Update, 18 August 2026: Ukraine has been added to Germany's Anlage 11 FeV list. A Ukrainian licence in classes A1, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE is now converted without a theory exam and without a practical exam. Everything below reflects the new rule. If you read older guides, or your local Führerscheinstelle website still says both exams are required, the law changed and the website has not caught up yet.
What changed and where it is written
Anlage 11 to the Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung is the list of countries whose licences Germany accepts as equivalent. Until August 2026, Ukraine was not on it, which meant the full German theory and practical exams for anyone converting. The amendment that took effect on 18 August 2026 added Ukraine (and Montenegro) with "no" in both exam columns.
Two details from the law text worth knowing:
- For the car classes (B, BE) and motorcycle classes (A1, A) there is no exam and no extra medical step.
- For the truck and bus classes (C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE) you still have to prove fitness under Anlage 5 and eyesight under Anlage 6 before the German licence is issued. That is a medical and vision check, not a driving test.
You can read the current table yourself at gesetze-im-internet.de, Anlage 11 FeV.
If you are in Germany under temporary protection
Since 2022, EU-wide rules have allowed people who fled Ukraine under the temporary protection directive to keep driving on their valid Ukrainian licence without exchanging it, well beyond the usual 6-month limit. These rules are tied to your protection status and have been extended repeatedly.
With the Anlage 11 change, converting is now cheap and exam-free, so it is worth doing even if you are not yet forced to: a German licence does not depend on your protection status, and it saves the recurring question of whether your Ukrainian card is still recognised. Ask your Führerscheinstelle for the current position in writing before you decide.
The standard route (regular residence)
If you live in Germany on a regular residence permit, your Ukrainian licence is valid for 6 months after Anmeldung. Apply for the conversion inside that window. There is no exam, so there is no driving school and no TÜV or DEKRA appointment involved.
Step by step
- Book an appointment at the Führerscheinstelle for "ausländische Fahrerlaubnis umschreiben". In larger cities the wait is often several weeks, so book first and gather documents while you wait.
- Bring: passport or ID, Anmeldebestätigung, a biometric photo, your Ukrainian licence, and a translation if the office asks for one (ADAC or a sworn translator). Some offices also want a statement that your licence is not suspended in Ukraine; ask when you book.
- Pay the administrative fee. This is a normal Umschreibung fee set by your city, typically well under 100 euros. There are no exam fees.
- Hand in your Ukrainian licence when you collect the German one. Germany keeps or returns it depending on the office; in most cases it is returned to the issuing country.
- For C or D classes, bring the medical and eyesight certificates (Anlage 5 and 6) as well.
Common friction points
- Outdated information at the counter. The rule is new. If a caseworker insists on exams, refer to Anlage 11 FeV as amended on 18 August 2026 and ask them to check the current table. Take a printout.
- Documentation gaps: if your licence card lacks a visible original issue date or you cannot access Ukrainian records right now, tell the office early; they deal with this case regularly and can advise on acceptable evidence.
- Expired 6-month window. If you have lived here longer than 6 months on regular residence and never converted, you may not drive until the German licence is issued. The conversion itself is still exam-free.
Realistic budget
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Führerscheinstelle fee | around 40 to 90 euros, city dependent |
| Translation, if requested | 30 to 80 euros |
| Biometric photo | about 10 euros |
| Medical and eye check (C and D classes only) | 80 to 150 euros |
| Total for a car licence | well under 200 euros |
Compare that with the 850 to 2,250 euros the exam route used to cost. If a driving school offers you a "conversion package" for a Ukrainian car licence, you do not need it.
Driving in Germany after the swap
The paperwork is now easy; the roads are still different. Right-before-left at unmarked junctions, the shoulder check on every turn and lane change, and the 30 zones catch many experienced drivers from abroad. None of it is tested any more, but all of it is still policed and still causes accidents. Our free practice tools cover exactly these habits.
Keep reading
- The full country list and what each one needs: the complete conversion overview
- What a German licence costs if you do have to take the exams: German driving licence cost guide
- Priority rules explained: right before left in the German driving test