Using a foreign driving licence in Germany If in doubt, it is best to always check with your local driving licensing authority ( Führerscheinstelle - usually housed within your local citizens' office) to see how things operate in your federal state. Despite the fact that driving licensing laws are set nationally, states tend to apply the law differently on a local level. Like most bureaucratic procedures in Germany, the process for issuing or exchanging a licence can vary greatly between federal states ( Länder). Expats who have recently arrived in Germany can continue to use their foreign driving licence for anything up to 10 years, depending on where it was issued.
