Germany Makes It Easier for Ukrainians to Swap Their Driver’s Licenses

New Rules Simplify Converting Ukrainian Driver’s Licenses in Germany

According to Главком: Germany’s Bundesrat has approved a measure to streamline the process for Ukrainians to exchange their driver’s licenses for German ones. The change adds Ukraine to Appendix 11 of Germany’s Driver’s License Regulations (FeV). Holders of Ukrainian licenses can now swap them without taking any driving tests, though the process is not automatic. The decision was passed on July 10, 2026, and will take effect once published in the Federal Law Gazette.

During its 1067th plenary session, the Bundesrat backed the inclusion of Ukraine in Appendix 11, allowing individuals with Ukrainian driver’s licenses in the following categories to exchange them without theoretical or practical exams:

• A1
• A
• B
• BE
• C1
• C1E
• C
• CE
• D1
• D1E
• D
• DE

Notably, the Ukrainian A1 category will correspond to the German AM category.

Requirements and Conditions for the Exchange

It’s important to note that drivers of trucks and buses holding categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE must prove their medical fitness and meet vision standards. To obtain a German B category without holding a Ukrainian B category, applicants will still need to pass exams. There is no automatic conversion of licenses, and the new rules do not apply to fake, revoked, expired, or confiscated documents. Existing requirements for minimum age, medical fitness, vision, and legal residency remain in force.

EU Regulation 2022/1280 already permits Ukrainians to use their licenses within the EU without conversion, but this latest Bundesrat decision introduces further options for Ukrainian drivers living in Germany. The changes will come into effect the day after their publication in the Federal Law Gazette, opening up new opportunities for Ukrainian residents in the country.

This decision is significant for Ukrainian citizens because it simplifies the path to obtaining a German driver’s license, which can aid their integration into German society and the labor market.

It also reflects Germany’s support for Ukrainians amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and their need to adapt to new living conditions abroad.

As Germany introduces these new measures for Ukrainian drivers, it's essential to consider the broader implications of licensing regulations in the region. Following Ukraine's EU accession, the nation has taken steps to limit the validity of domestic driver’s licenses, impacting how Ukrainian citizens navigate their driving privileges. For more details on these changes and their potential effects, see our article on the restrictions placed on Ukrainian driver’s licenses.