My foreign driving licence stops counting after six months
The situation
You have been driving on your home-country licence, but you have heard it is only valid in Germany for the first six months — and after that you could be driving illegally unless you convert it.
The way out
Check your country and your clock now — driving on a lapsed-validity licence is a real offence.
- EU/EEA licences are fine — they stay valid until their own expiry. This problem is mainly for non-EU/EEA holders.
- Non-EU licences are generally valid for six months after you take up residence (roughly your Anmeldung date). After that you must convert (Umschreiben) to a German licence to keep driving.
- Whether you must re-take tests depends on your country. Some have full agreements (no test), others need the theory and/or practical exam. Check your country's status before booking anything.
- Apply at the Führerscheinstelle with your licence, a certified translation or classification (often from ADAC), a biometric photo, an eye test, and a first-aid course certificate.
- Start early — the process and any required lessons take weeks to months; do not let the six-month window lapse first.
Rule for next time: look up your country's conversion rules in your first month — the six-month clock starts whether or not you know about it.
General information, not legal advice. If your case has deadlines or legal stakes, free migration counselling (Migrationsberatung) exists in every city — use it.