Only driving licences from so-called third countries, i.e. countries that are not members of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA), have to be transferred. In addition to the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are also members of the EEA. The Third EU Driving Licence Directive applies to holders of driving licences from EU and EEA states. According to this directive, all driving licences are mutually recognised within the EU and the EEA.
The obligation to transfer driving licences also applies, for example, to Switzerland and, since "Brexit", to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Anyone who has their foreign driving licence transferred must observe a number of rules.
Three groups of countries are distinguished for the transcription:
States listed in Schedule 11 of the Driving Licence Ordinance, where no theoretical or practical test is required. In some cases, an eye test is required. In some cases, the test is not waived for all driving licence classes.
Several US states and territories listed in Schedule 11 of the Driving Licence Ordinance where a theory test is required. A practical test is not required.
All other states not listed in Schedule 11 of the Driving Licence Ordinance. In the case of driving licences from these states, a theoretical and practical test must be passed before the licence can be transferred.
You can find Annex 11 to the Driving Licence Ordinance here in German: Zur Anlage 11
Your local driving licence authority can give you more detailed information. They will also tell you the exact costs of the transfer. They are usually between 35 and 50 EURO. If additional examinations and tests are required, the costs are considerably higher.
The foreign driving licence is usually confiscated or returned to the issuing authority abroad. It will be noted on the new German driving licence that it is a transfer of a driving licence from a third country.