Driving licence
How long your Canadian licence is valid
After you take up ordinary residence in Germany, a non-EU/EEA licence stays valid for six months (§ 29 (1) FeV); the authority can extend by up to six months on request, if you make it credible that your residence in Germany lasts no more than 12 months (§ 29). You need a translation or international driving permit (§ 29 (2)). § 29 and § 31 set no later conversion deadline we could find; after six months you may not drive on the Canadian licence. Convert early.
Conversion (§ 31 FeV, Anlage 11)
For Canada, Anlage 11 lists the provinces below, each with no theory and no practical test. In principle only class B is issued (footnote 1); the exception is BC class 6 (footnote 10).
| Province | Listed class |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 5 |
| British Columbia | 5, 6, 7 (Novice: vision test still needed; class 6 becomes A2 under 24, otherwise A) |
| Manitoba | 5; 4/3/2/1 Stage F (Stage L/A learner excluded) |
| New Brunswick | 5, 7 Stage 2 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon | listed |
| Ontario | "G" only (G2 is not listed) |
| Quebec | 5 |
| Saskatchewan | 1 and 5 |
| Nunavut | not listed; expect theory and practical tests |
- Learner or provisional licences are not converted. Check the exact class names and footnotes in Anlage 11.
- You hand in the Canadian licence; it is stored or returned. Berlin authority: the licence office (LABO); appointment, fee and papers on service.berlin.de.
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