Among the priority issues for many newcomers in any country is setting themselves up to be able to drive.
For people coming to Germany from countries that have reciprocal agreements in place, its relatively easy to swap their driver's licence from back home for a German one.
But for US citizens this is a bit more complicated depending on which state you come from.
However, anyone with a valid US driver's licence can drive in Germany for the first six months after entering the country.
Additionally, people who plan to live in Germany for less than a year can legally drive here for up to 364 days with their US licence.
Here's what you need to know.
Six months free of hassle
Since 1999, German law dictates that US driver’s licence holders need to be in possession of a German license six months after entering the country if they wish to continue driving.
This means, however, that your US licence is valid for the first six months of your stay in Germany if you've just moved here. So if you had plans to take a road trip around the country to get to know the place, you may want to try and do so early on.
This also means that tourists and visitors from the US who don't plan to establish residence in Germany can use their US licences to rent cars or drive in the country during their stay.
READ ALSO: Can I rent a car in Germany with my foreign driver's licence?
Up to 364 days for short-term residents
In some cases, US licences can be used for more than six months in Germany -- specifically for US citizens who plan to stay in Germany for more than six months but less than a year.
In this case you'll need to go to notify your local driver’s registration office (Führerscheinstelle) before the end of your first six months in the country.
They'll need an official translation of your US driver’s license, as well as proof that you are leaving Germany before a year has passed. This proof could be a return ticket to the US or a work contract with an expiration date before the year is up, for example.
Reciprocal agreements
For anyone moving from the US to Germany indefinitely, once you've passed the six month mark you'll need a German licence to drive in the Bundesrepublik.
How easily you can get one largely depends on which state you've come from.Â
For drivers from the 27 states (and Puerto Rico) that have licence exchange agreements with Germany, you can effectively swap your US licence for a German one.Â
To do so, you'll need to visit the Führerscheinstelle with your original licence, as well as an official German translation and your passport and a few other documents listed here.
READ ALSO: Which US states have driver's licence exchange agreements with Germany?
Drivers from one of the 10 states that have partial reciprocity agreements in place will still need to pass a German paper test before they can get a German licence, but can skip driver's school classes and the behind the wheel test.
Meanwhile, for drivers from one of the 13 states that have no reciprocity agreement in place (including California and New York), your US licence is effectively meaningless in Germany once six months have passed. You will need to pass both the written and road tests to gain a German licence.
According to the US Embassy, you aren't required to take theoretical or behind-the-wheel lessons, but many driving schools will recommend that you take at least one or two lessons to give yourself a better chance of passing the test.
READ ALSO: 'Not worth waiting' - When will the cost to get a drivers' licence in Germany fall?
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