Driving licence

Kenyan licence in Germany: six months, no conversion exemption, full test.

How long your Kenyan licence is valid

If you take up your ordinary residence in Germany, a licence from outside the EU/EEA remains valid for six months (§ 29 (1) FeV). The licence authority may extend by up to six more months only if you credibly stay no longer than twelve months in total. A foreign licence needs a translation or an international driving permit (§ 29 FeV).

Conversion (§ 31 FeV)

• Conversion without a full test is possible only for states listed in Anlage 11 FeV. Kenya is not listed. The Kenyan licence therefore does not simply convert: you take the full German driving test (theory and practical).
• After the six months you may not drive in Germany on the Kenyan licence. Plan the test early.
• Authority in Berlin: the licence office of the Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO); check appointment, fee and documents on service.berlin.de.
• Professional drivers (bus, truck) need further qualifications. No official programme or exemption for Kenyan bus drivers was found: see Migration agreement.