Driving Licence Translation in Germany: ADAC, Sworn Translators and Costs
If you are converting a foreign driving licence into a German one, you will probably need to have it translated. The driving licence translation in Germany is a formal document that proves to the licensing authority exactly what your licence allows you to drive — and it must be done by an authorised translator, not by yourself. This guide explains who needs a translation, where to get one, what the ADAC does, what a sworn translator charges, and how long the whole thing takes.
The translation is a small document, usually one or two pages, but it is an essential one: the licensing authority converts your licence on the basis of the translation, so a mistake in it can mean the wrong class in your German licence, a restriction you did not expect, or a delay while the translation is corrected. Understanding what the translation is and how to get a good one is worth five minutes of your time — and this article takes exactly that long to read.
What is a driving licence translation?
A driving licence translation is a certified translation of your foreign driving licence into German, carried out by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) or by the ADAC, the German automobile club. It translates the text on the front and the back of your licence: the name of the licence holder, the date of birth, the date of issue, the categories you are allowed to drive, any restrictions, and any endorsements.
The translator certifies that the translation is accurate and complete, and the document is stamped and signed. Because it is a certified document, the licensing authority can rely on it. The translation is not a new licence and it does not replace your licence: it is a companion document that is filed with your application. It is usually issued as a printed sheet you bring to your appointment, although some translators now offer a digital copy as well.
Do you need a translation for your licence?
It depends on the country that issued your licence and on the language it is in. If your licence is in a language other than German and English, you almost always need a translation. If your licence is in English, it depends on the authority: some authorities accept US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences without a translation because they are in English and the format is familiar, while others still require one. There is no single national rule, so the correct answer is to ask your local Führerscheinstelle before you pay for a translation.
Licences in the Latin alphabet are treated more leniently than licences in other scripts: a licence in Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese or Korean will always need a translation. And licences from EU and EEA countries do not need a translation at all, because the European card format is standardised. If in doubt, get a translation: it costs a few tens of euros and it removes one possible reason for a delay.
ADAC translation: how it works and what it costs
The ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), the German automobile club, offers a translation service for driving licences. It is one of the easiest ways to get a translation, because the ADAC is a large organisation with a standard process and a known price. You can order the translation by post or in person at an ADAC branch, and it is translated by a sworn translator working for the ADAC.
The price depends on the language and on whether you are a member: for members the cost is lower, typically around 35 to 55 euros, and for non-members around 55 to 85 euros. The turnaround time is about one to two weeks for a postal order, and faster if you go to a branch in person. You need to provide a copy of the front and back of your licence, and the ADAC will return the translation to you by post or in person. Some ADAC branches also offer an express service for an extra fee.
Sworn translators: how to find one and what they charge
A sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) is a translator who has been sworn in by a German court (Landgericht) and whose translations are accepted by the authorities without further certification. You can find one through the online register of your regional court, or through the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ), which has a search facility on its website by language and region.
The cost of a sworn translation of a driving licence is usually 30 to 80 euros, depending on the language, the region and the urgency. The translation usually takes two to five working days, although some translators offer an express service within 24 hours for a higher fee. When you contact a translator, send a scan of the front and back of your licence, tell them which authority the translation is for, and ask whether the translation will be sent to you by post or whether you need to collect it. A good translator will also tell you whether you need a translation at all, and whether the ADAC or a cheaper option would be better.
What the translation must contain
The translation must cover the whole licence: the holder’s name and date of birth, the date and place of issue, the categories with their issue and expiry dates, and every restriction or condition printed on the licence. It must also translate the stamps, the codes and any other text that appears on the card, and it must be clearly marked as a translation of a driving licence.
That completeness matters, because the authority uses the translation to decide what German class you get and what restrictions are entered. If a restriction on your original licence is not translated — for example, an automatic-only restriction — the German licence could be issued without it, which would be wrong and could cause problems later. A good translator will ask about your licence and check the meaning of each code.
How long does a translation take?
A normal translation takes two to five working days, and postal delivery adds another one or two days. The ADAC postal service takes about one to two weeks. If you need it faster, ask for an express service: many translators can do a driving licence in 24 hours, and the ADAC has an express option, for an extra fee of about 20 to 30 euros. Because the translation is a small part of a long process, there is rarely a need for express service — order it early and the timing will take care of itself. Our guide to driving licence costs includes the translation in the overall budget, so you can see how it fits into the total.
Which licences do NOT need a translation?
Licences from EU and EEA countries never need a translation, because the European card licence is standardised. Licences from the United Kingdom do not need a translation in most authorities, because they are in English and the format is well known, although some authorities still ask for one. US licences are in English, and many authorities accept them without a translation — but not all, and it is worth asking before you assume.
