Ukrainian citizens who have found temporary protection in Germany due to the Russian aggression now have the opportunity to significantly simplify the legalization of their stay. In August 2026, Ukraine was officially included in Annex 11 (Anlage 11) of the German Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV). This decision allows holders of national driving licences to exchange them for German equivalents through a simplified procedure, completely avoiding the need to retake both theoretical and practical exams at driving schools.
Exchange Conditions and Vehicle Categories
The new rules cover most standard licence categories, but they do have several important limitations. For instance, categories B1 (quadricycles and tricycles) and T (tractors) are not eligible for exchange under the simplified scheme. Furthermore, the Ukrainian category A1 corresponds to the German category AM upon transfer. For professional drivers applying for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE, the procedure additionally requires a medical certificate and a vision test to confirm professional fitness.
Application Procedure and Required Documents
To carry out the document exchange, applicants must contact the local driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) at their main place of registration, or in some municipalities through the Bürgeramt. As practice shows in the case of Alina, a Ukrainian living in Germany, the standard document package includes a foreign passport, a temporary protection document, a valid Ukrainian driving licence, and photographs. Notably, under the simplified procedure, applicants are generally not required to provide a notarized translation of their licence or undergo additional general medical examinations.
Financial Costs, Timeframes, and the Fate of Old Documents
The estimated cost of obtaining a German driving licence is about 80 euros, and the production process for the plastic document takes up to three weeks, during which applicants are issued a temporary A4 paper document. It is worth noting that German competent authorities mandatory confiscate the Ukrainian licence upon issuing the new one and store it in the relevant agency for three years before destruction. Information about the exchange is automatically forwarded to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority and the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs service center, where the old document is officially declared invalid.
Controversial Data
Despite general federal regulations, significant decentralization remains regarding costs, timeframes, and the exact list of accepted documents. Local agency representatives and experts note that the requirements of German state and municipal authorities (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) may vary significantly depending on the specific city or federal state. While some municipalities accept documents directly, others require prior appointment via Bürgeramt or online portals, causing temporary delays for applicants.
