what you already have. Your driving licence office’s own list is final.

Cost estimator

The official test fees are the same everywhere; other prices vary by city – replace them with your own quotes.

Driving licence office feee.g. Mülheim an der Ruhr: €43.90 €
Translationestimate – enter your quote €
Passport photosestimate – enter your quote €
Eye test (optician)estimate – enter your quote €
First-aid courseestimate – enter your quote €
Theory test fee (TÜV/DEKRA)official fee (TÜV SÜD list, since 31 Jan 2024) €
Practical test fee (TÜV/DEKRA)official fee (TÜV SÜD list, since 31 Jan 2024) €
Driving school fee for presenting you at the testestimate – enter your quote €
Driving lessonsestimate – enter your quote
Estimated total€845.15

If you take the practical test in an automatic car, your licence is limited to automatics (code 78).

Step by step

  1. Register your address (Anmeldung). Your 6 months start around this date.
  2. Book an eye test and a first-aid course.
  3. Get your licence translated if your office asks for it.
  4. Apply at your driving licence office. Checking a foreign licence often takes more than four weeks.
  5. The office sends your test order to TÜV or DEKRA. Meanwhile, practise the theory test in your language.
  6. Pass the theory test, then the practical test with your driving school (in German).
  7. Collect your German driving licence.
01

Six months on your Turkish licence

After you take up residence in Germany – in practice, from your address registration – you can drive on your Turkish licence for six months. If you will stay less than 12 months, the driving licence office can extend this once by up to six months. After that, driving on the Turkish licence is a criminal offence. There is no application deadline, but you may not drive until you have the German licence.

02

Theory and practical test required

Because Turkey is not on Annex 11, you must pass both tests. Driving-school training or a minimum number of lessons is not required. You take the practical test in a driving-school car with a driving instructor.

03

Theory test in Turkish

The theory test is the same one new drivers take: 30 questions, no more than 10 error points. You can take it in Turkish, and our lessons, road signs and practice questions are available in Turkish too.

04

Practical test in German

The practical test is held in German. Lessons are optional but help you adjust to German traffic and the driving-school car. If you take the test in an automatic, your licence gets code 78 (automatic only).

05

Documents, costs and timing

Apply at the driving licence office where you live with your passport or ID, registration certificate, biometric photo, original Turkish licence, eye test and first-aid certificate; most offices also want a translation (e.g. ADAC). The office fee is usually €35–45; the official test fees are €24.99 (theory) and €129.83 (practical). Checking a foreign licence often takes more than four weeks, so apply early.

Your next step

Apply right after registering your address and practise the theory test in Turkish while you wait.

Put it into practice

Rule references

Sources checked on 22 September 2026, including the changes in force since 18 August 2026. Your driving licence office decides your individual case.

Original, AI-assisted supplementary learning content. Not the official question catalogue or a substitute for your driving instructor. Rule summaries are selective; consult the linked text for its full scope.

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