Licences from countries whose format is very different from the European one — for example, India, China, Brazil or the Middle East — almost always need a translation. And if your licence has additional documents, such as a separate paper counterpart or a licence with a booklet, those also need to be translated. The safest rule: if your licence is not in German, ask the authority.
Translation vs international driving permit
The translation and the International Driving Permit (IDP) are not the same document, and they are not interchangeable. The IDP is a booklet that translates your licence into several languages for use while travelling — it is useful for driving in Germany as a visitor, but it is not accepted instead of a translation for the conversion. The translation is a certified document made for the German authority and is the one used for the conversion. If you already have an IDP, it can be useful to show it to the translator, because it can clarify abbreviations and codes, but it does not replace the certified translation.
What to do if you lose the translation
If you lose the translation before your appointment, the translator who made it can usually issue a replacement — sometimes free of charge, sometimes for a small fee. It is worth keeping the translator’s contact details and the date of the translation, and a scan of the translation as a back-up. If you lose the foreign licence itself, the situation is more serious: you will need a replacement from the issuing country, and if that takes a long time, your conversion will be delayed. Our article on a lost or expired eye test certificate also explains what to do when a document goes missing during the process.
Translation mistakes that delay your application
Not every translation is accepted. The translation must be done by a sworn translator — a translator who has been sworn in by a German court, a vereidigter Übersetzer. A translation by a friend, by your driving school or by an online tool is not accepted, even if the English is perfect. The authority checks the translator’s stamp and signature, and a translation without them is sent back. You can find a sworn translator through the online directory of the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators, or through the ADAC, which offers translations for many languages.
Every page of your licence must be translated, including the back. The authority checks the licence categories, their validity dates and any codes or restrictions, and a translation that only covers the front page will be rejected as incomplete. If your licence has a paper counterpart or an additional page with the categories, include those too. The translator will ask for a copy of both sides — send a clear scan, not a photograph taken at an angle, because a blurry scan can mean a wrong entry in the translation.
Your name must be spelled exactly as it appears in your passport. That sounds obvious, but it is the most common mistake: a middle name left out, a surname with an umlaut written without it, or a first name spelled differently from the passport. The authority compares the translation with your passport, and any mismatch means a new translation. Check the spelling yourself before you send the documents, and tell the translator if the name on your licence differs from the name on your passport.
The class codes are the second most common problem. The translation must list every class on your licence, with the date it was issued and the date it expires. If your licence has a class that the translator does not recognise — for example, a US motorcycle endorsement or a British category that no longer exists — ask the translator to list it as it appears and add a note, rather than leaving it out. A missing class in the translation is a missing class in your German licence, and it is much harder to add a class afterwards than to translate it correctly the first time.
Some licences also need an apostille or a legalisation. That applies to licences from countries that are not part of the EU or the European Economic Area, and it depends on the country: for a US licence you usually only need a translation, while for licences from some other countries the authority asks for an apostille on the licence copy. Ask the authority before you pay for the translation — a phone call can save you a second trip and a second fee.
The practical details are simple: a sworn translation costs between €45 and €90, depending on the length of the licence and the language, and it takes two to five working days. The ADAC offers translations for the most common languages, including English, at a fixed price, and many sworn translators accept scans by email. Keep the original and the translation together, and bring both to the authority — the office checks them side by side, and the translation is only valid together with the original licence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a translation of my driving licence in Germany?
It depends on the issuing country and the authority. Licences in a language other than German usually need a translation, unless the authority accepts them in English. EU licences never need one. Ask your local Führerscheinstelle before you pay.
How much does a driving licence translation cost?
About 30 to 85 euros. The ADAC charges around 35 to 55 euros for members and 55 to 85 euros for non-members. A sworn translator charges about 30 to 80 euros, depending on the language and the urgency.
How long does a driving licence translation take?
Two to five working days from a sworn translator, one to two weeks by post from the ADAC. An express service is usually possible within 24 hours for an extra fee.
Can I translate my driving licence myself?
No. The translation must be done by a sworn translator or by the ADAC. A self-made translation is not accepted by the licensing authority.
Does the ADAC translate driving licences?
Yes. The ADAC offers a translation service for members and non-members, by post or in person at a branch, with a standard price and a known turnaround time.
Conclusion: a small document, a big difference
The driving licence translation is one of the smallest documents in your conversion, but it is the one that tells the authority what you are allowed to drive. Whether you get it from the ADAC or from a sworn translator, order it early, check that it covers every category and restriction on your licence, and keep it with your other documents. For 30 to 85 euros and a few days’ wait, it removes one of the most common reasons for a delay — and it means your German licence will have the right classes on it.